Wanted

There's the phrase 'chick-flick', that rolls rather nicely off the tongue, used to denote films targeted at women but I'm not sure there's an equivalent one for films made for the guys. The reason I'm looking for such a phrase is Wanted, a stylistic, action-packed, testosterone-driven rush of adrenaline. Its story, apparently based on a lesser-known comic book series, is silly no doubt but is rendered inconsequential and highly enjoyable through its stunning action and visual flair.

James McAvoy plays a young man with nothing going for him. His best friend is sleeping with his girlfriend while he is stuck in a dead-end job with the manager from hell. But his life takes an unexpected turn when a woman named Fox(Jolie) saves him from a killer. He soon learns about the Fraternity, a 1000-year-old society of assassins, which his father was a part of and that the man who tried to kill him was infact the man who killed his father.

From the scene where McAvoy smashes his keyboard into his friend's face - with a fantastic visual send-off - the movie is a non-stop thrill ride. Action sequences - like the train ride Jolie and McAvoy take - are bursts of energy while McAvoy's training sessions are bloody and visceral. The movie is definitely violent but the violence has been picturized in a way that is exhilarating rather than repulsive. In that aspect, the movie's director reminded me of John Woo in the way he has captured violence in a rather artistic fashion.

While the story of a society of assassins is acceptable, the movie becomes a little silly with its depiction of the society's workings, especially the way its targets are selected. But it soon makes us forget all that with a spectacular third act. It starts off with a fantastic train crash after which a plot point - that reminds us of one the most famous twists in Hollywood movie history in concept and execution - sets up a worthy climax. The sequence where McAvoy runs through the building shooting down the bad guys and picking up discarded guns would probably rank as one of the most well-choreographed action sequences in recent memory.

Jolie looks every inch the movie star and its no surprise that she looks perfectly comfortable holding and firing guns. McAvoy, in a turn very different from the timid fawn in Narnia, is believable as an action star. Morgan Freeman is dignified as usual though he gets a chance to loosen up a bit towards the end.