All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Average User Score: 8 (159 sources)

Submit Movie Review

Review this film

Tell the world what you think of Wanted

Your Score:

reset score

Write Your Review:
When writing your review, remember to keep the language clean.

Submit Review Cancel

mizasterj

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (1)

Inspired by many over the top first person shooting games ,this movie seems like every college boys wet dream. Quit your dead end boring office job where all you do is input repetitive data or crunch numbers working as a temp and getting...
[+] Read Full Review

Inspired by many over the top first person shooting games ,this movie seems like every college boys wet dream. Quit your dead end boring office job where all you do is input repetitive data or crunch numbers working as a temp and getting underpaid, In favor of a high stakes fast action adrenaline based lifestyle where killing is not only your job its your expertise. This movie glamorizes killing , making it look cool sophisticated and skillful. The movie emphasizes concepts that were introduced in films like the matrix. Theres a bit of twist involved but you'll probably see it coming a mile away. It seems like this films soul purpose is to display perfectly storyboarded action scenes and unique camera angles. Style is definetly prioritzed higher than story. Wanted is a total thrill ride with dazzle you moments and spectacular stunts. Jolie is up to her usual , as the bad ass hot chick ,with a big heart underneath all that cold steel, and deadly skill. Morgan Freeman rounds out the cast as the leader of this rag tag crew of hard core killers, he puts the business end to the whole operation, quite nicely.

Not a bad movie if your in the mood for some bang bang and boom boom. Otherwse, dont bother.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted mar 23, 2009 5:14 am pt

Lynxan1

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (0)

The story interesting, but the main thing I got our of it was a feel in the action of the movie that I haven't felt since the first Matrix.

Report Abuse

Posted mar 16, 2009 10:54 am pt

prevent1984

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (0)

I absolutely loved it - and that's saying a lot because I am usually not vaguely interested in action type movies. I mainly chose to give it a chance because I am a huge Angelina Jolie fan, but I am glad I did! I think the actors were excellent,...
[+] Read Full Review

I absolutely loved it - and that's saying a lot because I am usually not vaguely interested in action type movies. I mainly chose to give it a chance because I am a huge Angelina Jolie fan, but I am glad I did! I think the actors were excellent, the plot line was excellent, and it never lost my interest for a second.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted dec 2, 2008 12:35 pm pt

Warrior427

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (0)

I liked the movie fun to watch especially during the action sequences some of the plot was a bit sketchy and weird but they can curve bullets and do alot of cool stuff and the whole ferternity of assasins things was a great angle for the movie but...
[+] Read Full Review

I liked the movie fun to watch especially during the action sequences some of the plot was a bit sketchy and weird but they can curve bullets and do alot of cool stuff and the whole ferternity of assasins things was a great angle for the movie but they could have cleaned up the confusing stuff and explained things a little better

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted dec 1, 2008 1:02 pm pt

expatriot

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (0)

Cast against type, McAvoy does a great job, the script was not that suprising and the action sequences were great to watch. Not a cinematic masterpiece, but highly entertaining !!

Report Abuse

Posted nov 25, 2008 9:07 pm pt

volzzilla

-1

Agree (3)

Disagree (0)

Fun movie to watch for the most part. Had some confusing moments at time, but if you paid enough attention the twists paid off. I would have changed a few things here or there, but overall worked. Does require a good bit of suspension of...
[+] Read Full Review

Fun movie to watch for the most part. Had some confusing moments at time, but if you paid enough attention the twists paid off. I would have changed a few things here or there, but overall worked. Does require a good bit of suspension of disbelief, but thats fine. Overall, generally reccommended.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted nov 2, 2008 11:28 am pt

FilipHolm

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (4)

There is not very much to say abut Wanted... well actualy there is. Wanted got, when released, some pretty good reviews, but I never went to see it. I can´t say I regret that I didn´t. Wanted is just a flat piece of...
[+] Read Full Review

There is not very much to say abut Wanted... well actualy there is. Wanted got, when released, some pretty good reviews, but I never went to see it. I can´t say I regret that I didn´t. Wanted is just a flat piece of visual experiments. Sure, the movie is visualy great, and the action scenes are well done, but that´s pretty much it. Wanted is filled with cliche´s, characters you don´t give a crap about, and a bit too much unnecessary violence for my taste. The script is poor, relying completely on the efects and action scenes. The dialogue is actualy good in the more calmed scenes, but I´m talking one or two scenes here. The twist at the end is pretty good, but you where kind of expecting something like that. The acting doesn´t bring anything to the characters, but McAvoy shows some talent and he is something to look out for in the future. With that said, Wanted is nothing special in any other aspect than the effects, and it´s deffinatly nothing I will remember for a very long time.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted oct 26, 2008 3:52 am pt

DamageIncM

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (0)

I just came back from seeing this movie, so I'll do a good and honest review.
And don't worry about any spoilers while reading it:


This movie... is hard, intense, insane, at times beautiful and, at least to me personally,...
[+] Read Full Review

I just came back from seeing this movie, so I'll do a good and honest review.
And don't worry about any spoilers while reading it:


This movie... is hard, intense, insane, at times beautiful and, at least to me personally, genuinly inspiring.
The plot/story is amazing, it is full of action and has a great flow.
You'll find twist, after twist, after twist, and before you realise it, another twist just passed by.
This is not to say it is that hard to follow, you just wouldn't expect most of the things happening.

All the events, action and visuals are really original and surprising.
It's done in the way of traditional and more modern action-movies, but even more impressive.
Don't expect events possible in real-life, but see it more as real-world comic-action in real-life.
After all, this movie comes from an actual comic-book if you didn't know.
There is a lot of that, but in between also some more dramatic moments and even some funny moments.
However, I can't emphasise enough how physically and also mentally intense this movie is.

