--- title: "Wanted: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/wanted/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/wanted" critics_score: 66 critics_reviews: 17 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Wanted (2008): what the critics said Critics' score 66 from 17 reviews: 9 positive, 5 mixed, 3 negative. Most critics find Wanted entertaining, with praise centred on Timur Bekmambetov’s inventive action rather than the story supporting it. The reviews repeatedly credit the escalating set-pieces, imaginative gun battles and elaborate stunts with making its excess enjoyable. James McAvoy’s convincing transformation into an action hero attracts particular approval, while Angelina Jolie’s cool presence and physical performance win praise even from some detractors. The spread is wide: enthusiastic responses welcome the absurdity, while less favourable reviews find the plotting derivative, the violence gratuitous or the spectacle overindulgent. The AV Club captures the divide within a single review, admiring the execution while finding the power fantasy repulsive. The New Yorker objects to the exaggerated style and violence but still singles out Jolie for praise. The disagreement rests largely on how much inventive action can compensate for thin character reasoning and a familiar story. ## The Hollywood Reporter — The Associated Press Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2008. Festival review. The critic gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, calling it an over-the-top action thriller with plenty of appeal. They single out its wildly inventive, computer-generated action sequences and jaw-dropping stunt work for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wanted-114275/) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 82/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Newman finds the film an entertaining, inventive action movie that works on its own terms. He particularly praises Bekmambetov’s escalating set-pieces and McAvoy’s convincing transformation into an action hero. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/wanted-2-review/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 25 June 2008. The critic calls it massively enjoyable popcorn entertainment and one of the freshest summer movies in years. They single out Bekmambetov’s imaginative, energetic action, especially the mountainous-bridge train crash. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/wanted-review/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 19 June 2008. Festival review. McCarthy finds the film a relentless, inventive action spectacle that signals Bekmambetov’s arrival in Hollywood. He praises the striking visual style and cast, especially McAvoy’s transformation and Jolie’s tough, self-aware performance, while noting that some flourishes are gratuitous. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/wanted-1200508935/) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating B-. 26 June 2008. Phipps finds the film’s power fantasy repulsive, but says its execution makes it a considerable success. He praises Bekmambetov’s frenetic, coherent action and McAvoy’s portrayal of the protagonist’s transformation. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/wanted-1798204501) ## Screen Daily — John Hazelton Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 20 June 2008. The page identifies this as John Hazelton’s review, but the paywall prevents access to the critic’s verdict. No specific praise or complaint is available in the readable text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/wanted/4039458.article) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Rating 2.5/4. 25 June 2008. Schager finds the film’s thrills energetic but its story derivative and its climax less exhilarating than its opening. He praises Angelina Jolie’s magnetic, ferociously physical performance, while faulting the film for sidelining her in favor of Wesley’s daddy issues. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/wanted/) ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating 3/5. The review describes the film as a high-octane action adventure and gives it a positive three-star assessment. It singles out James McAvoy’s performance as particularly strong, while noting Angelina Jolie’s cool presence. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-a021dg/wanted/) ## The Guardian — Guardian staff reporter Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 17 October 2008. The review finds the film brainless, hyperactive pulp but admits its spectacular excess is entertaining. It praises the set pieces and camerawork, and notes James McAvoy brings a small measure of humanity. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/17/dvdreviews-actionandadventure1) ## Time Out — David Jenkins Rating 2/5. 24 June 2008. The low rating signals a largely unfavorable verdict. The available description criticizes the action caper for seeming heavily indebted to The Matrix films. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/wanted-1) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 2008. Lane’s verdict on “Wanted” is largely negative, criticizing its relentlessly exaggerated style and gratuitous violence. He singles out Angelina Jolie’s performance as a bright spot, praising her cool, splendid presence. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/30/big-kills) ## Digital Spy — Alex Fletcher Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 June 2008. The critic finds the film thoroughly satisfying and calls it standout action entertainment. They praise James McAvoy’s convincing transformation and Timur Bekmambetov’s visceral action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a103459/wanted-103459/) ## Eye for Film — Scott Macdonald Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 February 2009. The critic is enthusiastically positive about the film’s gleefully over-the-top action, despite finding it mindless. They single out the imaginative gun battles and efficiently staged action sequences for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/wanted-film-review-by-scott-macdonald) ## The Skinny — Paul Greenwood Rating ★★★★. 23 June 2008. Greenwood finds the film a successful, spectacular action movie, despite some elements that threaten to become silly. He singles out its audacious action, pounding soundtrack, and Angelina Jolie’s star-making performance. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/wanted) ## /Film — Hunter Stephenson Rating 7/10. 28 June 2008. Stephenson finds Wanted’s reckless, logic-defying action entertaining, though ultimately overindulgent and forgettable. He singles out the lavish stunts and Angelina Jolie’s striking screen presence for praise. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/499747/hunter-stephensons-movie-review-wanted/) ## Den of Geek — Kevin Pocock Rating 3/5. 24 June 2008. Pocock finds Wanted a fast, feel-good action film that largely works, though it is not fully cohesive. He praises McAvoy’s charismatic performance and the film’s thrilling action and memorable guitar riff. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/wanted-review/) ## Paste — Robert Davis Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 30 June 2008. Davis finds the film’s action entertaining but its characters’ flimsy reasoning undermines the plot. He especially praises Morgan Freeman, whose delivery makes even the film’s far-fetched explanations sound convincing. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/morgan-freeman/wanted) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/wanted.md