Based
on the graphic novel of the same name, Wanted opens with Matrix-esque
gun battle, complete with a determined man in a dark suit leaping
from one building to another, before launching into a bullet
fuelled fight. The film then cuts to yet another scene that
brings the Matrix to mind – an average looking office
where we meet our “hero” Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy)
Gibson’s life is going nowhere fast. His boss hates him,
his girlfriend is cheating on him with his co-called best friend
and he keeps getting panic attacks. Soon things begin to look
up when he meets the mysterious Fox (Jolie). She tells him that
she knew his father and that he is set to inherit three million
dollars. Fox then rescues Gibson from an assassination attempt
and tells him that it is his destiny to become a super-assassin
with The Fraternity, a secret organization of weavers (yes –
people who make clothes) led by the enigmatic Sloan (Morgan
Freeman). .
Directed
by Timur Bekmambetov in his English language debut
- Wanted is a 14 year-old boy’s fantasy - being
given $3 million, a gun and Angelina Jolie as company.
Your viewpoint of the film will depend on how well
you can suspend disbelief and your opinions on casual
violence.
Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is an account manager
who is unhappy working a dead end job, headed towards
a dead end in his life. Wesley is approached by Fox
(Angelina Jolie) who tells him his father was part
of an elite team of Assassins known as The Fraternity.
Wesley
is introduced to the leader of the Fraternity, Sloan
(Morgan Freeman) who informs him that he's been recruited
to assassinate Cross (Thomas Kretschmann), the man
who killed his father . Our hero also meets the other
colorful members of The Fraternity played by Common,
Marc Warren, and Dato Bakhtadze. Each member providing
Wesley training in their own specific field to help
prepare him for his showdown with Cross.
At first James McAvoy is hard to believe as a hero,
but believable as the guy who hates his life. As the
movie progresses he grows into the hero role. Some
of the incredible action sequences help enhance that
image. By the end of the film viewers found him more
likeable than they did annoying. It's easy to cheer
for the underdog
Angelina Jolie has done very well in the movie. She
has the unique ability to look very attractive yet
still pull off that tough girl persona all in the
same scene.
If
you like action, violence, language, some brief nudity
from Angelina Jolie, it is a must see. It doesn't
have the greatest plot or the coolest storyline. The
movie is not without it's funny moments or great one-liners.
The action, fight scenes, and dialogue should keep
you entertained for the whole film. There are some
original action sequences in the film that will definitely
have you buzzing in the theater.
Starring
: James Mc Avoy, Angelina Lolie, Morgan Freeman,
Thomas Kretschmann Directed
by : Timur Bekmambetov
Hancock
"Hancock," directed by the versatile Peter
Berg ("Friday Night Lights," "The Kingdom"),
is a welcome departure in this summer of superheroes,
although not always a well-executed one. Director Peter
Berg (The Rundown and The Kingdom) is usually reliable
with the camera, but this time you can't tell if he wants
this to be a comedy, a drama or an all-out superhero battle
of the immortals.
The action comedy trades on Smith's tremendous appeal,
talent and charm but suffers from a nastiness in both
tone and dialogue, including a favorite Hancock threat
involving one man's head and another's backside.
A child is made to witness some horrific moments, but
the movie's kryptonite is that it feels like an abridged
version of itself, with its final third especially problematic.
Plus, a bonus scene that plays with the end credits is
funnier than anything that came before.
All of that could change when
a do-gooder named Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman) is rescued
by Hancock when his car is stuck on the tracks with a
train barreling toward him. Ray invites Hancock to dinner
at his house, where his wife, Mary (Charlize Theron),
nervously eyes him, and his son, Aaron (Jae Head), immediately
befriends him.
Ray, an image consultant by trade, is a softie who wants
to save the world. "It can't feel good that people
hate you," he tells Hancock, offering him a makeover
and getting more than both men bargained for, in the end.
Will Smith never looks comfortable
as the character John Hancock. Smith is sure to have a
major hit on his hands with this film, but it will put
a slight blemish on that Teflon image he has. Of course
he has Seven Pounds later this year, which could gain
him some Oscar talk, so I don't think he will be hurt
for too long.
John Hancock (Will Smith) may be a superhero, but he's
sad, surly, scowling and usually soused. Not to mention
unshaven, the real sign that he's not like Superman or
Spidey or Iron Man or the Hulk.
Starring: Will
Smith and Jason Bateman, Charlize Theron. Directed by : Peter Berg