Wanted

This was a surprise in waiting – good action movie that will keep you seated in your seat and make you enjoy watching it. A arrogant, ruthless, sharp shooter and a gangster, who works for a "Don," on his own terms and has no emotions, becomes a killing machine as he starts killing his boss's enemies but then he sees a beautiful woman. At the same time he has enemies.

Starring Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia, Mahesh Manrekar, Vinod Khanna, Om Puri and Sayaji Shinde, this is directed by Prabhudeva and is produced by Boney Kapoor. The music score is provided by Sajid Wajid while Salim Suleiman also provide a good back ground score. Anil Kapoor and Govinda make a special appearance.

The first half contains some comedy along with romance and action and this makes it a good combination to watch but the second half is more action orientated. Salman Khan has suited the role very well and it makes it a change to see him in action after a long time, though he does remove his shirt, while Ayesha Takia, has improved once again. The other actors also make a good contribution to this movie as does Vinod Khanna in a supporting role and whose character really pushes the story to its climax. Some songs are memorable and are worth listening to and the cinematography is also worth watching.

Director Prabhudeva has done a good job in directing this romantic, action movie with added small dose of comedy.

Some may find this too violent but it is a movie that can be watched with your family and is worth watching.

It's good news for the real Bollywood fans, the common man, living out of the metros in small cities, towns and villages. Salman Khan brings back to them their good old action cinema with the same punches and enthusiasm which got lost in the new age glossy kind of movies in the recent years. The angry young man is back on the screen bashing all the bad men real hard. And it was indeed a lot of fun and relief to see a true Bollywood kind of movie after a long time stuffed with our own trademark action, fights, love, dance and songs.

Remake of "Pokiri" already made in Telugu and Tamil, "Wanted" starts off normally with a mention of Mumbai underworld nexus and a newly appointed honest Police Commissioner in the town. Salman Khan makes a routine entry as the usual filmy action hero who works for the underworld dons and is known for his killer instincts and attitude. After a few slow initial moments, the movie starts growing on you gradually and holds a strong grip over the viewer till the intermission. Especially the confronting scene at the basket ball court between Salman and Mahesh Manjrekar sets the mood in and you start enjoying the movie from there on.

The explosive second half is a real treat for the action lovers where Salman beats and kills uncountable men left and right with a great confidence. Here you witness the good old cinema of Bollywood Heroism back on screen where the Macho Man is hitting more than 20 men on the screen among the loud roar of claps and shouts from the audiences. Later we even have a suspense element added towards the climax which though is predictable but still adds more spirit to the highly violent fight sequence in the end.

Salman shows great attitude in his highly brutal act and also looks very cool in his casual shirts & denims. His emotional scenes with Ayesha Takia are equally convincing and enjoyable. Thinking about his amazing action scenes in the movie, you just cannot imagine anyone else doing more justice to the role other than Salman himself. Here, I would also like to mention, one highly appreciable scene in the movie where Salman Khan strongly criticizes his close friend for eating "Gutka". That was indeed a very commendable effort from the actor to save many lives from this highly famous killing habit in the youth today.

Ayesha as the leading lady unexpectedly gives a spirited performance in the movie and is not just there for adding glamour. Mahesh Manjrekar, as the corrupt cop, deserves a special mention for his scenes providing the right momentum to the movie. Govind Namdeo suits the role of Police Chief perfectly but Vinod Khanna is completely wasted in an unimportant role. Mahek Chahal is there as the vamp and Manoj Pahwa tries to make you laugh with his not so entertaining getup.

Sajid Wajid come up with a couple of good numbers enjoyable on the screen (with a special appearance of Govinda & Anil Kapoor), otherwise the movie could easily do without so many songs. Action is the main asset of the movie, getting the much needed support from its Cinematographer. Story wise, "Wanted" has nothing new to offer, but after a long time, Indian Common Man gets a pure MASALA Movie to enjoy on the lines of highly successful action movies released a few decades back. I would even like to rate "Wanted" better than "Ghajini" since it does not take help of any additional (memory) gimmicks added deliberately in the script.

Surprisingly, this hardcore action movie comes from the director "Prabhu Deva" who is more famous in Hindi Cinema for his amazing dance movements. And quite unpredictably, he delivers a highly entertaining flick especially for the single screen theater viewers, who simply love Bollywood movies as one of the most important passions of their lives. The critiques may find it over the top and the thinking viewer may take it as a routine flick with a weak script. But if you are not among any of these, then just go for this engaging action drama and enjoy the three hours in the dark with your friends. It's pure Bollywood for the masses, coming back to the silver screen after a long time. At least, it is not a usual inspired movie from the west for a change.

In a nutshell, if you loved watching Amitabh in "Deewar" & Sunny Deol in "Ghayal", then here is another equally entertaining act by the still young & angry Salman Khan. "Wanted" is undoubtedly among his most hard hitting and enjoyable movies till date with a different Salman altogether as never seen before. So, just go for it now and have a great time with him.

Prabhu Deva's 'Wanted' is strictly, strictly, strictly meant for the hoi polloi.

Remake of a Telugu hit,'Wanted' reminds of 80's cinema of bollywood. Fights, Violence... Songs, Romance, Emotional Melodrama, ha 'Wanted' is so outdated. But no doubt, a film like 'Wanted' still manages an audience, as mentioned the film is aimed for the masses & only them. The clap-worthy one-liners, the mar-dhard... all this is pleasing, for them at least.

