James McEvoy and Angelina Jolie star in ''Wanted.'' (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

A superhero for our times: ‘Wanted’

By Bob Polunsky
Guest Columnist

“Wanted” could have been a plot outline for a “Spider-man” adventure with its story of a nerd blossoming into an invincible hero when he discovers his latent powers.

That knowledge actually gives him more power than “Spider-man,” “Superman” and “The Incredible Hulk” put together.

His name is Wesley Gibson (James McEvoy), and he takes his superhero role quite seriously once his superpower is unleashed. He is inspired by a sexy woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie), and her character is reminiscent of the Dragon Lady in “Terry and the Pirates” during radio’s heyday.

Once Gibson and Fox have a meeting of minds and superpowers, they have no comparisons in today’s movie world. Their car chases and bloody fights with enemies might look familiar to moviegoers at first glance, but the chases are faster and the fights bloodier.

Even their missions in life are different from superheroes today, and that’s good news. “Wanted” is different enough to keep you guessing, and both Wesley Gibson and Fox are new and different characters for an action film. The key word to understand their attitude toward others is “justice.” They not only understand what justice means to civilization as they know it but also proficient when spreading its effects to others in their world.

Sloan (Morgan Freeman) is the head guy in an organization that insists on vengeance when one of their members is murdered. Fox is Sloan’s assistant, and her job is to engineer a way for Gibson to unleash his powers and thereby lose his nerdy image. She wants him to avenge the murder of one of Sloan’s men who also happened to be Gibson’s father.

Sloan’s group is a cadre of assassins known as The Fraternity, and killing a member of The Fraternity is against the rules. Sloan says it is payback time, and Fox’s job is to convince Gibson of his duty to get revenge. Sloan and Fox will teach him what they know, then turn him loose and watch how he applies his energy and resourcefulness to his newfound powers.

The movie wouldn’t work without competent actors to give the film its spark. Oscar winner Morgan Freeman adds his sage presence and knowing demeanor. He just has to look stern to convince us that he’s in charge and intends to call the shots.

Angelina Jolie’s sexy look is well known to moviegoers. She radiates confidence and danger at the same time so she is custom-fitted to her character as much as Freeman is to his character.

The unknown quantity is James McEvoy, an actor with very little exposure in action films. He looks like a nerd and, in his early scenes, is a nerd.

Once his powers of lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility are unleashed, however, the confidence reflected in his walk, talk and eyes make him look taller, feistier and more determined. It’s as if he was just told that he is playing a comic book hero, and, in fact, “Wanted” is based on a comic book so the look on Gibson’s face is justified. 

No doubt “Spider-man,” “Superman” and “The Incredible Hulk” will consider Wesley Gibson one of the boys because “Wanted” has the same appeal they have – with the added plus of Angelina Jolie’s sultry sexiness. It’s an unbeatable combination.  
 
Studio rating: R for violence
Bob says: “Super”
3 Stars