7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
A young office worker learns that he is the son of a assassin and that he shares his father's superhuman killing abilities.
Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence Stamp, Thomas KretschmannAction | 100% |
Thriller | 67% |
Crime | 34% |
Comic book | 27% |
Fantasy | 23% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy (on disc)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Do you make sweaters or do you kill people?
Audiences wanting to break out of the action movie doldrums and discover a fresh take on the
genre need look no further than Wanted, a sleeper hit of the 2008 summer movie
marathon. Utilizing the slow-motion, bullet tracking excitement of The Matrix, car
chases
that are faster and more furious than most, and featuring a plot twist that would make M. Night
Shyamalan proud, Wanted packs quite the punch, and features a unique visual style that
sets its apart from more standard-fare run-and-gun Action flicks. While Wanted doesn't
feature a lead character that seems destined to burgeon into an icon of the genre, like a John McClane, the rough,
gritty edge of a movie like Man on Fire, or the
grace and refinement of the ballet of action as seen in something like Face/Off,
Wanted nevertheless incorporates much of what made each of these, and other
respected action pictures, work. The film blends the new with the old, creating for itself a unique
style that pushes boundaries and leaves action-hungry audiences craving more.
Who needs to bend bullets when you can bend the gun?
Wanted shoots onto Blu-ray with a high quality 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. The image is another stunner from Universal, perhaps not quite reaching the top of the mountain in terms of picture quality, failing to surpass the likes of Baraka and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, but coming close. The transfer features a warm color palette; flesh tones take on a rosy tint much of the time, but colors in general are not so over-saturated so as to appear abnormal. A layer of film grain is retained over the image, and the disc sports an excellent cinematic look and feel throughout. Detail is noticeably strong throughout the entirety of the film. The various urban environments seen throughout the film particularly shine; the exterior of Gibson's apartment looks gorgeous, with wonderful texture featured on the bricks making up the building's façade, and the street pavement make the image look practically three dimensional and could seemingly only look more real in person. Detail in clothing reveals every stitch in close-up shots, and zoomed-in shots of faces offer viewers the finest of nuances. Perhaps the only real fault here is that several shots appear a bit hazy and undefined, particularly near the end of the film, but for the most part, Wanted offers viewers yet another near reference-quality transfer from Universal.
Wanted definitely excels in the audio department, providing fans with a ridiculously loud, active, and entertaining DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Not only is the track powerful, but it is refined and finely-tuned, featuring fine fidelity and sound placement that creates a seamless environment, a sonic work of art that excels at bringing the movie's action to vivid life. Sound screams from every corner, be it gunfire or the film's score and popular music that blast away throughout the movie. The film's first shootout in the pharmacy as heard in chapter three features an explosion of sound; it is loud, exciting, and a fantastic reason to own a home theater. In a subsequent car chase scene, listeners can literally feel the throttle and acceleration, the twisted metal, and the shattered glass, all of it flowing into the room with absolutely no problem. This soundtrack features an almost unparalleled level of bass as the LFE channel works triple time to ensure listeners hear -- and feel -- the movie. The train fight sequence, and its aftermath has heard in chapter 15, is perhaps the ultimate workout for any sound system. Play this sequence several times, slather it in oil, and it will be ready to compete for the title of Mr. Universe. Throughout the entirety of the movie, the sound comes alive and bursts forth from the speakers like few, if any, before it. This is definitely one of the very best soundtracks yet, with a clarity and definition that trounces most movie theater experiences.
Wanted comes to Blu-ray as an explosive, jam-packed special edition. Wanted
is,
of course, equipped with Universal's U-Control picture-in-picture functionality, this time with four
separate tracks. Motion Comics features a narrated version of the Top Cow graphic
novel.
Scene Explorer allows viewers to see the film in several early forms, including
hand-drawn
storyboards, a computerized previsualization sequence, and behind-the-scenes footage. Users
may
view any of the options full-screen. Assassin Profiles allows viewers to access text- and
graphics-based information on the weapons utilized in the film, dossiers of various assassins seen
throughout the film, and a Global GPS Locator. Picture in Picture is a basic feature that
showcases interviews with cast and crew, behind-the-scenes examinations of the making of the
film's special effects, the creation of the film's props, and more. This disc is also equipped with
My Scenes technology, allowing users to bookmark scenes and create custom clips.
An alternate opening to the film (1080p, 2:38), and an extended scene (480p, 1:58) are
next. Cast and
Characters (1080p, 19:59) features behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast
and crew that go deeper into the casting, the making of the film's visual stunts and special
effects, and more. Stunts on the L Train (1080p, 2:30) takes a brief and specific look at
the making of one of the film's dramatic speeding train sequences. Special Effects: The Art of
the Impossible (1080p, 8:27) features Special Effects Supervisor Dominic Tuohy, producer
Marc Platt, director Timur Bekmambetov, actor James McAvoy, and others further describing the
making of the film's special effects. Groundbreaking Visual Effects: From Imagination to
Execution (1080p, 8:06) features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film's
Russian-made special effects, the use of previsualization to assist the special effects artists, and
more.
The Origins of 'Wanted': Bringing the Graphic Novel to Life (1080p, 8:05) features an
extended discussion with graphic novel author Mark Millar discussing his inspirations, the
European angle of the story, the novel's unique visuals, and more. Through the Eyes of
Visionary Director Timur Bekmambetov (1080p, 9:05) features the cast and crew discussing
the
director's professionalism and unique approach to filmmaking. 'Wanted': Motion Comics
(1080p, 13:55) is a series of narrated images from the graphic novel, the same series found in
the Motion Comics section of the U-Control feature. The Making of 'Wanted: The
Game' (1080p, 10:01) takes viewers inside the production of the film's video game-based
sequel. Throughout the bonus features, users will discover secret codes that may be used to
unlock portions of the video game. This disc also features BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0)
connectivity, though the feature was not available at time of writing. Disc two of this set
contains a digital copy of the film. Played back on a second generation iPod Touch,
Wanted looks surprisingly bland compared to other digital copies, featuring the heaviest
blocking seen yet on a reviewed digital copy. The sound is equally uninspired, though it does
feature a few nice left to right and right to left directional effects.
Wanted offers action viewers something new, something bold, something more thrilling and engaging than the dime-a-dozen action flicks that tend to bore audiences with repetitive action sequences and "been there, done that" special effects. The film never tries to tackle social, moral, or political issues underneath its surface. For the most part, it is what it is, and that is one of the reasons why the film works rather well. Perhaps not destined to be classic, Wanted nevertheless delivers a solid story with a nice twist, first-rate action, groundbreaking stunts and effects, and generally good performances both in front of and behind the camera. Universal's Blu-ray release of this summer blockbuster is another fine effort from the studio. Featuring great picture quality, a deafening reference soundtrack, and a nice assortment of bonus materials, the disc is a must-own for fans. Wanted receives a solid recommendation.
Limited Edition Collector's Set
2008
2008
2000's Best Of The Decade Collection
2008
Academy Award Series
2008
Limited Edition
2008
2008
2018
2011
2009
2008
Rogue Assassin
2007
Extended Cut
2013
30th Anniversary Edition
1992
2012
2014
2014
1995
2009
2008
2004
2015
2008
Fully Loaded Edition
2008
2007
2008
Director's Cut
2003