Based loosely on a comic book written by Mark Millar, Wanted is a film that never renders itself mute, afraid or tame and exists as grown-up action amusement, happily doing away characters in bloody and brutal ways, exuding a certain glee all the while. Unapologetically violent in such a fantastic way that the graphic nature of gunplay and death remains comic book, to the point of diminishing shock. And that’s a compliment, not a complaint
Wanted is filled with spectacular action sequences and distinct tips of the hat to the Wachowski Brothers Matrix phenomenon, but because director Timur Bekmambetov exalts the grimy world in which these super assassins perpetrate inexorable justice upon targets chosen by fate itself, he manages to avoid the dull trap of copy-cat and creates a satisfying alternative exploit of the Matrix-esque style and technique.
Director Bekmambetov Gets Deep Into the Grit of the City
Bekmambetov cut his teeth on two of Russia's most successful films, Night Watch and its sequel Day Watch - both fantasy pictures that zipped philosophically through the balance and battle between light and dark; good and evil, with frenetic action and kinetic pacing. His style is as distinct as Cameron’s, Bay’s or Raimi’s , with a penchant for scene transitions that zip the camera at high speed through the tall buildings of the city. He has an odd affection for the disorder of people’s lives and the world they inhabit; almost as a way of showing that people live in small bubbles of life while a grand and fantastic existence operates just outside their field of view. As a storyteller, Bekmambetov enjoys smashing the bubble of his lead character, pushing them from everyday loser to something almost mythic.
The loser here is Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), a disillusioned office worker prone to panic attacks as he churns away at life in his useless job, surrounded by an obnoxious boss, cheating girlfriend and a smarmy best friend. But his meaningless existence comes to an abrupt end when he approached by the always beautiful Angelina Jolie, playing an assassin named Vox.
He is reluctantly inducted into the order of assassins known as 'The Fraternity', with Sloan (a stern and admirable Morgan Freeman) in charge. Taught, trained and turned loose, Wesley is a top talent assassin. But all is not as it seems. It’s at this stage of the film that the thrill, energy and comedy take a backseat to a film exhausting the pillars of a rather standard plot. Rather than the pervasive and unrelenting action, we are moved expectedly to the showdown that, while satisfying, doesn't deliver what the first half of the film promises. But that doesn’t diminish what the film ultimately aims for – foot to the floor action filled with surprise, wit and edge.
Wanted Succeeds with Perfectly Imperfect Effects
Loftier goals of destiny, power, morality and purpose are rails upon which the plot unfolds, but it never really amounts to a serious consideration of what they mean. This film is fast paced with absurd action pieces, curving bullets, impossible sniper shots and derailing trains. Those expensive sequences avoid the kind of polish and perfection that trips up our suspension of disbelief, and thankfully doesn’t give us time to marvel at the craftsmanship of the special effect, just the ‘wow’ of the moment.
The gritty, playful, almost madcap imagination infused in the film helps create a universe just outside of our own without ever leaving this one and hits its target (from a building half a city away).
