Angelina Jolie is about to change James McAvoy's life in Wanted (Universal)
I have openly confessed to being an action junkie. I love movies that can serve up a kinetic rush, and I frequently cue up a DVD just to watch an awesome fight scene or killer car chase - little fixes to tide me over until a new action film comes out. So if a film can deliver some stunning action set pieces, I can leave the theater with a smile on my face. If they can also deliver a good story and interesting characters, then that's even better. The new summer actioner Wanted (opening June 27 throughout San Diego) takes its cue from Mark Millar's graphic novel and serves up a high octane cocktail that will leave you with a little buzz and maybe even something to think about.
RonM from MILLWOOD, NY
June 28, 2008 at 07:12 PM
AS ALWAYS I ENJOY READING YOUR INSIGHTS INTO A MOVIE. I ALSO APPRECIATE THAT YOU SAW THE MOVIE FIRST AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS OF WHAT THE MOVIE SHOULD BE. YOU WERE FAIR AND PRESENTED THE DIFFERENCES AND MERITS OF BOTH THE MOVIE AND GRAPHIC NOVEL
Beth Accomando
June 28, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Thanks for the comments. I did like both the movie and the graphic novel, and each came at the story a bit differently and each took ownership of the story in a different way. But I would recommend reading the graphic novel if you liked the movie. The book has a little extra kick that the movie doesn't have.
It's nice to know I have readers on the east coast.
Aaron Soto
from sd
June 28, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I'm not a "Night watch" fan but this movie looks cool, is on my list.
Emma
from Boston
June 29, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Okay, now I need to read the graphic novel. You have me intrigued.
I thought McAvoy was brilliant choice here. I actually loathe the movie, Atonement, but everything else he is in is terrific and he has this thing where he can just flip a switch and he seems like a different person. One moment he's a schlub, the next moment he's a badass. Very cool.
Beth Accomando
June 30, 2008 at 02:08 AM
Do read the graphic novel, it's well worth it -- different, though.
As for McAvoy, the director talked about how they had make up and costume changes to play up the differences in his character but that with just body language and facial expressions, McAvoy was able to convey the changes. The director cast him based on seeing his performance as the wheelchair bound character in Rory O'Shea was Here.
Thanks for your comment.
Max
July 01, 2008 at 09:02 AM
I didn't care much for this action movie. It's all show and not much of a story. James McAvoy was fortunately believable and he was good in it. However, the plot is full of holes and the resolution laughable. This is worse than Day Watch which was very much a showy turn and an audition for Hollywood.
Too bad, the story in the comics has the potential to be a good movie with even improvements.
Beth Accomando from San Diego
July 01, 2008 at 05:11 PM
In a story where people can bend bullets, I'm willing to allow for some bending of reality. This was a popcorn movie for me and raised a notch by James McAvoy. Yes it could have been better if it drew more on teh graphic novel but with so many action films being bloated and dull (checkout Hancock) this one had such energy and fun that I couldn't resist, even with its flaws.
Thanks for your comments.
PattiMarie from NYC
July 13, 2008 at 07:57 PM
I thought your review was on the money. Normally I don't really care for such action films but this one was truly a kick ass thriller. Other reviewer wrote how unrealistic the film is and gave it a bad review on that point alone, but since when is an action thriller movie suppose to be real? Also I appreciate your take on Jame McAvoy's acting. Morgan Freedman could do the role of wise man in his sleep, Angelina Joli seem to be coasting along as the tough chick, but McAvoy as the unlikely hero who goes from wimp to killer avenger while still keeping his wits was a perfect chose. It was his acting alone that made this movie worth it.
Beth Accomando
July 13, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Patti Marie,
Glad you checked out this film even though you're not an action fan. And I think McAvoy was a brilliant choice and definitely a big reason why the film worked for me.
Thanks for your comments. You might also try Hellboy II. Ron Perlman makes Hellboy very appealing as well and Guillermo Del Toro does not deliver your typical action film. If you check it out, let me know what you think.
RonM from MILLWOOD, NY
July 14, 2008 at 03:01 AM
Enjoyed the movie so much, I decided to read the graphic novel. I didn't like it. Not because I couldn't take the violence, I can (actually found it tame - I grew up on Clint Eastwwod, Sam Peckinpaugh, and Night of the Living Dead). Not because it's dark; there's plenty of "dark" out there I enjoy. I didn't enjoy it because there were no characters I found interesting; you can write about villains, you can write about evil, but make it interesting. I was bored. Maybe if I were thirteen years old (or a four year old) it would have been cool, but I'm not. Oh, and by the way it is so easy for the author to dismiss those who don't like his work with a big F-you. Next time he should try writing something original. Thankfully the movie took very little from the source material, and then improved on it.
Beth Accomando
July 14, 2008 at 04:34 AM
Ron,
I'm glad you tried the graphic novel, sorry it was a disappointment. I enjoyed both the film and the book for different reasons. But I liked the way the graphic novel was darker with the notion of having these villains rule the world and systematically try to kill all the superheroes. Plus the resolution with the father and with Fox were better in the book. I really didn't like the whole loom thing in the film -- that was unnecessarily complicated and silly -- and the way they tried to morally redeem Fox.
I appreciate your comments, especially since you were raised on Eastwood, Peckinpah, and zombies. Good combo! But I'm glad you liked the movie. I'm a big fan of that Russian director, I think he knows how to deliver fun action.
