Adrenalized and violent as all get out, Wanted is a weird thing, no doubt about it — one feels like director Timur Bekmambetov is probably a fan of 1998’s The Big Hit, and the movies could eventually form a repertory double bill in a few big cities, depending on the bravery, taste and/or intoxication of programmers.
The shot-from-behind, naked walk-off of Angelina Jolie (above) is certainly a high point, of a sort, in the film — a perfect companion piece to her slithery CGI nude scene from Beowulf. The other biggest non-action scene moments, just in terms of sheer audience reaction, involve, 1) a Samuel L. Jackson-esque blast of obscenity from Morgan Freeman, and 2) a silent, bemused reaction shot of Jolie as she lets a flustered James McAvoy pass by her. Oh, and a kiss between the latter pair, too, designed to elicit jealousy from McAvoy’s bitchy, cheating girlfriend. More to likely follow tomorrow…