ONE HARSH CRITIC: Wanted

This movie is amazing.

I'd like to leave it at that, but this wouldn't be much of a review if I did. So I shall continue....

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas have taken the Wanted franchise and made it shine. A brilliant concept wonderfully directed, simply blows the lid of any action film in years.

Wanted is the story of Wesley Gibson, a young professional stuck in a dead in job and a world he can barely tolerate. That is, until he meets The Fraternity - an underground group of assassins who keep the balance of good and evil in the world. Approached by Fox (Angelina Jolie), Gibson learns he is the son of a legendary hit man gone rogue. He is recruited, trained and groomed to become a productive member of The Fraternity.

This training takes up a large portion of the film, but unlike other graphic novels turned film, this part certainly doesn't slow down the action. The way this script was crafted, these training segments are just as action packed as the rest of the film. The necessary back-story and devices of this world are very deftly woven into these segments so that they are entertaining, interesting and essential to the story.

Twists and turns in the plot run rampant to the point where giving much more information would ruin the story - you just have to see it.

But I will say that this is incredibly well acted. James McAvoy isn't an actor that I normally gravitate towards, but in this film, he adds the right amount of humor into this action packed thriller. He's driven focused and really identifiable as he searches for his true self. Angelina Jolie is as hot as ever. The sultry demeanor and unique blend of apathy and confidence she brings to this character is simply perfect. She IS this Fox the hit-woman. And the cast of supporting characters seems to be the figures this graphic novel was written for.

Finally, the writing of this film is top-notch. Comic book movies don't just flop, they fall from grace with such vigor its amazing how many get made. But Wanted is yet another reason to breath hope into this genre. Not one of the major blockbuster films of the summer, the expectations aren't as high, but this film really delivers.

See it... See it today.

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Josh Gloer, Movie Correspondent

You can find Josh's column One Harsh Critic, published every other Sunday. Tuesday, Wednesday... (Who can tell at this point?) at http://oneharshcritic.gather.com.

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