The characters are great, as is the cast that execute them impressively well.
They all have their own original character so they stand out from each other really well.
I must say the camera-work is amazing and the effects are also really impressive and original.
Besides the effect that is similar to 'The Matrix's 'Bullet Time', but then used in an original way with a different technique.
The sound-effects are also done amazingly well, not much to say about that really.
And also the soundtrack is great, there is some rock and of course Danny Elfman's adrenaline-pumping score in his signature style that sets the atmosphere.


To be honest, I couldn't really find much of a flaw.
If I think about it, there is not a single disappointment besides that I WANTED more after nearly two hours.
Could this movie be a true and serious ten? Just maybe there are some tiny flaws though.
The introduction is great, the whole story just drags you along and the finale is brilliant.
I loved 'The Dark Knight' a little earlier this year, but that movie has a serious competitor.

For now I'll give it 4½ stars for a 9 or 9.5, but if rating were in points it would probably be even closer to a 10.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted oct 25, 2008 9:11 am pt

MrAbs

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (0)

Actually, I liked this movie. The story line is something new. Something that I personally have not seen. This is something very rare today. The CG effects were awesome. I loved the way they zoomed in and slowed down the time for all the bullets....
[+] Read Full Review

Actually, I liked this movie. The story line is something new. Something that I personally have not seen. This is something very rare today. The CG effects were awesome. I loved the way they zoomed in and slowed down the time for all the bullets. It was awesome. I just really liked this movie. I would reccomend it. I know not everyone will agree with me, but I don't care. :P

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted aug 27, 2008 6:09 pm pt

holabendez

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (3)

I wasn't expecting much, but Wanted was one of the dumbest movies I've seen. I was expecting mindless action, but I didn't fathom how vapid it could be. The action sequences while not dull, are not good enough to compensate. This is definitely a...
[+] Read Full Review

I wasn't expecting much, but Wanted was one of the dumbest movies I've seen. I was expecting mindless action, but I didn't fathom how vapid it could be. The action sequences while not dull, are not good enough to compensate. This is definitely a WTF kind of movie. Two stars.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted aug 21, 2008 8:05 am pt

• [+] The Hollywood Reporter
  
  100
  This over-the-top, ultraviolent, hyperkinetic action thriller pretty much has it all.

  by Michael Rechtshaffen | Read Full Review »
• [+] New York Magazine
  
  90
  It takes about an hour after it's over for the heart to slow, the brain to recalibrate, and the nonsensicalness of the thing to sink in.

  by David Edelstein | Read Full Review »
• [+] Portland Oregonian
  
  83
  Bekmambetov revs it up furiously and unleashes one bit of hyperactive, dazzling invention after another. The result is a throwaway wrapped up in the coolest packaging imaginable, which is acres better than the opposite.

  by Shawn Levy | Read Full Review »
• [+] Baltimore Sun
  
  83
  What's bleakly hilarious about the whole movie is that Bekmambetov directs the nonaction scenes just as hyperbolically.

  by Michael Sragow | Read Full Review »
• [+] Time
  
  80
  The summer's zazziest action movie.

  by Richard Corliss | Read Full Review »
• [+] Empire
  
  80
  Not as dark as its source material, Wanted works exceptionally on its own terms. McAvoy crashes the A-list, Jolie finally gets to be as big a star on screen as she has been in print, and Bekmambetov proves the most exciting action-oriented emigré since John Woo.

  by Kim Newman | Read Full Review »
• [+] Variety
  
  80
  Like it or not, Wanted pretty much slams you to the back of your chair from the outset and scarcely lets up for the duration.

  by Todd McCarthy | Read Full Review »
• [+] Film Threat
  
  80
  For all of its shortcomings, Wanted is a strangely enjoyable flick.

  by Pete Vonder Haar | Read Full Review »
• [+] Chicago Sun-Times
  
  75
  The way to enjoy this film is to put your logic on hold, along with any higher sensitivities that might be vulnerable and immerse yourself as if in a video game.

  by Roger Ebert | Read Full Review »
• [+] Rolling Stone
  
  75
  Brutal, sexy, built to thrill and minus a scintilla of redeeming social value, the movie -- based on a series of comic books by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones -- explodes like summer fireworks.

  by Peter Travers | Read Full Review »
• [+] Premiere
  
  75
  If you're looking for memorable dialogue and gripping drama, then you better get in line for another flick. But if it's spellbinding special effects and high-wire acts you crave, Wanted should be at the top of your list for big budget thrill rides.

  by Malina Saval | Read Full Review »
• [+] Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  
  75
  Jolie steals the film from nominal star McAvoy in the wild gunfight and dynamically absurd chase that kick Wanted into high gear. Her wicked moves and seductive smirk brand her immediately as a true believer who really, really loves her work.

  by Sean Axmaker | Read Full Review »
• [+] Charlotte Observer
  
  75
  His movies are thrilling and ridiculous in equal measure, and I often laughed with incredulous approval as he wreaked havoc.

  by Lawrence Toppman | Read Full Review »
• [+] Entertainment Weekly
  
  75
  Best of all, there's a lot of Jolie, barrels blazing. The star's fearlessly sexy hauteur is unique in the biz today. And when she works it in Wanted, she kills, bullets optional.

  by Lisa Schwarzbaum | Read Full Review »
• [+] ReelViews
  
  75
  There are times when the film is flat-out silly (such as the spinning car assassination), but that's part of the movie's charm. At its worst, Wanted is never boring. At its best, it can be damn close to intoxicating. One word, written without apology, describes it best: fun.

  by James Berardinelli | Read Full Review »