Wanted ***

Cast: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Running Length: 1:50
MPAA Classification: R

Wesley Gibson (McAvoy) is an accounts manager with no excitement in his life. He doesn’t seem to even like himself too much. Then, one day he meets Fox (Jolie), and his world is turned upside down. Fox is a member of a thousands-year old secret society of assassins. Wesley’s father was also a member, with a lot of talent when it comes to killing people. Wesley believed his dad to be dead for years, but it turns out he was just murdered by Cross (Kretschmann), and the fraternity wants Wesley’s help in delivering justice. Soon, Wesley discovers that he has special skills like his father, and is learning the ways of the fraternity. But all is not as it seems, and Wesley may be in deeper than he realizes.

“Wanted” is an interesting action film. It is reminiscent of both “The Matrix” and “Fight Club”, but resembles neither. It is full of interesting, logic-suspending fight/assassination scenes that are visually impressive to watch. McAvoy brings life to Wesley and makes him someone that the viewer can relate to. The storyline is different enough and interesting to make it an above average action film. The supporting cast gets the job done as well. Can Morgan Freeman do any wrong? Overall, “Wanted” delivers a pretty intense 110 minutes, and is not a mindless summer action movie. This is worth checking out.

The Haunted Mansion ***

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly, Wallace Shawn, Dina Waters, Marc John Jefferies, Aree Davis
Director: Rob Minkoff

This latest theme park turned into a movie from Disney finds married realtors Jim and Sara Evers and family stopping by a potential client's mansion on the way to a family vacation. All is not as it seems, and they quickly find out the place is haunted. Also, their selection as realtors may or may not be something more than just coincidence. Like Pirates of the Caribbean earlier this year, Disney manages to infuse life into a movie based on a ride. Although nowhere near as good as Pirates, The Haunted Mansion is an enjoyable family film. Terence Stamp, as Ramsley the butler, steals every scene he is in, and Eddie Murphy seems destined to star in family friendly movies for the rest of his career.