Bending Bullets and a Fraternity of Assassins - "Wanted" Movie Review

"Wanted" is the story of Wesley Gibson'ssort of effect that the time-bending scenes in
transformation from non-confrontal nobody to a"The Matrix" have on viewers.
deadly assassin. Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy)However, these unrealistic visual effects go a bit
is an account manager who suffers fromtoo far in a couple scenes, and even just looking
constant anxiety attacks, has a boss who isat the movie as pure action, it is hard not to say
abusing her powers, and a girlfriend who isto yourself "There's no way that could happen."
cheating on him with his best friend. Although he isPerhaps this is because the movie has not fully
aware of it all, he cannot break the monotonydrawn you in yet, or perhaps it is because I as
and subordination of his life. Although he makes itthe viewer had not allowed myself to completely
clear that he is unhappy with his state in life, he isbelieve the unbelievable yet. I'm sure that
unwilling to make a change.different viewers of the movie are going to have
That is, until "The Fraternity" comes calling fordifferent opinions on this portion, but by stopping
him. "The Fraternity" is a group of assassins whoand thinking about the reality of certain portions
have been around for hundreds of years, killingof the movie leaves the movie not fulfilling on its
off specific targets that come from theintended purpose.
mysterious loom their ancestors developed, in"Wanted" quickly rebounds though with the
order to keep the world running smoothly. Whenconstant twists as the movie draws to a
a rogue agent from the Fraternity kills Wesley'sconclusion. Many of the characters are forced to
father (whom Wesley has not seen since he wasmake instant tough choices based upon this new
born), the Fraternity is determined to acquireinformation, and the viewer is left guessing as to
Wesley, for they believe he is the only one whowhat will happen in the next moment. The first
can kill the rogue agent.hour or so of "Wanted" leads you down the plot
Although at first unwilling, Wesley eventually joinsline of a clichéd action movie, but as soon
the Fraternity when he notices he does haveas the story begins to come to a crux, the plot
some hidden assassin instincts inside of him. Underline completely changes, and changes multiple
the training of Fox (Angelina Jolie) and Sloantimes. Each time, everything was explained
(Morgan Freeman), Wesley quickly learns toperfectly, and I was thoroughly impressed.
become an elite killing machine. Eventually WesleyThe only other major flaw of the movie is the
is given the task of assassinating the rogue agent,characters' (most importantly Sloan's) discussion
Cross, leading to the ultimate showdown of theon fate. The Fraternity wants you to believe that
best assassins in the world.mystical powers control a loom which determines
"Wanted" is an action-packed story that has to bethe fate of the entire world. Although the
taken purely at face value for simply that, anvisualization of the future actions of one criminal is
action movie. Majority of the moves Wesley, Fox,played out when Wesley questions fate is
Sloan, Cross, and others make are completelyinteresting, it still presupposes that we as humans
unbelievable. However, they are so unique thatare destined to live our lives a certain way from
they bring back memories of "The Matrix". Forstart to finish. In addition, when the other
example, Sloan teaches Wesley how to "bend"characters are presented with this question, the
bullets around a target. Anyone with anyfact that only Wesley sees the flaw in the logic
knowledge of weapons knows that this isseems a little hard to believe as well.
impossible, and if you come into the movieDespite this, "Wanted" is a stunning visual
thinking that, you're bound to be disappointed. Ifproduction and a great action movie. As I said
you come into the movie with an open mindset,earlier, it harkens back to the days of "The
and as Sloan even says (paraphrased), "If no oneMatrix". However, due to these few flaws, it falls
had ever told you that a bullets' path wasshort of the impressiveness of "The Matrix", but
straight, would you assume such a path?", youstill makes for a great summer action movie.
can accept it as a unique visual effect, the same