I thoroughly enjoyed this film and thought it was very entertaining. True, there were only a few laugh-out-loud moments, but it kept me chuckling away for most of the 90-odd minutes. I thought Bill Nighy's performance was spot-on and Eileen Atkins' role gave her plenty of scope for comedy moments. Rupert Everett and Gregor Fisher worked well together, and Martin Freeman was very good as Dixon. Although the plot was simple, the film was reminiscent of a lot of British comedies from the Sixties and Seventies, which was probably why I enjoyed it so much. It was also good to see something that wasn't shot in America and didn't follow the stereotypical plot lines that most American films seem to have as a matter of course.
117 Reviews
Quirky, smart and typically Nighy
GrowMagicBeans22 June 2010
I ended up seeing this title in one of those frustrating moments where my main choice of feature was either on at the wrong time, had not even been released yet or my friends just flatly did not want to see the same things as I, and so we ended up going to Wild Target as an inoffensive compromise. I was expecting it to be real cheesy and void of humour, especially after having seen the trailer. I was pleasantly surprised!
Okay, when one goes to the cinema with such low expectations, they can only but move in one direction, but nevertheless I have to commend the movie on several points. I thought all the one-liners would have been used up in the trailer (and those that I had seen had seemed tacky at best) but I guess the movie isn't about one-liners. Rather then relying on half cocked jokes, it pulls itself onto its own two feet using situational comedy, which gives it a real British flavour. I heard it compared to the humour of the old Earling Studio movies, which seems like a nice comparison. Actually, on doing a little research, I found that the original story came from a French movie (Cible émouvante, 1993). It's easy to tell from the zany characters, offbeat humour and introspective look on life that it was originally French in theme, but as a story it translates nicely onto a typically British backdrop.
Basically Victor Maynard, a cold hearted hit-man played by Bill Nighy (great performance as always - he's legend!) is a middle aged unmarried killing professional who is beginning to loose his touch. This becomes no more obvious when he fails to make a hit on the sensually beautiful Rose (Emily Blunt). Things start to get complicated for Victor when he finds, not only has he lost the killer instinct, but he also starts protecting her from the men sent to finish the job.
I'm not sure about the Rupert Grint character of Tony. He seems the most out of place in my opinion. I suppose Tony was added to feed in a further dynamic between Victor and Rose and their growing relationship, but for me, this relationship triangle was either not developed fully or just failed outright. Maybe it held more credence in the original French story, but in the English version at least, Tony really does feel like the spare tire as his presence seems unnecessary and the character's attributes hammy. By far the weakest link the movie.
Quirky and light hearted; it may only be a lighter shade of grey rather then a full blown black comedy (12A Cert in Ireland), but still a pleasant surprise if you come to stumble upon it.
Okay, when one goes to the cinema with such low expectations, they can only but move in one direction, but nevertheless I have to commend the movie on several points. I thought all the one-liners would have been used up in the trailer (and those that I had seen had seemed tacky at best) but I guess the movie isn't about one-liners. Rather then relying on half cocked jokes, it pulls itself onto its own two feet using situational comedy, which gives it a real British flavour. I heard it compared to the humour of the old Earling Studio movies, which seems like a nice comparison. Actually, on doing a little research, I found that the original story came from a French movie (Cible émouvante, 1993). It's easy to tell from the zany characters, offbeat humour and introspective look on life that it was originally French in theme, but as a story it translates nicely onto a typically British backdrop.
Basically Victor Maynard, a cold hearted hit-man played by Bill Nighy (great performance as always - he's legend!) is a middle aged unmarried killing professional who is beginning to loose his touch. This becomes no more obvious when he fails to make a hit on the sensually beautiful Rose (Emily Blunt). Things start to get complicated for Victor when he finds, not only has he lost the killer instinct, but he also starts protecting her from the men sent to finish the job.
I'm not sure about the Rupert Grint character of Tony. He seems the most out of place in my opinion. I suppose Tony was added to feed in a further dynamic between Victor and Rose and their growing relationship, but for me, this relationship triangle was either not developed fully or just failed outright. Maybe it held more credence in the original French story, but in the English version at least, Tony really does feel like the spare tire as his presence seems unnecessary and the character's attributes hammy. By far the weakest link the movie.
