Wanted (Cert 18) Cinema Review

11:16pm Monday 14th July 2008

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WHEN visionary Russian director Timur Bekmambetov was called in to take the helm on a Hollywood film it was always going to be an interesting ride.

A melting pot of ideas, Wanted has scenes reminiscent of The Terminator, The Matrix and Fight Club and the visual stamp that makes you know it is by the creator of Night Watch and Day Watch.

Yet another in a long line of films based on comics, it is the story of a 1,000-year-old fraternity of assassins who have ultra fast reactions, can ‘bend bullets’ and get their orders from a binary code found in fabric (as you do).

It seems like such a B-movie premise but along with some incredible stunts that beat anything you’ll see in, say, a Die Hard movie, Bekmambetov has also drawn in a stellar cast which includes Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie.

Most surprising is star James McAvoy, who presumably wanted a break from his run of award-winning features.

He plays the apathetic and apprehensive Wesley — the latest to be recruited into the fraternity and unaware of his killer potential.

It’s a slow boil and frustration begins to kick in when you realise that you have already seen most of the best bits in the trailer.

But then the last half hour kicks in. An awesome train scene will leave you breathless followed by a bullet drenched crescendo.

If you can forgive its flaws and leave your brain at home, then this is weekend blockbuster fodder in its purest form.

8/10 Worth the wait