Wild Target (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Dean M

  
  Awesome comedy of the hired assassins as American and English producers are seemingly out of ideas, or convinced no-one watches films made off their shores. French archives are a regular source of US/UK rip-offs - sorry, homages - with this light British hitman caper based upon a 1993… More
  Awesome comedy of the hired assassins as American and English producers are seemingly out of ideas, or convinced no-one watches films made off their shores. French archives are a regular source of US/UK rip-offs - sorry, homages - with this light British hitman caper based upon a 1993 Jean Rochefort farce. Bubbly Emily Blunt stretches to make us believe the crap con-job she does on Rupert Everett's underused baddie, while Bill Nighy is custom-built for a lonely, proper killer suddenly losing control. But <i>Harry Potter</i> tag-along Rupert Grint, as homeless dude Tony, doesn't just get involved with Victor (Nighy) and Rose (Blunt) in a paltry way. His continued presence is the stuff of slim pickings greatly assisting with how the black-comedy screwballing of the first act segues into standard drama which loosens the grip on your laughing gear. Aside from the Grint factor, <i>Wild Target</i> also gets wonky when young Rose begins to fall for creaky Victor. Nighy and Blunt can sell it, but you won't be buying.

• Melvin W

  
  Tony: You know I'm a terrible shot. I could easily aim at your head and blow your balls off.  "They said 'take her out'. He got the wrong idea." I'm slightly disappointed with Wild Target, but I still did find it pleasant and every once in awhile really… More
  Tony: You know I'm a terrible shot. I could easily aim at your head and blow your balls off.  "They said 'take her out'. He got the wrong idea." I'm slightly disappointed with Wild Target, but I still did find it pleasant and every once in awhile really funny; just not often enough. Before going in I knew what the best part of this movie was going to be; Emily Blunt. She didn't disappoint either. Bill Nighy is pretty good too. Rupert Grint is okay and it is nice to see him in something other then Harry Potter. As for the movie itself it does go through stretches where it's just not funny. It's easy to tell it's trying to be funny, but it's just not.  The film does enough charm to get by though; mostly due to Emily Blunt. The movie follows an older hit man. He's supposed to kill a woman who ripped off a gangster and got away with a lot of money. Instead he begins to protect her. The story has a lot of potential in it and that is why the movie is a little disappointing. It could of been great. Instead, it's just decent.  If your a fan of Bill Nighy or Emily Blunt; give it a watch. They are both good in it, even if the movie doesn't come together perfectly. It's entertaining enough to hold your attention for the entire film; just don't expect too much more then that.

• Manu G

  
  They said 'Take her out'. He got the wrong idea. Very good English funny film. The story was quite interesting and the funny moments were epic. Emily Blunt is very talented beautiful actress which we will see in movies to come for a few years and Bill Nighy was born for… More
  They said 'Take her out'. He got the wrong idea. Very good English funny film. The story was quite interesting and the funny moments were epic. Emily Blunt is very talented beautiful actress which we will see in movies to come for a few years and Bill Nighy was born for comedy. It was nice to see Rupert Grint get out of the ginger role of Harry Potter films and do something else. Very recommended to all. Victor Maynard is a middle-aged, solitary assassin, who lives to please his formidable mother, despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims, Rose. He spares her life, unexpectedly acquiring in the process a young apprentice, Tony. Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.

• Dean !

  
  A decent little English comedy about an aging hitman who lives his life by strict rules and discipline. This all goes out the window when he can't kill his latest target a young con-artist and is aided by a young runaway in trying to protect her. It has quite a few funny moments… More
  A decent little English comedy about an aging hitman who lives his life by strict rules and discipline. This all goes out the window when he can't kill his latest target a young con-artist and is aided by a young runaway in trying to protect her. It has quite a few funny moments and some very British humour in this black comedy. A great cast raise the standard and it has a certain charm about it.

• Al S

  
  It's a wild and thoroughly enjoyable comedy. A hilarious, surprisingly heartfelt and wonderful good time loaded with wit, romance and great chemistry from it's tremendous cast. Bill Nighy is wonderfully good. Emily Blunt is just a gem. Rupert Grint is terrific. These three… More
  It's a wild and thoroughly enjoyable comedy. A hilarious, surprisingly heartfelt and wonderful good time loaded with wit, romance and great chemistry from it's tremendous cast. Bill Nighy is wonderfully good. Emily Blunt is just a gem. Rupert Grint is terrific. These three are a fantastic and outrageous combination. A great film that's just a cool and lovable thrill to watch. A full-clip of fun and heart.

