Wanted

A reasonably well-realized and visually arresting action film from Timur Bekmambetov, director of the brain-dead but beautiful Day Watch and Night Watch. James McAvoy plays Wesley Gibson, an office schlub who finds his spiritual center by becoming a paid assassin. Angelina Jolie plays Fox, a killer who has the power to curve bullets and shorten men’s pants. She recruits Wesley into an ancient fraternity of assassins, and together, they reduce the lifespans of bad people who want to, like, commit acts of genocide or litter or something. The assassins, in spite of their dedication to making fewer people be alive, are supposed to be good guys, because we couldn’t possibly root for someone who wasn’t a good guy. That’s why we all love George Bush and hate the French. The story peters out a bit in the middle, but it has a strong ending, and in spite of its pandering, it’s still basically entertaining, if that’s what you’re into. So go ahead and watch it. No one will judge you.