Quirky and light hearted; it may only be a lighter shade of grey rather then a full blown black comedy (12A Cert in Ireland), but still a pleasant surprise if you come to stumble upon it.
My 336th Review: Excellent remake - and the funniest movie in its genre since Shooting Fish
intelearts27 August 2010
For those who haven't seen Ciblé Émovante from 1993 do. But Wild Target is seriously a tremendous remake.
Very very funny and just plain good fun - this harks back to the golden age of British comedies, sidesteps (in the main) Guy Ritchie and goes for that same vibe that Shooting Fish had.
The plot of the buttoned-down assassin and the kooky girl and the guy who gets involved by mistake is a vehicle to hang some great lines and situations on; let's just say it involves art forgery, hired guns, kleptomania, and Snowy the Cat. Brilliant stuff. Bill Nighy does his usual comic timing to perfection and he and Emily Blunt, along with the two Ruperts, Grint and Everett, bring a real sense of fun to this. Well supported and very well directed there's not much to complain about here - it's just a great comedy and taken as that you could do much worse.
Honestly, we haven't laughed or just flat out enjoyed a film this much in a long time - it's got a wonderful vibe to it that just makes watching it fun - and after all it's nice to get back to some good old fashioned killing without all the pizazz....
Highly recommended if you like British comedies, do try to get to see the french original, it's a corker, but this, this one is going in my collection....
Very very funny and just plain good fun - this harks back to the golden age of British comedies, sidesteps (in the main) Guy Ritchie and goes for that same vibe that Shooting Fish had.
The plot of the buttoned-down assassin and the kooky girl and the guy who gets involved by mistake is a vehicle to hang some great lines and situations on; let's just say it involves art forgery, hired guns, kleptomania, and Snowy the Cat. Brilliant stuff. Bill Nighy does his usual comic timing to perfection and he and Emily Blunt, along with the two Ruperts, Grint and Everett, bring a real sense of fun to this. Well supported and very well directed there's not much to complain about here - it's just a great comedy and taken as that you could do much worse.
Honestly, we haven't laughed or just flat out enjoyed a film this much in a long time - it's got a wonderful vibe to it that just makes watching it fun - and after all it's nice to get back to some good old fashioned killing without all the pizazz....
Highly recommended if you like British comedies, do try to get to see the french original, it's a corker, but this, this one is going in my collection....
Smart, Funny Movie!!
PhantomAgony21 November 2010
It is incredibly refreshing in this day and age to come across a comedy that doesn't rely on bathroom/sex humor, dropping curse words or stupid humor for laughs but actually presents an intelligent, smart, witty film with a great premise and even better character dynamic.
Wild Target is a clean cut, hysterical movie that is about an accomplished hit-man (Bill Nighy) who has been hired to take out a beautiful con-woman after she's outed for an art scam (Emily Blunt) but ends up becoming her protector instead. Rupert Grint plays the lovable role of Tony who ends up getting caught in the hijinks when he's in the wrong place at the right time - the dynamic between the 3 lead characters (played by Blunt, Nighy & Grint) is nothing short of entertainment. They become a sort of pseudo family unit that provides adorable moments and of course, laughs.
Eileen Atkins plays the hit-man's (Nighy)supportive mother who is proud of all the people her son has killed. Afterall, he was just following in his Father's (her husband's) footsteps and expects her son to produce a child that will take over the family business.
Martin Freeman plays the new hit-man hired to take out Blunt's character once Nighy, the original hit-man, becomes her protector and botches the job.
This movie is a great film that offers up genuine comedy throughout its entirety. My only gripe is that it was just an hour and a half long because I could have easily watched the 3 leads interact for another hour.
9/10 & I recommend this film to anyone who wants a good laugh and a smart movie.
Wild Target is a clean cut, hysterical movie that is about an accomplished hit-man (Bill Nighy) who has been hired to take out a beautiful con-woman after she's outed for an art scam (Emily Blunt) but ends up becoming her protector instead. Rupert Grint plays the lovable role of Tony who ends up getting caught in the hijinks when he's in the wrong place at the right time - the dynamic between the 3 lead characters (played by Blunt, Nighy & Grint) is nothing short of entertainment. They become a sort of pseudo family unit that provides adorable moments and of course, laughs.
