3 of 28

Write now Article Tools

Everyone dreams of being destined for more than their average, everyday life. The idea of a drone-like person punching away at a computer or wasting their life away in some other boring manner, wishing for someone to whisk them off to a world of action and heroics, and then actually being whisked away to such a world is a theme that his been explored in several films already; take "Fight Club", "The Matrix", or even "Harry Potter" for example. This idea never really gets old, however, because it taps into and fulfills such a basic human urge; the longing to achieve great things, no matter how life may seem at the moment, and the desire to live a life worth remembering. Upon first glance, I brushed "Wanted" off as just another silly action film with such a theme. Sure, it looked cool, but would it deliver? After learning that it was directed by Timur Bekmambetov (the Russian genius behind the films "Night Watch", "Day Watch", and the upcoming "Twilight Watch"), and remembering my love for the brilliant James McAvoy (who had roles in "The Last King of Scotland" and "Atonement"), I decided to give it a shot. It couldn't be that bad, right? Well, not only was it "not that bad", but it's probably one of the best action films I've seen in a very long time.

"Wanted" follows the story of Wesley Gibson, an apathetic accountant who apologizes too much and feels like he's coasting through life. His boss, a large, red-headed woman that likes to click staplers in the ears of slacking employees, chews him out on a daily basis, and his girlfriend is screwing around with his best friend. Aware of this, Wesley chooses not to confront his friend; he even buys him condoms and a morning after pill at one point, not letting on that he knows who he's using them with. Upon googling his name on one particularly boring day, Wesley comes up with nothing. The same thing happens when he tries to make a with-drawl from his bank account. Have I mentioned how whiny his girlfriend is? Or the fact that a train continuously passes by his apartment window, making the entire place shake? Yes, Wesley is the epitome of someone going through the motions of life, longing for something that will pull him out of his boring existence.

It is not "something", however, that pulls Wesley away from it all, but "someone". One day while picking up his prescription for the anti-anxiety medication he takes to ward off the bizarre panic attacks he has, he notices a very odd, very beautiful woman standing beside

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: Wanted (2008)?
We want to hear your view. Write now!