Hero Wanted

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Hero Wanted

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Hero Wanted

Ben Cross, Christa Campbell, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jean Smart, Kim Coates

After he awakens in a hospital, a man tracks down and murders the man that left him and a bank teller for dead during a robbery, only to end up having the slain thief's associates come after him in re...( read more  read more... )taliation.

Id: 10887514

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Hero Wanted Recent Reviews
  • briandeguelle
    December 21, 2008
    briandeguelle
    What a great little movie this was.Some nice performance from all.Mr gooding as never been better.The story move at a steady pace and the action sence where done well(John Woo would be happy).Only one little thing bugs me is the title.I absulutly hated the title!!!
  • PvtCaboose91
    August 12, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "Redemption. It's a funny thing. Sometimes you have to go through hell to get it."


    Vigilante action thrillers are common occurrences in contemporary Hollywood. Films such as The Punisher have utilised the concept of revenge for an interesting actioner. Jodie F

    ...( read more)oster in The Brave One toyed with the concept of an innocent civilian fulfilling the duties of a stereotypical vigilante hero. Hero Wanted is a creditably gritty, exciting revenge flick unlike any of its genre forerunners. This is a tragically overlooked and underrated film featuring several great actors and a realistic portrayal of man's darker side. It's rare indeed for a movie to probe that area of human nature with this level of established veracity and pragmatism in the tone. The filmmakers deeply delve into man's desire for their 15 minutes of fame, and the consequences of "being a hero". However, in spite of exploring these deep themes so effectively...the clichés sporadically break through. On the whole, things feel quite formulaic and occasionally predictable. But there is enough taut action and proficient filmmaking on exhibition to bestow a wholly entertaining experience.

    Liam Case (Gooding Jr.) is a despondent garbage man who lost his wife several years ago in a tragic car accident. Now he's an alcoholic sincerely depressed with his insignificant existence. However his life finds further meaning when he witnesses a flaming car wreck unfold. Liam instinctively dives into the situation and rescues a little girl who was trapped in the flames. He subsequently becomes a hero and the city loves him. Following his short period in the spotlight, people move on and forget his heroic act. He therefore returns to his former depressive existence. His heroic instincts are kicked back into action again, however, when he's inside a bank during an armed robbery. The attendant, who he has a crush on, is shot by the robbers and she falls into a coma. Liam decides to search for the gang of robbers and dispense justice on them.

    Hero Wanted bypassed a worldwide cinematical release...instead in most countries it went straight to DVD. In my opinion the film is a sleeper hit. The technical aspect of the film in particular never feels amateurish. The early action sequences are highly impressive: short, tight, explosive and exciting. Even better, the typical shaky cam and quick cutting isn't heavily utilised. The concluding action scene exercises clever dolly shots and wide angles to tell the story. For the most part, the editing is above average. On top of this, pulse-pounding music and a booming sound mix to keep an audience engaged. The action is also grounded in realism and credibility: guns are reloaded, people bleed, and no-one is invincible. The strong graphic violence packs an overwhelming wallop.

    With such a competent team behind the camera, the colossal script failings are unfortunate. The script is repeatedly dragged back to traditional action movie hackneyed themes and theatrical devices. The final 30 minutes grow increasingly preposterous as well. Moreover, the out of place ending proves quite disappointing. It seems too happy and predictable. Characters are treated with too much sentimentality and it's clear the filmmakers were pushing for a "feel good" kind of ending with a smidgen of darkness to its tone. The plot frequently meanders as well with supporting characters introduced for the sake of a violent death. The film's twist proves quite shocking and effective...however it just isn't executed with any style. Much of the dialogue that occasionally sounds intelligent is marred by the contrived profanity.

    Cuba Gooding Jr. is a convincing protagonist. He successfully nails the different facets of his character: from a raging alcoholic to a worried man trying to keep everything under control.
    Ray Liotta seems quite underused, but he appears determined. The rest of the cast are all equally impressive. Thomas Flanagan's villain is particularly effective and sinister when it's called for.

    Overall, Hero Wanted may not be the best vigilante movie ever made or a masterpiece either. Nevertheless, this flick really surprised me. It features a stellar cast, top notch production values and technical proficiency especially during the intense action sequences. It will keep you entertained.
  • armybratgeo
    June 17, 2008
    armybratgeo
    I actually still like Cuba Gooding Jr, even though he's been making some not so good movies lately. This was ok, nothing to exciting and very predictable. But entertaining... I just wish he would be offred some more of the roles he used to play. He's got such great talent.
  • mrpopcorn
    March 15, 2008
    mrpopcorn
    Hero Wanted was an alright film. If you will use a recycled plot and put it in your film, you are complied to bring something new to the table and I think 'Hero Wanted' failed to do that. It was the "mild mannered man aka Divine Intervention" all over again and to be honest, I'm ...( read more)getting pretty tired of it.

    Now, don't get me wrong Death Sentence was awesome and they too have used the same idea as Hero Wanted but with Death Sentence, they brought something new to the overused plot. The action was decent enough but the blood and gore is in the middle. Its not that gory but its not suitable for the very weak hearted either.

    The films only grace was Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance. He gives off stellar acting that only the best can give. Its a pity he was in the wrong film. He carried the whole film all through out and that's what made me give this film a 3.

    The ending was a okay. I mean, it was good and all but I might forget it in a week or two. Watch this if you wanna see Cuba Gooding Jr's brilliant acting but if you don't just pass on this one.
  • Rawdogg
    November 29, 2009
    Rawdogg
    What the hell did I just watch?! This movie was beyond stupid. I've never wished death upon Cuba Gooding Jr, but fuck... in this movie he was DAMN obnoxious. The little girl was fucking annoying too, I like how the filmmakers just slapped a ton of makeup on her to make her look o...( read more)lder. I wish Tommy Flanagan would've just pumped round after round of lead into their chests and ended this. Ray Liotta really has to start picking better movies to star in... he's way above this kind of shit.
  • jasontmartin3
    October 7, 2009
    jasontmartin3
    I dont know how I miss these movies.
  • EbertsLittleApprentice
    September 28, 2009
    EbertsLittleApprentice
    Started out with a pretty solid beggining, yet it was confusing. I started to get really intuned. It kept getting better and better, and suddeningly got even better.

    Thiks film is seriously , and scaringly violent. You will not see any of the crazy stuff coming, this film is n...( read more)ot in any way shape or form, as Eccentric as "Shadowboxer" or as crispy Fight scenes as "Dirty", or the losely fast paced "End game", and the shockingly drool Action in 'Way of war" wasn't even worth the title of the movie.

    Then it made a crashing halt on the entertaining parts, too allright chase scenes. It was still way better then I expected, but "Gooding Jr." will never outdo his "Men of Honor", and radio" roles. Never.

    This film is also Full of Strong Vulgar language and Intense Violence.
  • JaneTristanDoe
    July 17, 2009
    JaneTristanDoe
    Really good movie!! Cuba Gooding Jr. gave a very powerful performance! I think it's a good watch!
  • boriserjavec
    June 22, 2009
    boriserjavec
    trying to be a hero to get a woman, nice story
  • thelna1
    June 2, 2009
    thelna1
    good story, and cuba always gets you to connect to his character, so he is always watchable.
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