Eileen Atkins plays the hit-man's (Nighy)supportive mother who is proud of all the people her son has killed. Afterall, he was just following in his Father's (her husband's) footsteps and expects her son to produce a child that will take over the family business.
Martin Freeman plays the new hit-man hired to take out Blunt's character once Nighy, the original hit-man, becomes her protector and botches the job.
This movie is a great film that offers up genuine comedy throughout its entirety. My only gripe is that it was just an hour and a half long because I could have easily watched the 3 leads interact for another hour.
9/10 & I recommend this film to anyone who wants a good laugh and a smart movie.
Hit-man with a heart.
paul_haakonsen17 December 2010
This movie was pretty cool.
It had all the stuff that a movie needs to be interesting; action, humor, love and thrills. And it all came together in a very good way to make for a superb movie experience.
The story was good and very easy to follow, straight forward, though there were no twists and odd turns of events, which could have made the movie a bit more interesting. But the movie was far from being boring, despite it having a rather one-simple-way plot line. The story was very likable and compelling.
As for the characters, well Bill Nighy was amazing as the lead role, portraying the somewhat eccentric hit-man Victor Maynard. There is something very charismatic about that man, and he was so well cast for this particular role. Moving on to Emily Blunt, in the role of Rose, well she did a good job as well, really bringing her on-the-edge character to life. However, Rupert Grint in the role of Tony, that was the bomb! He was such a blast in this movie, and it was fantastic to see him in a mature role, stepping out of the wizardly shoes of the "Harry Potter" stuff. And it was really good to see the way the characters were given the time and effort to evolve throughout the movie, growing and making you relate to them. Few movies really get around this in a good way, but "Wild Target" managed to do that quite well.
For some reason this movie was more than just your average run of the mill action comedy. The way the characters were portrayed and how they came to life on the screen makes you really feel like you are right there in there with them. And that is really the strongest link of the movie.
There were some funny scenes and moments throughout the movie as well, though not the kind that will make you fall out of your seat with tears trickling down your cheeks. But the comedy in the movie is just subtle enough to be appropriate, without making the movie come off as trying too hard.
"Wild Target" is a movie that you should watch, especially if you enjoy British movies. Thumbs way up for this movie.
It had all the stuff that a movie needs to be interesting; action, humor, love and thrills. And it all came together in a very good way to make for a superb movie experience.
The story was good and very easy to follow, straight forward, though there were no twists and odd turns of events, which could have made the movie a bit more interesting. But the movie was far from being boring, despite it having a rather one-simple-way plot line. The story was very likable and compelling.
As for the characters, well Bill Nighy was amazing as the lead role, portraying the somewhat eccentric hit-man Victor Maynard. There is something very charismatic about that man, and he was so well cast for this particular role. Moving on to Emily Blunt, in the role of Rose, well she did a good job as well, really bringing her on-the-edge character to life. However, Rupert Grint in the role of Tony, that was the bomb! He was such a blast in this movie, and it was fantastic to see him in a mature role, stepping out of the wizardly shoes of the "Harry Potter" stuff. And it was really good to see the way the characters were given the time and effort to evolve throughout the movie, growing and making you relate to them. Few movies really get around this in a good way, but "Wild Target" managed to do that quite well.
For some reason this movie was more than just your average run of the mill action comedy. The way the characters were portrayed and how they came to life on the screen makes you really feel like you are right there in there with them. And that is really the strongest link of the movie.
There were some funny scenes and moments throughout the movie as well, though not the kind that will make you fall out of your seat with tears trickling down your cheeks. But the comedy in the movie is just subtle enough to be appropriate, without making the movie come off as trying too hard.
"Wild Target" is a movie that you should watch, especially if you enjoy British movies. Thumbs way up for this movie.
Not 'wild',but certainly a lot of fun
studioAT7 July 2015
Wild Target isn't a great movie, I think the other reviews on this site and elsewhere prove that. BUT, I actually really enjoyed it.
