Posted: 07/07/2008

Wanted

(2008)

by Hank Yuloff

In the mid-’70s, Los Angeles had its first pay movie channel: The Z Channel. One of the first movies I remember watching over and over was The Seven-Ups with Roy Scheider. I still recommend that movie for one reason—there is an amazing five-minute car chase. At that time, there were no CGI or blue-screen special effects. When Scheider’s car gets demolished, it is for real. In the mid-’80s there was another incredible car chase in Against All Odds. Most of it takes place with Jeff Bridges and James Woods racing a Ferrari and a Porsche on Sunset Boulevard, so I have been able to relive that one in person! Again, no computer-driven special effects, so this chase stands out.

Last night, I added a new movie to my list of amazing chases.

In the first few minutes of Wanted, Angelina Jolie (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) and James McAvoy (The Last King of Scotland) try and escape Thomas Kretschmann (Next) in what has to be one of the most amazing chases you will ever see, involving a bread truck and a sports car. In 2008, we have been the visual benefactors of great computer effects to enhance the typical chase, but after taking the movie up the first big hill, this chase begins the roller coaster that Wanted takes you on. You should not sit in the first third of the movie theater—there is way too much action all across the screen for you to enjoy it properly.

Wanted is about a 1000-year-old organization of assassins called The Fraternity. They believe that fate has chosen them to balance out power in the world. To me, that premise is completely faulty for a couple of reasons. First, these people are amazing killer,s and the way they get their assignments (no spoiler here) should have allowed them to help the world avoid many great tragedies that have befallen our race. Second, the story takes place in modern-day Chicago and all of the people we see them kill are in that city. It would appear that the Second City is filled with more evil than Gothem City or Metropolis. But since this film is based on a series of comic books, I will go along for the ride. From the opening scenes, where Wesley Gibson’s father is killed, this film is nonstop, high-energy action.

It is this murder that brings Wesley into The Fraternity. His father was killed by a rogue Fraternity member (okay, haven’t we all known some fraternity member gone bad?) and Wesley, if trained properly, is the only person who can revenge that death. So Fraternity leader Sloan (Morgan Freeman) sends Fox (Angelina Jolie) to bring him into their circle of killers of which he was previously unaware. And, let’s face it: if Angelina asked you to go with her, wouldn’t you?

There are tons of little details that Kazakhstani director Timur Bekmambetov brings to life. Especially cool is the result of Wesley using a keyboard on his cheating best friend’s face, and a nice shot of a naked Jolie’s backside. The only true negative I would give this movie is that Morgan Freeman (Evan Almighty, Bruce Almighty) says the word “motherf*****,” and it seems completely out of place. There are some very obvious clues as to how Wesley will end up defeating the bad guy, and when it happens, it seems way over the top, but by then you have bought into the story and are willing to go along for the ride.

I know I had you at Jolie’s naked backside, but go see this film for more than that. It is fast-paced, exciting, musically rocks—it’s a great summer popcorn movie.

Hank Yuloff is an entertainment mogul, film critic, and co-founder of Film Monthly. He lives in L.A.

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