Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Wanted is an Awful Movie: don't go see it

We went to see Wanted last night.

I would say I'm a pretty big fan of action/adventure movies. But I left the theater extremely disappointed by those involved in this movie. I wish I had my $19.50 back, so I didn't have to feel like I had supported what was being conveyed. I just feel dirty, nay, soiled now.

I couldn't believe the glorification of guns and violence in this motion picture (I can't bring myself to call it a "film"). Not only that, but at the end (not a spoiler) the lead character actually makes a call for people to take control of their lives... by shooting anyone that gets in their way, it would seem. If you've been beaten down, go out and "grow a pair" by shooting everyone. I can't get that perceived message out of my head, especially when thinking about how a teenager (or adult mentally stunted at that age) would see this movie.

I'm not often this bothered by the "shoot 'em up" style. I love movies like Equilibrium (minus the puppy scene), Pulp Fiction, True Romance, things in the vein of Aeon Flux, etc., etc... So it's not that I'm just blanket against movies with shooting (even copious amounts of shooting).

But Wanted glorified it in such a way that I was appalled. They definitely did their fair share of ripping off Fight Club (to a fault). However, even though Fight Club was chock full of graphic violence and anti-establishment sentiment, it felt different. I'm not against challenging norms. I'm not against thinking for yourself. But Wanted just really felt like it was saying, "If you've got problems, young high school lad, find yourself some cool guns and go shoot all those stuffed shirts and phonies that make your life miserable."

I think film makers have a huge responsibility to the masses for which they create entertainment. Those who made Wanted shirked that responsibility big time. Zero redeeming qualities to the story. OK graphics and action, some things we hadn't seen before, but "tricks" that are vastly overshadowed by a horrible glorification of empty violence.

That's my $.02.

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2 comments:

captain lizardo said...

Jesus Christ, Dan. Grow a pair already, geez.

Stop with yr whining and stick up fer yrself.

"Click, click."(re-loads).

The Invisible said...

After reading your post, I have reconsidered... you are right, and I have formed my list.

First on it is internet bullies.

See you in a couple of days.

;)