Wanted (R, 2008)

common sense media says

Explosive action film is extremely violent.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this over-the-top action film -- which stars Angelina Jolie and is based on a series of comic books, both of which will up its appeal with teens -- is loaded with extraordinarily explicit, extensive, stylized violence, including lots of bloody shootings, beatings, and more (blood and brain matter splatter are shown). The movie's style owes a debt to The Matrix, but it's much more graphic than that sci-fi epic. The film also suggests that the central character's transformation from corporate cog to killing machine is a positive thing to be admired. Also expect lots of swearing, some cigar smoking, and some pretty passionate scenes (including male and female rear nudity).

Positive messages: The film revolves around a secret society of assassins who kill on the orders of a mystical "Loom of Fate" the group's ideology is based on the idea of "Kill one, save a thousand" -- i.e. eliminating people based on the hypothetical ramifications of their unknown future acts. Lead character Wesley vents many of the frustrations of the modern cubicle-dwelling office laborer, questioning the choice between tedious, anonymous conformity or exciting, violent transgression. The fact that he ends up going with the latter is presented as a positive choice.
Violence: Extensive, graphic, and bloody violence, including (but not limited to) lots of shootings (shown in great detail, with blood splatter and visible brain matter, and often reversed on screen and shown again for cinematic effect), stabbings, slashings (including blood and extensive tissue damage), beatings (including broken bones, shattered flesh and extensive blood), people being burned alive, dead bodies used for target practice, a shooting victim used as a human shield (with a firearm poked through what's left of the head), assassinations, rats used as delivery platforms for plastic explosives, a violent train wreck, car crashes, and a graphic murder/suicide.
Sex: Intense semi-clothed sexual activity; male and female rear nudity; discussions of condoms and "the morning-after pill." Crude discussions of sex. Characters have an affair.
Language: Language includes very frequent uses of "f--k," "f--king," "motherf---er," "a--hole," "s--t," "p---y," "horses--t," "whore," and more.
Consumerism: Brands seen on screen include Captain Crunch, Cheerios, Snickers, Power Horse Energy Drink, Capital One, Google, and more.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some cigar smoking; a character has a prescription for anti-anxiety drugs; some discussion of the "morning-after pill."

More on Wanted

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the appeal of action films. Why does violent entertainment have such a grip on the public imagination? Talk with your kids about the difference between real life and fantasy -- even teens. Point out that consequences exist -- even if it makes you feel humorless. The fact that violent movies stimulate parts of the brain bears some commentary from the parental units. Families can also contrast Jolie's positive public work as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations with her professional work in violent action films. Do the two roles fight against each other, or are they simply different aspects of the same person? Which do you think is the "real" her?

What's the story?

What's the story?
WANTED, loosely based on a comic book series by Mark Millar, begins as the tedious, troubled life of white-collar wage-slave Wesley Gibbon (James McAvoy) is invaded by a stylish, sexy criminal named Fox (Angelina Jolie). She tells Wesley that his father -- long thought dead -- was not only killed yesterday, but was one of the world's greatest assassins. Fox wants Wesley to join her group, The Fraternity, so that he can avenge his father, save his own life from his father's killer, and join The Fraternity's secret mission of "maintaining the balance" of the world by eliminating presumably deserving targets named by a mystical device called "The Loom of Fate." But as Wesley embraces his new life and confidence, he learns that his newfound work has consequences, and his new mentors and peers have secrets.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Wanted is a bold, burly knockout action film that's immensely stylish and superbly shot, but it's also astonishingly violent and graphic. The English-language, big-studio debut of Russia-based director Timur Bekmambetov (best known in America for his Night Watch and Day Watch epic fantasies), Wanted is full of inventive special effects, edge-of-your-seat stunts, and hairpin twists and turns. Wesley, an unhappy office drone, becomes part of a criminal conspiracy that empowers and excites him; the fact that he and Fox kill people named by coded messages from "The Loom of Fate" is a mystical plot device that lends a thin layer of mystical philosophical rationalization to their violent deeds. And McAvoy, Jolie, and Morgan Freeman (as Fraternity leader Sloan) commit to their thin roles completely, and the film has several touches of gallows humor and bizarre bravado.

But when Wesley finds out that all is not as it seems, his newfound life turns poisonous and even more dangerous. The plot's changes and conspiracies are mostly an excuse for hyper-stylized on-screen violence with slow-motion fights and car stunts, curving bullets and beautifully shot bloodshed as Wesley fights to survive. Wanted offers nothing new -- it's clearly aping both The Matrix and Fight Club in its cinematography and sensibility -- but it's so enthusiastically well-made that it's a nearly perfect example of the modern action film. Wanted isn't high art, but it's superbly made trash, and the rare big-money action film that's as entertaining as it is excessive.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Cast: Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: June 26, 2008
DVD release: December 1, 2008
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong bloody violence throughout, pervasive language and some sexuality.
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This review was written by James Rocchi
 
 

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What parents & educators say

16

Most useful reviews by all members

Scream
kid, 12 years old
 
Very good movie.
This movie cotains strong graphic bloody violence throughout, coarse language, and 2 sex scenes (semi graphic). Fortunantly, it has nonstop action, and that would please many

movies make me :)
kid, 13 years old
 
One of my favorite movies!!!!!!
Amazing!!!

