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Wanted

What it's about:

Wes (James McAvoy) is a puny, nervous wreck who mundanely goes through the motions of life when suddenly über sexy assassin Fox (Angelina Jolie) turns up to rock his crusty world. He soon discovers that the father he never knew was the #1 in a fraternity of assassins but was recently killed. Now it's up to him to avenge his father's death with the help of some brutal training by the fraternity. But that's not where the story ends.

What we thought of it:

If you're expecting a one of a kind, trendsetting, knock ya socks off flick, it's not going to happen with Wanted. That's not to say it's no good, it's just Hollygood.

Think Matrix (1999, 2003, 2003) à la Kung Fu Panda (2008). A loser becomes the chosen one and discovers his destiny in a world he thought only existed in his dreams. And everything that happens after this turning point only ever happens in movies.

So why should you watch it? Because its predictability is just enough to comfort you through the overload of fake blood and special effects; because it's simultaneously the worst film you'll ever see and the most fun you'll have in a cinema. But primarily this film should be watched for the momentary return of the bad-to-the-bone Angelina Jolie we knew and loved before that soft, blonde Brad domesticated her.

Based on the comic book miniseries by the same name, the film has a dark, satirical tone which will have you laughing in places you wouldn't expect to. Visually, there's never a dull moment – eye candy and special effects galore. Adrenalin-pumping, eye popping, skin crawling viewing - it's a well rounded story and a brilliant English-language debut for Russian-born director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch [2005] and Day Watch [2007]). Top notch cast aside, it's probably Bekmambetov's storytelling that makes this film worth watching.

- Natalie Sineke

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