"Wanted": A DVD Movie Review

I admit it. I like Angelina Jolie. I don't agree with everything that she has done in the past but I do believe she genuinely wants to make a positive impact in the world through charity work. I also think she is a pretty good actress.

I am always anxiously waiting for any new movie by the actress. Therefore, I was excited to see "Wanted" when it finally came out on DVD. Unfortunately, for me at least, it was a big disappointment.

Jolie plays Fox, an assassin in a secretive organization known as The Fraternity. The group supposedly works to rid the world of those who would hinder the way the world should work. Almost everyone involved in the organization is convinced that they are working on the side of good. But are they?

She is tasked with bringing a young man by the name of Wesley Gibson (played by John McAvoy) into the group. His father was one of the most valued assassins in The Fraternity. However, when he gets killed by a rival organization, The Fraternity seeks to bring the son in to fill the gap left by his departure.

Morgan Freeman plays Sloan, the head of The Fraternity. His job is to receive and make each assignment to his various agents. He also oversees their rigorous and sometimes sadistic training routine.

I'm not sure that McAvoy was the right choice for the male lead. While he is an up and coming actor, to be certain, he doesn't yet possess the skill and confidence that was needed to pull off such a complex role.

Jolie is excellent as Fox. She steals every possible scene with ease, even when she doesn't speak a single word. Not every actress can pull that off. Jolie can, in spades!

Freeman is outstanding as Sloan, but then the actor doesn't know how to do anything any other way. He is a true professional in every sense of the word.

The screenplay, penned by Michael Brandt and Derek Hass, is unique and inventive. However, it could have been fleshed out a bit more. There are times when the audience gets totally lost trying to figure out exactly what is going on. A good screenplay can tantalize while still providing the necessary answers. This one did not.