Movie Review: Wanted

Escapism kicks into high gear when we meet up with common worker Wesley Gibson. Just a run of the mill employee in some billing department with an accounting designation of sorts our poor chap is a classic case of the typical guy going nowhere. Come to think of it you may say young Wesley’s life is on a downward spiral. Consider him like the guy at the beach who gets sand kicked in his face. Poor Wes faces countless indignities on the job, at home and with his girl. Contrast this drab and dreary lifestyle to that of his long-forgotten dad.

Apparently Mr. Gibson senior carried on a rather clandestine life as a sort of James Bond freelancer. This elder “statesman’s” main purpose in life was to protect the world. Maxwell Smart, look out! As a member of a secret organization called “The Fraternity” killing was in Mr. Gibson’s heritage. Now, apparently, those coveted shoot to kill genes are also in his son’s blood.

Adrenalin goes into overdrive when Wesley is recruited to join this killing clan. Now, we’ve all seen this story line before. Here, however, the story has lots of meat with all sorts of plot shifts. Under the able direction of ace Russian craftsman Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch) viewers are swept into this cult of executioners.

Before becoming a full fledged member of the tribe Wesley is put through an unbelievable training session, not unlike the classic get into shape Rocky regimen. Shades of The Dirty Dozen’s passion for weeding out the wimps also come into play here as mild mannered Wesley becomes quite the elite fighting force.

Tongue in check fun all the way with loads of firepower and unbelievably clever (if not ridiculous) stunts makes Wanted a film worth seeking out.