• Bruce B

  
  A very funny film about an ageing Hit Man and his target whom he falls in love with. After being hire to kill her he follows her and kills the man about ready to kill her, while trying to make there escape in a cooper they come across another killer in the backseat who the attended… More
  A very funny film about an ageing Hit Man and his target whom he falls in love with. After being hire to kill her he follows her and kills the man about ready to kill her, while trying to make there escape in a cooper they come across another killer in the backseat who the attended shoots and becomes involved. Also the hitman's Mom gets involve overall an enjoyable funny film. Worth 5 Stars

• Lewis C

  
  "Tony, come and see what happens when you don't clean your gun." What could have been an excellent action-comedy with a great cast, ends up being an okay action-comedy with a great cast. Bill Nighy is a professional assassin who turns bodyguard when he feels… More
  "Tony, come and see what happens when you don't clean your gun." What could have been an excellent action-comedy with a great cast, ends up being an okay action-comedy with a great cast. Bill Nighy is a professional assassin who turns bodyguard when he feels compelled to protect a thieving young woman (Emily Blunt) that he's been hired to kill. The two go on the run from other assassins (including Martin Freeman), accompanied by a young man (Rupert Grint) who just so happens to get caught up in their misadventures. It's fun to see Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt (mercy, what a beautiful woman) running around maniacally, and arguing with one another, but Wild Target isn't quite as funny as it had the potential to be. Rupert Grint's character just seems extraneous, and adds little humor or anything else, to the proceedings. I think that Wild Target is worth a rental or watching on TV if you're a fan of the cast, but I'd think twice before buying it sight unseen.

• Jeremy S

  
  Thoroughly enjoyable British comedy. Billy Nighy is transfixing.

• moon r

  
  the premise is hard to overcome: middle-aged man sparking w/a younger woman - blech! ... who wants to watch that? - but charming stars make you embarrassed you had the trepidation to begin with (as cary grant and audrey hepburn proved in "charade"). similarly here bill… More
  the premise is hard to overcome: middle-aged man sparking w/a younger woman - blech! ... who wants to watch that? - but charming stars make you embarrassed you had the trepidation to begin with (as cary grant and audrey hepburn proved in "charade"). similarly here bill nighy and emily blunt ooze charm like ihop has hot butter on sundays. this is beyond a doubt the best nighy's done in awhile and certainly the least cartoonish, turning an unlikeable character into a gent. and blunt is the center of every scene she's in, sexy yet innocent at the same time, i don't know how she does it. and here's a film with, count 'em, two ruperts in it. how often does that happen??? grint is the surprise, capably holding his own in deeper waters than i've ever seen him in. don't let this brit charmer get by you.

• Justin Y

  
  Jonathan Lynn's <i>Wild Target</i> has got the wild and it's got the target.</p><p>This film doesn't blow the roof off the house, and quite frankly it doesn't try to. The humor is obvious, yet effective, and the lively style transforms an… More
  Jonathan Lynn's <i>Wild Target</i> has got the wild and it's got the target.</p><p>This film doesn't blow the roof off the house, and quite frankly it doesn't try to. The humor is obvious, yet effective, and the lively style transforms an assassin picture into a comedic love story without a plethora of lovey-dovey romance. The run time is a brief 90 minutes, but there is some drag in the middle and some of the characters lack sufficient development; however, the slapstick antics and dialogue help cover up these flaws.</p><p>Despite the concept of the plot, <i>Wild Target</i> is rather scarce when it comes to the action, and what little there is isn't astonishing in any way. This is a minor disappointment in the grand scheme of things.</p><p>Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt are fantastic with great introductions, while Blunt gives the movie its name. Rupert Grint is one of those characters without much of a background, but he still manages to amuse. The same can be said about Martin Freeman.</p><p><i>Wild Target</i> is quirky and buoyant in nature, which ends up as a relaxing good time. "Don't make me shoot first and ask questions later."</p>