Having directed 'The Whole Nine Yards' Jonathon Lynn knows about how to make a good black comedy work,and he is helped by the fact he has the brilliant Bill Nighy in the lead role. Nighy has played this type of role before (and since) and manages to make his really warm to this contract killer in a way that other actors wouldn't be. He carries the film at times with his dry humour.
It is also nice to see Rupert Grint do comedy and he has some nice moments of interaction with Nighy in amongst all of the madness that you'd expect from a farcical comedy.
The real revelation for me was Emily Blunt. She manages to be funny, sexy and vulnerable in the role of Rose and even though I can't say the script is always water tight, she manages to find the heart in every scene.
Although the film doesn't seem to know whether it's a family comedy or darker it is a fun one to watch. Ignore the negative reviews and give it a chance.
Having directed 'The Whole Nine Yards' Jonathon Lynn knows about how to make a good black comedy work,and he is helped by the fact he has the brilliant Bill Nighy in the lead role. Nighy has played this type of role before (and since) and manages to make his really warm to this contract killer in a way that other actors wouldn't be. He carries the film at times with his dry humour.
It is also nice to see Rupert Grint do comedy and he has some nice moments of interaction with Nighy in amongst all of the madness that you'd expect from a farcical comedy.
The real revelation for me was Emily Blunt. She manages to be funny, sexy and vulnerable in the role of Rose and even though I can't say the script is always water tight, she manages to find the heart in every scene.
Although the film doesn't seem to know whether it's a family comedy or darker it is a fun one to watch. Ignore the negative reviews and give it a chance.
Perfect aim
synevy24 December 2011
Most British crime/ comedy films are full of quick takes, occasional twists and turns, precision and attention to detail, in my opinion. I'd put Wild Target amongst the movies that represent that kind of style.
Bill Nighy brings up some classy-ness to his character. A well trained assassin who thinks it's time to retire but that doesn't happen as easy as he'd wish. What's been happening for quite a time now is that very very good and young actors are coming up the big screen surface. Emily Blunt is one of them and does a pretty good job as the attractive thief. Rupert Grint's supporting role is fresh, funny, more mature and just a little bit different that the one we've gotten used to in Harry Potter.
Of course i can't leave out the music. Beautiful tunes of all kinds in addition to the sunny scenery of Isle of Man. Not a great movie hit, as far as the plot concerns, but it was a fun film to watch.
Bill Nighy brings up some classy-ness to his character. A well trained assassin who thinks it's time to retire but that doesn't happen as easy as he'd wish. What's been happening for quite a time now is that very very good and young actors are coming up the big screen surface. Emily Blunt is one of them and does a pretty good job as the attractive thief. Rupert Grint's supporting role is fresh, funny, more mature and just a little bit different that the one we've gotten used to in Harry Potter.
Of course i can't leave out the music. Beautiful tunes of all kinds in addition to the sunny scenery of Isle of Man. Not a great movie hit, as far as the plot concerns, but it was a fun film to watch.
'Wild' Target
robinski3415 September 2013
Nice little British movie about art forgery, swindling and assassination, all good fun, with a strong cast. Bill Nighy is likable as ever, although convincingly cold-blooded at the requisite moments; Emily Blunt is suitably infuriating and adorable in equal measure; and Rupert Grint cements his Brit Pack credentials, although I'd like to see him in a more serious and 'gritty' role. There isn't much for Martin Freeman (nice teeth); Rupert Everett (nice stubble) or Gregor Fisher to do, but it's good to see them nonetheless. It all feels a bit rushed to me, and the end comes on very suddenly and is all a bit too convenient, leaving a sense that it could have been more substantial and interesting given a bit more effort on the storyline, enjoyable enough though if you have a forgiving nature, definitely worth a look.
An interesting and entertaining comedy.
danielkratky20 June 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and found the story to be original and funny throughout. 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.
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.
