Wanted (2008)

	Also Known As: -
	Year of first release: 2008
	Director: Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch, Day Watch, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter)
	Actors: Angelina Jolie (Tomb Rider, Beowulf), James McAvoy (X-men: First Class), Morgan Freeman (Deep Impact), Thomas Kretschmann (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
	Country: USA, D
	Genre: Action
	Conditions of visioning: 28.12.2017, VOD, 32" TV screen
Synopsis: Virtually a nobody, disappointing by his boring life, Wesley (McAvoy) learns that his father he had never known is in fact part of a secret society of assassins.
Review: Russian director Timur Bekmambetov made a strong impression with his dyptic Night/Day Watch (2004-2006) that were not hiding the strong influence by The Matrix, but showing a different and Russian version of it. He borrowed many elements from the American hit, like the fact that people who "know" the truth were sunglasses, and I found it funny that in Wanted - his first American movie- he made fun of that (the main characters holds sunglasses when he "learns" the truth just to say then "bad idea"). The story fits what he was known for, and there is ample room for visual extravaganza which the director uses accordingly (bending bullets, distorted vision, car chases...) but I found without abusing. During this new visioning I realized that the background for the secret society is hardly believable, as are their motivations and most of all their lack of empathy towards their victims. But this is quickly overlooked if you don't take the movie for more than what it is: adrenaline-filled entertainment. I like how it plays with the contrast between the looser Wesley and the ultra-sexy and deadly Fox (Jolie), in addition to other good actors: Freeman, Kretschmann, Terence Stamp and the excellent Scotsman David O'Hara (Braveheart, Doomsday, Cowboys & Aliens, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV-series). Note that beyond directing, Bekmambetov has produced many Action movies like 9, Apollo 18, The Darkest Hour, Hardcore Henry... that I usually like for their fresh point of view.
Rating: 6 /10