On the flip side, There's hardy any story. One fight scene, One song, One fight scene, One song. A wafer-thin plot that gets dragging, especially post interval. Plus, the violence and chillam-chili is too much after a certain point. Songs are good to hear, but pop-up for no reason.

Performances: Salman is as usual, though his continuity is inconsistent. In songs he sports long hair, while other-wise a military cut. Ayesha Takia is fair. Mahesh Manjrekar is fantastic as the conniving cop. Prakash Raj is funny, especially in the scene when he tries to escape from the cops, the aftermath is truly hilarious. Vinod Khanna deserved more footage. Inder Kumar, Sajid & Kader Khan's son are good in their parts. Mahek is decent. Manoj Phawa tries hard to make you laugh, but succeeds at times nevertheless. Assem Merchant, Raju Mawani & others are okay.

On the whole, watch 'Wanted'... but don't forget to leave your brains at home.

Wanted is Salman Khan's most definitive statement to the film world. If ShahRukh Khan can give an Om Shanti Om and Aamir Khan can give a Ghajini to the masses, he can give something even more explosive and entertaining. Yes, Salman Khan tops other Khans in this South Indian film inspired - action packed explosion that is directed by Prabhudeva, the accomplished choreographer. Salman doesn't have his over-the-top accent or his fake tears to accompany him in this venture that takes him from a tapori to a ruthless terminator of the underworld. Wanted is exaggerated, preposterous and laughable but that is exactly what it was meant to be. Prabhudeva has strong roots in South Indian cinema where action is fast paced with jerky camera motions that send everyone flying high but to incorporate all this into an entertaining movie deserves some pat on his back. He may not be a renowned film maker but he knows exactly what it takes to deliver an explosive action movie and boy does he do it in style!

Radhe (Salman Khan) is a tapori who can commit himself to any task for the money involved to the extent that he wouldn't even listen to himself and he means it. Ayesha Takia is his love interest that never gets in his way of killing goons and fighting his way through the day. Where the heroine of a film can easily distract the plot and hero, Prabhudeva manages to keep her role restricted to songs and light hearted relief after a heavy doze of action. Just like his character, Salman Khan is a one man army in the movie. His performance, action and even Prabhudeva - choreographed dancing is the heart and soul of the film. Wanted is easily one of his best performances that has encompassed all that he is capable of doing (excluding comedy).

While the romantic breaks and songs are nothing more than a restroom or samosa break for the viewer, the action is relentless and even though it is over-the-top in typical South Indian film style, it is nevertheless, kick-ass and ruthless! If Hollywood can be proud of Tarantino's Kill Bill style of action, then we must be proud of Prabhudeva's version of stylized action. We are not talking about realistic fight sequences or martial arts but of what we remember Sunny Deol's movies for - ruthless, high octane, one man show of just knocking the man down with fists, kicks, guns or whatever comes in our hero's hands. There is no mercy in showcasing blood and gore because when we see Salman Khan all charged up to deliver the other guy straight to hell, we can see him as the Terminator without an automatic weapon. He is an unstoppable force who is not deterred by Police, gangs, underworld, knives, guns or sharp objects. He just flings them right back in Rajnikant style and that is what makes this movie even more enjoyable. Just go watch it with this notion in mind that it is a Rajnikant style action film but made in Bollywood with Salman Khan taking on whatever comes in his way and you shall then be entertained.

Prabhudeva leaves no chapter out from the book of 'how to make a masala movie' with a non-stop delivery of excitement with occasional humour, romance, songs, drama, reality, action and unbelievable heroics. He makes Salman perform every ritual that we can expect and not expect. Who knew that the 'sturdy' Salman could dance with such flexibility and style in love me?? He acts fearless against the biggest Don, challenges and embarrasses Policemen, reaches Andheri station even before the train gets there, is available wherever his need arises, shows no mercy to anyone who inflicts harm upon his family or his loved one and yes, of course, he takes his shirt off while doing so as well!

The film may be a bit too long and the random songs on international hotspots maybe unwarranted but when we see Salman as an unstoppable force, we know it's clobbering time! Salman hasn't lost his position in Bollywood and with Wanted, he asserts himself in the most convincing manner. The masses will love it because the film was made for them but overall, it's entertainment that comes with its warnings. Prabhudeva, from down South, delivers what many Hindi film directors have failed on countless attempts. An entertaining action flick with all the masala to add to your popcorn.

-7.44 on a scale of 1-10.

Great style, action, acting, comedy, love story....this film seems to have got everything.

The movie is paced properly and hats off to Prabhudeva for his direction. The songs and dance sequences are superb.

Salman has really worked hard on this film...and its paid off well. Man the ways hes danced, moved, acted, done the action part...marvellous....superb...extra-ordinaire...

Ayesha looks cute and cool...(have liked her so much for the 1st time, how come i did not notice her earlier). Mahesh Manjrekar has put on a role up there....what a class bad act....way to go...Shivaji Raje...

All in all one grand entertainer....this is the one that swept away the floor beneath me after Ghajini.

Salman..infinite cheers!!! Though i am not a big fan of yours....lately i am liking you day by day by your work both socially and in films.