Yeah.
teen, 14 years old
 
Check my page for other great recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.

hey man 1
teen, 17 years old
 

4Spice
adult
 
lost of killing 15 over
great movie it doesnt beat the matrix anyway lots of action killing and shooting worth watching truth is that i say you probley would have to be 15 or 16 to watch it because of the intense killing and one nudity part but great flick.

Entropy
teen, 15 years old
 
Great movie! But some pretty raunchy material. Constant usage of the F-word throughout. And quite a bit of blood and gore. Some brief yet fairly graphic and rowdy sex scenes. But really it depends on your kid, if you are like me and have seen movies like Sin City, Matrix, Braveheart etc etc. Then it should be fine.

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
Perfect older teen movie
This film has the 2 things required to be a summer blockbuster: outrageous violence and Angelina Jolie! The plot wasn't perfect but what the audience comes for is the action, and plenty was supplied, the ending scene particulary choreographed very well.

LongRangeShadow
teen, 17 years old
 
crazy violent, but fun
A great movie, but the violence got kind of insane at parts. Sort of a pseudo-good message about changing one's life for the better, that is if you consider murdering people for money a better alternative to normal life. Nice action though.

camaro15
teen, 15 years old
 
i watched this movie and it was a great film and alot of graphic violence, and a lot of language in it but not much. the chase in the beginning was a little bit violent, but when the guy came out of the building in glass and could be very scary and violent, so you better migt want to let your kids think about the movie.

TheSuperman765
teen, 16 years old
 
check out my page for more awesome recommendations
What to watch out for * Messages: The film revolves around a secret society of assassins who kill on the orders of a mystical "Loom of Fate" the group's ideology is based on the idea of "Kill one, save a thousand" -- i.e. eliminating people based on the hypothetical ramifications of their unknown future acts. Lead character Wesley vents many of the frustrations of the modern cubicle-dwelling office laborer, questioning the choice between tedious, anonymous conformity or exciting, violent transgression. The fact that he ends up going with the latter is presented as a positive choice. * Violence: Extensive, graphic, and bloody violence, including (but not limited to) lots of shootings (shown in great detail, with blood splatter and visible brain matter, and often reversed on screen and shown again for cinematic effect), stabbings, slashings (including blood and extensive tissue damage), beatings (including broken bones, shattered flesh and extensive blood), people being burned alive, dead bodies used for target practice, a shooting victim used as a human shield (with a firearm poked through what's left of the head), assassinations, rats used as delivery platforms for plastic explosives, a violent train wreck, car crashes, and a graphic murder/suicide. * Sex: Intense semi-clothed sexual activity; male and female rear nudity; discussions of condoms and "the morning-after pill." Crude discussions of sex. Characters have an affair. * Language: Language includes very frequent uses of "f--k," "f--king," "motherf---er," "a--hole," "s--t," "p---y," "horses--t," "wh-re," and more. * Consumerism: Brands seen on screen include Captain Crunch, Cheerios, Snickers, Power Horse Energy Drink, Capital One, Google, and more. * Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some cigar smoking; a character has a prescription for anti-anxiety drugs; some discussion of the "morning-after pill."

Mr581
teen, 18 years old
 
ok

 
The Best, Most Mind-Blowing Action Film Since the First Matrix!
I loved this movie! It has brought a new generation of action to the new millenium. First, there was dodging bullets; now, there's curving bullets! i love it! Parents: this film is extremely violent with dozens of head shots and further depictions of gore. Purely awesome; adrenaline-boosting, but EXTREMELY violent and gory.

Wild Man
kid, 12 years old
 
great movie but in apropret


kid, 12 years old
 
BEST ACTION FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
preety viloent best action film ever!!!


teen, 14 years old
 
BEST ACTION FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
preety viloent best action film ever!!!


kid, 11 years old
 
BEST ACTION FILM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
preety viloent best action film ever!!!

mattthemovieman
teen, 17 years old
 
acualy really good.
i really liked this movie.content violance very intense bloody violance.sex two brief sex scenes and a womans butt is shown. language hard r language f-ck,sh-t,d-ck,and b-tch

tmoose95
teen, 16 years old
 
It was awsome
I thought this movie was great lots of action now if you don't like blood and killing and that stuff don't see it but if you do it's awsome also about the sex there are 2 brief scenes of sex on a table and all you see is the mans butt and it is very brief there is a lot of language though but it is a great film

iheartchocolate198
teen, 16 years old
 
im 13 and its the BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!!!! i mean kids my age watch bloody movies like this one anyway and this ones actualy GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SLUMDOG
teen, 14 years old
 
stylish action movie not as bad as the book
know the film does not have the same amount of sex and profanity as the book. however there is till a lot of profanity and violence there is brain mattter blood and all sorts of other graphic violence what makes wanted good is it's exciting

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