Wanted

Let your heart rate increase to 400, let yourself be kissed by Angelina, and above all, let everything go. Because it's just futile writhing from nowhere to nowhere. You won't find a more peculiar way to find spiritual revival anytime soon. Twist the path to the bullets, fulfill the mission, or just enjoy it splendidly. Because James McAvoy as the God of Chaos is watching over you and makes you forget that the plot about a woven message is actually just a big nonsense. So now you can tell me, why are you here...? (14/08/2008)

I'm pretty bummed about this movie... since I hate bullying and abuse, at first I wanted to turn the movie off. I like Angelina, but at that moment I hated her! The whole movie actually struck me as made up and a stupid take on a young boy. I don't think that's the impression it was supposed to leave on me. Luckily the ending evened everything out and I surprisingly liked the film as a whole... MAYBE it was even clever?! (09/02/2011)

Bekmambetov picks up in Hollywood where he left off in Russia. He just lovingly wrapped the "nothing" plot in a screaming visual package, using A-list actors instead of ribbons. Morgan mentors on a flywheel (not meant in a bad way), Angelina pouts her lips seductively again after a long time, and James boldly shows his ticket to the acting elite club of his generation. I didn't catch on to the anarchy that much (I’m interested in the comics) and the comparison of forces with The Matrix also seems quite wrong to me. Still, I’m definitely giving it a thumbs up, particularly in that Len Wiseman should get one of the DVDs so he can see how to film "over the top" action without necessarily looking stupid. 4 ½. (09/08/2008)

The actors are of course great and also quite sexy, but Wanted is a one-sided exhibition of its director. Bekmambetov may be a visual gourmet and a big fan of straightforward cinematic action, which makes the film flow incredibly well with scenes that outdo each other thanks to the effectiveness of the effects and the rhythmic editing, but he somehow forgot that a pure action flick should also tell a story. Wanted tries to have a stylish plot, and there is even one big twist (which comes to the surface during the most frantic action sequence), but it all feels too shallow and superficial.... No one can deny its potential to help you switch off your brain, but unfortunately, in the busy Hollywood competition, I demand a little more than that. 70% (01/03/2012)

A very pleasant surprise. Great actors, good action, not nearly as bad a script as I expected and above all a generous portion of directorial ideas. Too bad about the lower budget and thus unimaginative production design and maybe too frantically filmed fights. Anyway, an enjoyably anarchic extravaganza that pulls no punches. (23/06/2008)