Dawn and I saw “Wanted” (James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman) Sunday. It was just released June 27th so I won’t be a spoiler. Suffice it to say that Angelina Jolie is stunning as always. That said, I gave the movie just three stars.
First, you should know that the film is based on Mark Millar’s dark comic (excuse me, graphic novel) series. Without giving away too much, it tells the tale of an apathetic nobody’s (read disaffected, cube-dwelling drone’s) transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. It mixes a little of The Matrix, a bit of X-Men and Da Vinci Code, and a splash of Hellraiser, and delivers a fun, albeit reheated, ride.
The result straddles the narrow line between silly and plausible, using ample visual effects to trick you into lowering your expectations and settling for little more than a fun ride, and then hits you with plot twists that make you think, “Whoa.” Or at least, “Huh?”
The plot has its share of gaping holes, but for those who like shutting off their brains but discovering they might be thinking deeply anyway, Wanted is a worthy diversion. It’s not nearly as complex as it pretends to be, but did I mention that Angelina Jolie is stunning? Just don’t bring the kids (bloody violence, language) and don’t drink a big soda; the movie is an hour and 50 minutes long.