Wanted (2008)

Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is ordinary. His ordinary existence has him ill-prepared for his extraordinary linieage. Wesley is the son of one of the world's most notorious assassins. When given the chance to join The Fraternity to avenge his long-lost father's death, Wesley leaves behind ordinary. Schooled by Fox (Angelina Jolie), Pekwarsky (Terrance Stamp), Gunsmith (rapper Common), The Butcher and The Exterminator (Russian dudes from Nightwatch), Wesley becomes an assassin. Mentored by Sloan (Morgan Freeman), Wesley learns the history behind the Weavers and the mythological Fates in a magical loom. {I know--sounds gay.}

Director Timur Bekmambetov {and I mention him only for a select few) makes his American film debut with Wanted. Pure adrenaline-fueled entainment, Wanted is cinema gold thanks to awesome CGI, superhot casting, nonstop shootouts, humor, and philosophical meanderings. Move over Neo--we've got Wesley!

James McAvoy (surprisingly) leads a stellar cast: he developing quite the acting chops. His sarcastic narration sets the pace. As Wesley, his evolution from pussy to 'The Man' feels genuine. Angelina is lethal and uber-gorgeous as Fox. This onscreen sexpot, looking skinnier that usual, is beautiful foil to McAvoy. Freeman turns it down a notch as Sloan, but manages the Sage-part, i.e., Morpheus role perfectly. It was cool to see Anton--I mean Konstantin Khabensky. His role as The Exterminator is too cool.

Bekmambetov has created a fantasy for all the cubicle dwellers, assistant {to the} regional managers, Joe Blows, and as my brother says "white Anglo-Saxon Protestants" that work hard in their seemingly mundane lives. The production is that gritty and highly-stylized feel I've come to love from this director. The CGI is masterful; his manipulation of the camera to evoke visual emotion is amazing and his touch of dark humor is always in good taste. Inside the action-packed exterior lies the soul-searching human drama that validates, maybe, the profane and violent.

With its Zen discussions and curved bullets, Wanted is clearly new Matrix. What should be s summer blockbuster will be merely a footnote of 2008, I think. It's a must-see on the big screen. Explosive and awesome, Wanted will leave you thinking "What have I done lately?"