Wanted

[Highly rated reviewer]

Glorious 18 rated action-fest!

With the director of Nightwatch and Daywatch, the two wildly bizarre Russian vampire flicks, behind the lens it was obvious that this film was going to deliver visually, and it is more than safe to say it does just that. From the offset we are thrust into a world of bizarre physics, impossible feats, and glorious violence. A lot of the styles of the Nightwatch films are drawn into this adaptation, delivering a film which could have just been yet-another-Matrix-wannabe, but instead steps into its own shoes and packs one heck of a punch.

As the everyman, put-upon accounts manager who finds himself drawn into the dark world of assasins leagues, James McAvoy was a curious choice. Having non of the mannerisms of the character he was to play from the comic series, it was unsure if he could fit the role. Instead of trying to fit it, he tailors it to himself, and this helps you believe in him at the start. He plays 'normal' so well, that the struggle for him to become the best assassin, and to perform impossible tasks such as bending bullets, is one which will have you rallying behind him and cheering at all his achievements. A lot more convincing that Keanu's 'I know kung fu!'

The support cast are fabulous, and Angelina Jolie is on top form, both looking and acting everyone off screen. Morgan Freeman hams up his part to beautiful degrees, never letting the more ridiculous concepts the film has on offer get in the way of a strong delivery, and after a quick speech by him you really do believe that the impossible is possible.

Quite a lot is dropped from the comic, and the depth of character that many fans love so much is jettisoned to refine the film into a pure adrenaline-fuelled visual fest. This may upset some, but if you want bang-for-your-buck then it certainly delivers.

Unwanted

Very disappointing film, some good points. After spending the first half a hour just getting beaten up for no particular reason, the rest of the story line was stupid and the protagonist turned out to be a bit of a arrogant git, who just seemed to do nothing but insult the audience at the end of the film. The rat thing was quiet funny, not sure if it was supposed to be... and I wonder how long it took to strap all those bombs to the rats (not that they seemed to kill anyone) The stunts weren’t even James bond, or die hard ridicules. But as if a child thought of them. The film was a joke.