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| Movie Review: Wanted Alternate Title: Frat Boy
Story: Woefully inadequate,
always apologetic, anxiety ridden office drone Wesley has his life suddenly
and violently changed when he is spotted, attacked and seemingly saved
from a wild man's bullet while buying anti-anxiety medication. The action
is non-stop for the balance of the film as Wesley, goes from mild mannered,
self hating nerd to martial arts expert and first rate assassin. He was hand-picked to follow in his recently
murdered father's foot steps. His father was a member of a thousand
year old group, called The Fraternity, with super human skills,
who assassinate people to balance the world's fate (don't get all troubled
over the plot). You could say this is a like father, like son
film that is pure entertainment. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov
has kept the story line trim and the action heavy. It was written by
Michael Brandt, Derek Haas and Chris Morgan
and is based on a story by Brandt and Haas
and the comic books by Mark Millar and J. G.
Jones. This is a summer film that is loaded with action,
special effects, good looking people and a some very funny lines. I
am still laughing at the last line. Take a break from your woes, beat
the heat and see this one. Check out the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_BKvZENLeQ Acting: James McAvoy (Wesley) is right on the money
as the nerd turned assassin.Morgan Freeman turns in
his usual fine performance. Angelina Jolie is stunning
to watch and she seemed to be having a fine time in this film. Terence
Stamp is always good, even when in a cameo role.
Predilection: I like most action summer schlock.
Critters: A pretty white kitty and zillions of rats.
Food: Steak, asparagus, take out containers.
Sex Spectrum: There are two brief counter top sex
scenes - not at all sexy.
Blatant Product Placement: Honey Nut Cheerios, Ikea
and Red Bull
Soundtrack: Loud, appropriate and sometimes funny
music by Danny Elfman
Opening Titles: None - all credits are at the end.
Visual Art: It was visually pleasing in a graphic
novel kind of way.
Theater Audience: Crowded for a mid-afternoon performance
on a Wednesday.
Weather: The weather was good for assassins.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: I squirm during knife fights.
Drift Factor: There is too much non-stop action to
drift.
Predictability Level: High but there were a few surprises.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Perhaps some of the special effects
will get a technical nod from the Academy.
Big Screen or Rental: Oh - big screen for sure.
James McAvoy is the flavor of the month. He is also a good
actor and has an impressive resume. Check out two of his films for rental:
Last King of Scotland and Atonement.
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
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