25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut. Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie). After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad's death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself. With wickedly brilliant tutors--including the Fraternity's enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman)--Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.
This movie was pure adrenaline. When I first saw the preview, I was scared that the movie would be another one of those kick ass action movies that looks awesome and then degenerates in to a pointless pile of dung a la Crank or Shoot Em Up. I was so glad to be dead wrong. This movie was straight up action from the start and had an equally great story line. Are parts of absolutely absurd and far fetched? Of course they are. However, its filmed in such a way that you are able to let go of that silliness and fully immerse in the roller coaster ride anyway. Although they are blatantly using Angelina Jolie to market this movie, the thing that really made this movie was the performance of James McAvoy. His transformation from anxiety ridden cubicle worker to nerves of steel assassin is the true backbone of this movie. The only knock that I would make against this movie is that the buzz and comparisons to The Matrix is a little too much. As awesome as the action is, some of the scenes not in slow motion are a little bit too choppy . . . . . especially the car chases. The car chases in The Matrix Reloaded and The Bourne Ultimatum were edited much better and if they wouldn't have put a little more of that in to this movie, I would stamp it a must see.
I very strongly recommend this movie for anyone looking for a kick ass adrenaline ride. It is definitely worth the trip to theaters.