Norman Wisdom rides again
davidgee25 June 2010
This could have been a much funnier movie. The script doesn't have enough 'edge', the direction lacks punch; Bill Nighy's ageing assassin is a bit too glum, Rupert Grint's homeless 'disciple' is too much like his Harry Potter character, and Emily Blunt's light-fingered fraudster is too much like one of those annoying kids with whom the Soaps are currently over-populated. Eileen Atkins's machine-gun-toting wheelchair-bound matriarch is gloriously reminiscent of Shelley Winters in Bloody Mama 40 years ago. The slow-burning romance between Bill and Emily is not only unconvincing but more than a little creepy.
Wild Target is like a creaky old Norman Wisdom vehicle tarted up with a bit of violence and profanity for a modern audience. However, I did laugh out loud a half-dozen times, which is six more than a lot of TV sitcoms earn.
Wild Target is like a creaky old Norman Wisdom vehicle tarted up with a bit of violence and profanity for a modern audience. However, I did laugh out loud a half-dozen times, which is six more than a lot of TV sitcoms earn.
Pointless and Forced
complications12324 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Not that the premise sounded original, I decided to give this film a shot one morning. A hit man falls for his target and in the process has a strange sort of awakening while forming the family he never had time for in his younger days. The actors all do a fine job but the script is so aimless and ill thought that this quickly becomes unwatchable. At first I was expecting a dark comedy with a modicum of violence but after the first act it's something else entirely, some sort of sickening love story with a message about family that no one can relate to.
There's about three things going on here besides the main story; Victor's crisis of self, his relationship with Rose, and his mentorship of Tony. This would be difficult for all but the most of astute of film makers to competently put together and outright fails in Wild Target, even if it is meant to be a comedy. From the get go there's so much focus placed on Victor's lack of a mate as well as his lack of a successor that once the three main characters show up on screen together it's painfully obvious where the story is headed. The issue is that the "how" involved in this process is dull and uninspired. The "why" is so thin that I'm left scratching my head over what exactly these three are doing in this strange configuration. To be brief, this arrangement is never developed. There's not a lick of characterization to suggest why the three of them have the need to form this familial unit so quickly. Sure, the circumstances give reason to the formation of the unit but there's never any believable or fleshed out reasoning for the persistence and continuation of this "family" and the roles that each adopt.
The relationship between Rose and Victor is perhaps one of the worst on screen couples I've ever seen. She goes from hate to love literally over a foot massage and the chemistry just isn't there. Again, there's so little character development beyond "Victor needs a wife" that the relationship isn't convincing. Not once did I root for them to get together nor did I feel any joy when they did. There was no heart or passion or any connection with the audience. Nonetheless, it was quite obvious the two would end up discussing his weight from the very first few minutes of the film.
Perhaps more outrageous than this mess of a love story is the forced inclusion of Tony, the homeless nobody who wants to find his place in the world and get a little bit of love. Where the necessity for this story element arose from is bewildering. He serves no place except for another good guy with a gun and his dynamic as an adopted apprentice is fuzzy at best. Moreover his extension into the familial unit as the child is stretching reality entirely too far. It is so difficult to understand his role in any realistic context that I'm left feeling disconnected and consequently see his position as confusing, bizarre, and trivial.
Wild Target is about as close to nonsense as any film I've seen. It gets a 2 only because the technical aspects of film making were tolerable. I'm not sure where all the positivity for this film is coming from; those describing it as "hilarious" must not have been as distracted as I was by the lack of cohesion and motivation.
There's about three things going on here besides the main story; Victor's crisis of self, his relationship with Rose, and his mentorship of Tony. This would be difficult for all but the most of astute of film makers to competently put together and outright fails in Wild Target, even if it is meant to be a comedy. From the get go there's so much focus placed on Victor's lack of a mate as well as his lack of a successor that once the three main characters show up on screen together it's painfully obvious where the story is headed. The issue is that the "how" involved in this process is dull and uninspired. The "why" is so thin that I'm left scratching my head over what exactly these three are doing in this strange configuration. To be brief, this arrangement is never developed. There's not a lick of characterization to suggest why the three of them have the need to form this familial unit so quickly. Sure, the circumstances give reason to the formation of the unit but there's never any believable or fleshed out reasoning for the persistence and continuation of this "family" and the roles that each adopt.
