So I went to see WANTED this weekend. I know that everyone was out to see Will Smith in Hancock, and that Wanted is a week old – but I wanted to see it. And regardless of how good Hancock may be I was not disappointed.
By now most have seen the very Matrix-esque scene of a guy jumping out of a window. Some might think that the film is trying to rip off the Matrix like Equilibrium did. Thankfully this is not true. But much like the Matrix this film starts off with a pill for viewer to swallow. In essence there are people with abilities that bend the laws of physics, and they are assassins.
From an opening scene that creates the footprints of a chess match you are caught as off guard as our protagonist Wesley Gibson, James McAvoy, (if the name is a play on Gibson of Mona Lisa Overdrive I don’t know). Gibson is a loser. There is no other way to put it. It’s reflected in his best friend, his “girlfriend”, and his all too normal and common job.
Add to this he has been led to believe that he has anxiety attacks. I for one thought almost immediately that he looked more like he was fighting the urge to choke the crap out of someone that desperately needed it. But for all his failures, he is not hopeless. He does get a glimpse of something coming, and if you pay attention to the little details in the background and in the words on signs and elsewhere you will see it too.
When that something does hit, it’s huge. And of course Angelina Jolie, as Fox, leads the way in this. It’s one of the better car chases I’ve seen in a long time. It’s a game of chess and determination. It’s an expression of absolute willingness to do what needs to be done. You’ll love it.
Literally this is a rush that’s a bit too much for our protagonist, and the movie take a momentary pause to deliver a cute laugh before we move on with quickness.
Once Wesley is back up, he is introduced to the truth. A version of the red pill so to speak. Provided by perhaps the single best image of gravitas our generation of actors has. Morgan Freeman.
Let me side step here. Some may want to see this movie for the action, and there is plenty. Some will definitely want to see Angelina Jolie (though she looks a tad thin in this film, but still sexy). Some might even come to see Lonnie Lynn Jr., otherwise known as rapper Common, which would be silly in this film – though it’s going to be the only reason to see Green Lantern – as he gets about as much time and lines as is deserved by most rappers-turned-movie stars. I did want to see 2 of the 3 points I just mentioned. But I love a film with a brain.
That’s where Morgan Freeman comes in. The former Easy Reader of Electric Company today is the one actor that can add credibility to almost any film no matter the premise. Want to talk about a guy getting the power of God, make God Morgan Freeman and it can work. Want to make a serious commentary about race and the human spirit overcoming idiocy – call Morgan Freeman. Want to get people feeling desperate and cheering the protagonist, well you know.
But how many times can you recall Mr. Freeman being a bad guy? And when I say bad I mean icy cool, completely in control, killing machine? In fact he is so badass that he only holds a gun 3 times in the film, but you never doubt his lethality. And if I had a favorite part in the film it would be the end when he curses, just once, and it makes you stand up and take notice.
Now I won’t give away details, but our little Wesley learns quickly that he has a shot at a life. He grabs at it, a keyboard signaling his fight for independence (it makes sense when you see the film). And he needs all the gusto he can find because once he gets in, his education has nothing to do with books and everything to do with pain.
But he does have an ace up his sleeve. The anxiety attacks I mentioned at the beginning. Plus he is not stupid. So as he learns, grows a pair, and figures out which piece on the chessboard he represents we get more than a few get special effects. By this point you’ve either accepted that some can do things that seem improbable, or you’ve gone to get your money back.
As the movie reaches its crescendo we are privy to secrets, truths, deceptions, double crosses, and revenge. Not bad for a film that’s quite short on dialogue. And a lot of thinking. This is not a Rambo style film. Everything has a reason and plan. Some of it is kind of obvious, like in the wax room. Some is more subtle like the tribute to Mark Millar who created the limited series comic book this is based on. (Yep another comic book film – bet you didn’t know).
Now I have to say that I am no fan of McAvoy. He was ok in the Children of Dune cable movie. Beyond that I have no real impression other than he is an actor I have noticed in other films. But he makes this character believable, and when he does get his gun on it works well – especially with the Repair Man.
Angelina Jolie is of course sexy and aggressive. She may be a bit type cast these days but it’s a good type to play. She plays her dedicated, badass, lethal character with just a touch of compassion and pride. This explains in part her near-end of movie reaction.
I will say this; I am upset with the ending. I see how they will make a sequel to this film. There is room for it without silly plot holes. But they definitely took the Tim Burton Batman movies approach. That is something I thought was unnecessary and disadvantageous. It really detracts from the possibilities.
This film is another in the select few these days that I would see again. I will buy it on DVD and look for a few more of the key signs and details that are all over the film if you take the time to notice them. I can also just watch it and enjoy it.
So if you want to take an hour and 48 minutes and slip into a place where your 9 – 5 becomes a little less tedious, this is a film for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment