Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-meaning but disappointing Dolph Lundgren actioner.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wanted Man
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WANTED MAN, aging police officer Travis Johansen (Dolph Lundgren) is caught on video violently beating a Mexican suspect and using racial slurs. In order to save face, Chief Hernandez (Roger Cross) sends Johansen on a peace-keeping mission to Mexico, where he's supposed to pick up two sex workers who witnessed the murder of undercover DEA agents and safely escort them back to the United States. A hung-over Johansen gamely sets about the task, but the team's car is ambushed, and their Mexican police escort and one of the sex workers are killed, leaving a wounded Johansen on the run with the remaining woman, Rosa Barranco (Christina Villa). Rosa takes Johansen to a cousin's place where he can recuperate, but time is running out.
Is It Any Good?
This directorial effort by Dolph Lundgren tries to take a progressive stance on bigotry and the controversy over immigration, and it sort of works. But the familiar, predictable story arc ultimately disappoints. After a violent setup showing the DEA agents' murder, Wanted Man establishes Travis Johansen with an all-too-real-looking police brutality/racism video. Next, it teams the character with current and former colleagues Hilts (Aaron McPherson), Tinelli (Michael Paré), and Brynner (Kelsey Grammer). They go drink in a strip club and rattle off the most stereotypical, racist complaints possible about Mexican immigrants ("they come here looking for a handout," etc.). It's tricky territory, but the movie's goal is to make it clear that those attitudes are wrong.
Ultimately, the wounded Johansen spends time with a Mexican family, being cared for and coming to know and appreciate them as individuals. (There's a charming moment when viewers see that he's become involved in the elderly matriarch's daily telenovela viewings.) Unfortunately, the screenplay by Lundgren, Hank Hugues, and Michael Worth borrows too many overfamiliar plot elements, many of them seemingly lifted from Clint Eastwood movies (Coogan's Bluff, The Beguiled, The Gauntlet, Gran Torino, etc.), slogging through them with a dull devotion. There are a couple of good action scenes, and Johansen has a satisfying redemption, but, sadly, there isn't enough to Wanted Man to recommend it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Wanted Man's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What does the movie have to say about racist behavior? How is it criticized, if at all?
Does the movie rely on any cultural stereotypes? If so, what are they, and what makes them problematic?
How are drinking and drug use depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How are sex workers depicted? Are they treated with respect?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 19, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : January 19, 2024
- Cast : Dolph Lundgren , Christina Villa , Kelsey Grammer
- Director : Dolph Lundgren
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Quiver Distribution
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : March 15, 2024
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