The relationship between Rose and Victor is perhaps one of the worst on screen couples I've ever seen. She goes from hate to love literally over a foot massage and the chemistry just isn't there. Again, there's so little character development beyond "Victor needs a wife" that the relationship isn't convincing. Not once did I root for them to get together nor did I feel any joy when they did. There was no heart or passion or any connection with the audience. Nonetheless, it was quite obvious the two would end up discussing his weight from the very first few minutes of the film.
Perhaps more outrageous than this mess of a love story is the forced inclusion of Tony, the homeless nobody who wants to find his place in the world and get a little bit of love. Where the necessity for this story element arose from is bewildering. He serves no place except for another good guy with a gun and his dynamic as an adopted apprentice is fuzzy at best. Moreover his extension into the familial unit as the child is stretching reality entirely too far. It is so difficult to understand his role in any realistic context that I'm left feeling disconnected and consequently see his position as confusing, bizarre, and trivial.
Wild Target is about as close to nonsense as any film I've seen. It gets a 2 only because the technical aspects of film making were tolerable. I'm not sure where all the positivity for this film is coming from; those describing it as "hilarious" must not have been as distracted as I was by the lack of cohesion and motivation.
Brilliantly Funny
soffe1234520 June 2010
Well, in contrast to the first review, i felt that this was a hilariously funny attribute to the British film industry. With continuous amusing modern slap stick humour throughout.
I had been looking forward to the release of this film for a while, and it was far better than i had ever expected. The cinema was packed and everyone was laughing throughout the entire film, which in my experience is very rare.
There is an incredible cast containing many well known British actors/ actresses, overall a must see film.
Looking forward to the DVD release. Thank you. x
I had been looking forward to the release of this film for a while, and it was far better than i had ever expected. The cinema was packed and everyone was laughing throughout the entire film, which in my experience is very rare.
There is an incredible cast containing many well known British actors/ actresses, overall a must see film.
Looking forward to the DVD release. Thank you. x
Made for Each Other
claudio_carvalho18 July 2016
In London, the fifty-four year-old professional killer Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) is a lonely and methodic hit-man that comes from a lineage of killers and lives in the country. He is considered the best and most expensive killer in London. When the thief Rose (Emily Blunt) lures the powerful gangster Ferguson (Rupert Everett) and sells a fake Rembrandt to him for 900,000 pounds, he contracts Maynard to kill her. He follows Rose and fails in his attempt; but soon he feels attracted for her and spares her life. Meanwhile Fergunson sends his two bodyguards to kill Rose in a parking garage but Maynard saves her helped by the car washer Tony (Rupert Grint). Maynard feels potential in Tony and invites him to be his apprentice and Rose and Tony believe he is a private detective. They flee from the bodyguard that has survived and Maynard decides to protect Rose and Tony. Soon Victor is pressed by his mother Louisa Maynard (Eileen Atkins) that is worried about her family reputation while Fergunson hires two sadistic killers to hunt rose and Victor down. But Victor and Rose seems to be made for each other.
"Wild Target" is an entertaining and funny action movie with hilarious scenes of black humor. The sequence with the parrot is the beginning gives an introduction of what the viewer may expect from "Wild Target". In this genre, British cinema is unique and the plot makes laugh a lot. The gorgeous and sexy Emily Blunt is excellent in the role of a thief and Bill Nighy is very funny in the role of a middle- aged hit-man near retirement. Eileen Atkins steals the show in the scenes she participates. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Matador em Perigo" ("Killer in Danger")
"Wild Target" is an entertaining and funny action movie with hilarious scenes of black humor. The sequence with the parrot is the beginning gives an introduction of what the viewer may expect from "Wild Target". In this genre, British cinema is unique and the plot makes laugh a lot. The gorgeous and sexy Emily Blunt is excellent in the role of a thief and Bill Nighy is very funny in the role of a middle- aged hit-man near retirement. Eileen Atkins steals the show in the scenes she participates. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Matador em Perigo" ("Killer in Danger")
Very slow
rudicantfail19 July 2021
This is a movie that is hard to review in a positive way. It is slow and rather dull, with a scattering of "chuckles". It took me three attempts to watch the film right through to the end, and the end seemed very sudden. I hate to not rate a UK movie in a good way, but this particular film just did not rise to the occasion. Shame, I always like to watch movies with Bill Nighy in them, and Martin Freeman for that matter; two really good British actors.