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"My ear, you sick bastard!" "Put it on ice!"</i> A hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief may change his plans. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"My ear, you sick bastard!" "Put it on ice!"</i> A hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief may change his plans. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> This highly improbable film works, and it works because the two main actors (Nighy playing the driest of dry old sticks, and Blunt playing an amoral but good-hearted free spirit) deliver their parts with the utmost conviction. The script is gently humorous rather than laugh-out-loud funny, but a smile hit my face very early on and seldom left it. Rupert Grint gets a bit more to do than simply be Ron Weasley after having left school, but is otherwise fairly disposable. Martin Freeman showcases some splendidly unlikely teeth. Emily Blunt plays much more attractively than she has in any other film I've seen her in, and takes part in a foot massage scene with Nighy which is, frankly, the most sensuous scene I've seen on screen for a long time. The movie was made by the same production company which made A Bunch Of Amateurs a couple of years ago and, notwithstanding the subject matter, it has a similar feel to it. But deduct a point for a title which is so bland as to be meaningless.

• Film C

  
  its was very amusing throughout, with a great british cast, hwever i found the ending really weird and strange! still worth the watch though.

• Cassandra M

  
  I thoroughly enjoyed this film and found the story to be original and funny throughout, even though is a remake of 1993 French film Cible émouvante. Emily Blunt plays an extremely sexy con-artist who crosses paths with an up-tight Bill Nighy playing a professional assassin hired to… More
  I thoroughly enjoyed this film and found the story to be original and funny throughout, even though is a remake of 1993 French film Cible émouvante. Emily Blunt plays an extremely sexy con-artist who crosses paths with an up-tight Bill Nighy playing a professional assassin hired to kill her. The characters are likable and well-cast. Bill Nighy and Emily Blunt strike up a modern day love-story that is unconventional and yet somehow totally believable. The family bond that is established with Rupert Grint as the adopted son worked very well and was charming. If you want to see something different, interesting and funny then I really recommend giving this film a chance.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint, Eileen Atkins, Rupert Everett, Martin Freeman, Gregor Fisher, James O'Donnell Director: Jonathan Lynn Summary: When veteran hit man Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) finds himself unable to kill his latest target, Rose (Emily Blunt),… More
  Cast: Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint, Eileen Atkins, Rupert Everett, Martin Freeman, Gregor Fisher, James O'Donnell Director: Jonathan Lynn Summary: When veteran hit man Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) finds himself unable to kill his latest target, Rose (Emily Blunt), he winds up with an unexpected sidekick, Tony (Rupert Grint), who thinks Victor is a detective in this action-packed comedy from Britain. Now, with Rose and Tony tagging along, Victor tries to deal with the dual forces of his overbearing mother (Eileen Atkins) and a very angry client (Rupert Everett) who wants Rose dead. My Thoughts: "I thoroughly enjoyed this film and found the story to be original and funny throughout. The characters are quirky with offbeat humour and just make the movie even more enjoyable. Billy Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Grint give terrific performances with a great supporting cast from Martin Freeman, Gregory Fisher and Eileen Atkins who make the most of their time on the screen. The movie is quite funny, in it being the characters, the dialogue, or just the predicaments they find themselves in. I really haven't enjoyed a film like this in awhile. It was a nice change from some of the other comedies I have seen of late. I found this one to be much smarter and done better. Just a great British comedy."

• Christopher H

  
  Without Emily Blunt, "Wild Target" would hardly be enjoyable. Not even sure what to compare the film to. An average action film, an average comedy, and a very below average romantic film. Just average in general.

