Wanted

There is no denying that this is the summer of the comic book movies from the costumed superheroes of Marvel and DC, to Dark Horse’s HELLBOY and with a few original superheroes, such as HANCOCK, thrown in for good measure. In a cynical attempt to draw bigger audiences many of these films have toned down the violence to make sure they get a 15 or a 12A rating, but there is one comic (or graphic novel if you prefer), adaptation that is proudly wearing its 18 certificate, and that is WANTED.

Based upon Mark Millar’s graphic novel series it is directed by Timur Bekmambetov, creator of NIGHT WATCH and DAY WATCH, in his first Hollywood film. WANTED is the story of 25-year-old Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone you could ever imagine. Bullied by his boss, his girlfriend is shagging his best friend and basically his world gets worse with each panic attack. If the Sex Pistols song No Future was for anyone, it was for Wes.

That was until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie).

After telling Wes his estranged father has been murdered, the sexy Fox (and Jolie is sexy in this) recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins that trains Wes to avenge his father’s death by unlocking his dormant powers. She trains him hard, and brutally at times, as Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself, under the auspices of the Fraternity’s enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman). But as the story unfolds Wes discovers that everything isn’t as clear cut as it initially appears

Bekmambetov has created a fantastic action movie for grown ups utilizing all the visual tricks he refined on his two Russian blockbusters. Although some of them come over as a bit gimmicky at times they do suit the movie’s comic book origins. And he does have a penchant for red sports cars and big vans as his chase vehicles of choice. McAvoy is great as both the dweeb and action hero. Jolie is really good at action and looking very sexy, as was seen in the TOMB RAIDER movies, but even in this essentially lightweight genre fare it is clear she is also a very good actress just by some of the little mannerisms she gives her character. And if you saw her in A Mighty Heart you would no doubt agree with me on her acting ability. Freeman is his usual august self, although we do hear him spouting a good collection of swear words. And support comes from Marc Warren, another versatile young Brit character actor, Konstantin Khabensky (Anton in NIGHT/DAY WATCH) and Terence Stamp amongst others.

While we are all waiting for the other grown-up comic book flick, THE DARK KNIGHT, this will keep you entertained, and while it might not do as well at the box office as the big franchises it could well be a sleeper and will definitely do well on DVD, but see it on a big screen first because that is where it deserves to be seen.

Release date: 25 June 2008

You can hear an edited version of the Wanted press conference with star James McAvoy and director Timur Bekmambetov on our podcast page....

Watch the trailer here (QuickTime)

Official site

We have five copies of the graphic novel that inspired the movie from superstar creators Mark Millar (The Authority) and J. G. Jones (cover artist on 52 and Y: The Last Man) in an explosive tale of action, villainy, and good old-fashioned sex and violence. Click the link below to enter the competition. Entries close July 4 2008.

Click here to enter this competition