Wanted
*"What the fuck have you done lately?"
*
Wanted (2008) review 2: Electric Boogaloo! The (not so) long awaited rewatch and review of this utterly ridiculous yet thoroughly fantastic action masterpiece. Starting off, I think my original review for this film was shockingly harsh, not with what I said but on the rating I gave it. I went into it trying to convince myself that it was going to be stupid, a waste of time, that I was only watching it to 100% James McAvoy's filmography but I was sorely mistaken. My 3.5 stars was an attempt to be "truly artsy" for a lack of a better term but this is my Letterboxd and I can rate what I want however I want.
Going off this, James McAvoy was a phenomenal choice for the main character, Wesley Gibson. He is perfect for playing a (and I say this with love) pathetic, snivelling runt but also somehow making the character shockingly sexy and badass. I will also continue to sing the praises of his accent in this film, if I didn't know who James was I could easily believe that was his genuine accent, it is incredible how well he does it and how he perfectly encapsulates Wesley's energy.
The score for this film is EXCEPTIONAL but I would expect no less from Danny Elfman. I think his style works wonders for the story and style of this one and it helps how I never felt the score imposed on the film at any points like it can for some action films. What happens on screen and the music meld together beautifully to create a tense, griping and fantastic watch. Alongside this score, I will give extra points for one of my favourite Nine Inch Nails songs being in this film and yes I am biased because I love NIN but hey, it works and I love it.
The often agonising slow-mo shots, the tight, bloody action, the insane gunfights, stellar acting and batshit concept make this one of the most enjoyable (and fun) action flicks I have ever seen. An absolute joy to watch and the ending makes me squeal like a crazy person every single time I watch it. Is this a bit of an incel movie? Yes. Does that mean I think it is cringey or embarrassing? No. Do I love this film very deeply and will defend it with my life? Absolutely!
When I first watched this I gave it a rather cruel 3.5 stars but, upon this rewatch, I am giving this a 5 out of 5. Is it a spectacular piece of art deserving of a score only reserved for the best of the best? Not a chance, but this is my review and damn it, this film is 5 stars. If I ever tell you I hate this film, that isn't me!