• Philip P

  
  "Wild Target" proves that even a tired story can be fresh as long as it has a sense of style and it is clear from the opening scene that this film does. Bill Nighy is at the top of his game as a hit man who no one is even sure exists he is so good. He walks in and walks out… More
  "Wild Target" proves that even a tired story can be fresh as long as it has a sense of style and it is clear from the opening scene that this film does. Bill Nighy is at the top of his game as a hit man who no one is even sure exists he is so good. He walks in and walks out of buildings as if nothing ever happened. He gets the job done, that is why it is strange when his flow is interrupted. Of course, this comes in the form of a young, beautiful woman who just happens to be his target and who happens to be on the run from him and his employer. As his "wild target" Emily Blunt manages just the right balance of quirkiness and likeability. She is a thief and she is clumsy, but she is fun, almost impossible not to like, while we know that if we were actually around her we would probably be quite irritated with her. Added into the mix is Rupert Grint, who rounds out the trio to make a perfect mix of insanity and absurdity. Each of our three leads seem to be having a grand time galavanting around England trying to stay on the run so as not to get caught while emotions and past experiences create tension and new feelings. It is actually a kind of beautiful mess of a movie. It is a brisk hour and a half of action and wit. The story unfolding with what we expect but the characters making it fun along the way. Rupert Everett pops up in a few scenes and lets his nasty charm show through and the film also offers a glimpse (at least for Americans) at some of Martin Freeman's work. He is best known for playing the Jjim" role on the british version of "The Office" (which is kind of funny seeing as Emily Blunt is married to American Jim) but you may also remember him from "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" and will next see him as a young Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit". Here he plays Nighy's rival hit man with a fetish for flashing his venired smileevery chance he gets. It is a small role, but it is a great comic touch and those are what make this movie so enjoyable. The real treats here are the leads though, Blunt as mentioned before commands the film. She makes her male counterparts bow to her free-spirited Rose, causing them to change their normal routine and forcing them to adpat to ways of life they may not have known were she never to fall into their lives. It is especially refreshing to see Grint playing someone other than Ron Weasley, it is easy to see him having the most successful career outside of the "Harry Potter" realm. He is a natural comic talent and being able to play opposite Nighy's straight laced Victor Maynard is just the right kind of role he should be looking for now. It still has traitys reminiscent of Ron Weasley, but is certainly in a more mature natured film. The subject and world around him allowing his character to feel more real. And as for my only complaint about the film besides the story line being somewhat generic is the kind of convulted affections that bring Nighy and Blunt together as a romantic couple. It is hard to buy into at first, not only because of their age, but because they start out really disliking one another. The resolution of the film depends on them getting together though, and no matter how much it may seem awkward we know it is going to happen at some point, it is hinted at the entire film. From the early moment when Maynard's mother asks him if he's gay or not. We know, although we still have hesitations as they grow closer. Something just isn't natural about it. There is no proof besides a tad bit of dialogue as to what made Rose fall for Maynard. We deal though and go on. There is plenty of British humor and enjoyable performances here to look past the one hiccup of the character development. The film is certainly a wild one and for the most part hits its target.

• Andreia C

  
  I liked it, although it was weird seeing Emily and Bill romanticaly involved, but oh well Emily was stunning and fantastic as usual =D

• Remi L

  
  Adorable comedy following the hijinks of a legendary hit man on the run with his mark and potential apprentice. I only gave this movie a chance because of my love of The Grint and I was nicely rewarded. Once again he's playing a lovably goofy character, but the added bonus was a… More
  Adorable comedy following the hijinks of a legendary hit man on the run with his mark and potential apprentice. I only gave this movie a chance because of my love of The Grint and I was nicely rewarded. Once again he's playing a lovably goofy character, but the added bonus was a comically criminal Emily Blunt and Bill Nighy. I love when actors I'm used to seeing as villains (Bill Nighy in Underworld) playing sweet, hard-not-to-like characters. There were a few times where I felt the laughs could have been stronger, but all-in-all it was a nice way to spend an hour thirty-eight.

• Bill C

  
  Casting Bill Nighy as a conservative Hit man and Emily Blunt as a wild girl doesn't work, but from there on the entire cast tries to push a rope uphill and surprisingly it does work. The middle parts pretty good but romance at the end just lacks chemistry.

• m h

  
  It was very cute. And it was funny. However, it does veer on the edge of being corny. Which perhaps that was their intention. I thought Emily Blunt was adorable as always. And I swear I could become an assassin just to get her wardrobe. I also thought Rupert did a good job. It's… More
  It was very cute. And it was funny. However, it does veer on the edge of being corny. Which perhaps that was their intention. I thought Emily Blunt was adorable as always. And I swear I could become an assassin just to get her wardrobe. I also thought Rupert did a good job. It's nice to see him in a more grown up role, rather than Harry Potter. Bill Nighy was also good as the uptight hitman. I thought the overall plot was good. So yeah, it was an enjoyable flick. But nothing I plan on buying anytime soon.

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