3.0, Europe, United States/Canada

Wanted

2008 / Timur Bekmambetov > It’s usually a terrible idea when 70% of a film’s plot is told over narration within five minutes, but Russian blockbuster director Bekmambetov brings his Night Watch fame this side of the Pacific with an action-packed extravaganza that’s short on plot and long, very long on intensity. In fact, Wanted may have some of the best action sequences ever seen on film. Suspending disbelief is a priority in this adaptation of a comic grounded on prophetic assassins—This is also partially because we know Angelina Jolie has the potential to blow stuff up, but James McAvoy? Not your likeliest action star, but the special effects make it all work in spades.

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