Fails to deliver
Gordon-1117 July 2010
This film is about a professional killer having an unusual situation as he saves the woman he is supposed to kill. "Wild Target" tries to be funny and exciting, but it fails to deliver either. It starts off promising as the assassin encounters the hilariously unexpected situation concerning his target, but things go downhill from there. The only funny moments are delivered by the mother. As for the excitement, the storytelling provides little tension or suspense. This means there is not much to engage the viewers. If not for Emily Blunt's good performance of being in love, "Wild Target" would have been even more disappointing.
I was laughing hard the entire time and it's a fell good movie till the end. Watch it, it's truly worth it.
saadgkhan27 August 2010
WILD TARGET – CATCH IT ( B+ ) Wild Target is quirky little fun; I had great time watching it. It was really funny and hilarious. I always love smart movies where the characters are not trying to be funny but the situation and dialogues make it funny. Bill Nighy as a Hit Man is amazing, it was so good to see him under play the character and bring the smartness and sharpness to it. Emily Blunt is so radiant, the moment she comes on the screen the whole screen just light up. I truly love her and this time she was really hilarious. She looks gorgeous as always and her chemistry with Bill Nighy and Rupert Grint is startling. Rupert Grint is breaking off the Harry Porter fantasy genre and it's the right type of role for him. He was funny and completes the wacky trio. Rupert Everett and his team were good. Overall I was laughing hard the entire time and it's a fell good movie till the end. Watch it, it's truly worth it.
A Pretty Good Comedy
Uriah4326 November 2012
This enjoyable comedy begins with a first-class hitman named "Victor Maynard" (Bill Nighy) being given a contract to kill a thief by the name of "Rose" (Emily Blunt). However, after a number of unsuccessful attempts, he eventually begins to admire his target and it's then that he realizes that he cannot bring himself to actually carry it out. To that effect, upon learning that another hitman has been hired, he subsequently finds himself in the role of her paid bodyguard instead. Likewise, having worked alone all of his life, he is equally caught off guard by the fact that he now has an apprentice named "Tony" (Rupert Grint) with whom he tries to teach the tricks of the trade as well. Be that as it may, Bill Nighy puts on an outstanding performance as the fastidious assassin who has never needed or wanted companionship and has his hands full trying to keep up with the spontaneous kleptomaniac he is trying to protect. Rupert Grint is also quite good as the young student who has never had anybody either and thinks his benefactor is a private detective. In short, this is a pretty good comedy with a definite British flavor.
Loved it, but not entirely sure why.
MBunge30 May 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I don't know if it was Bill Nighy's self-possession, Emily Blunt's kittenish radiance, the way it brightened up the dark humor or what, but I loved Wild Target. From its opening murder to its closing comedic invocation of serial killer pathology, I was thoroughly amused and entertained. Part of it has to be that there are plenty of jokes and that they flow out of the established personalities of the characters, two things which surprisingly few comedies achieve. Part of it has to be the marvelously light touch that director Jonathan Lynn brings to the proceedings. Maybe part of it was I happened to be in the right mood for this film's charms. Whatever the reason, this was one of the more fun times I've had recently watching a movie.
Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) is a very British hit-man who, as his infirm mother (Eileen Atkins) reminds him, is getting a bit on in years to still be single and childless. After all, Victor should have someone to hand the family business to as Victor's assassin father did to him. When a beautifully reckless thief named Rose (Emily Blunt) scams 800,000 pounds out of the menacingly cultured Ferguson (Rupert Everett) for a forged painting, Victor is called in to take her out. Happenstance prevents Victor from killing her until he's fallen completely under the spell of her audacious, oblivious approach to life. When Ferguson tries to have Rose killed by someone else, Victor saves her and the two of them get tangled up with an aimless lad named Tony (Rupert Grint), who demonstrates a surprising talent for violence and catches Victor's eye as the apprentice he's never had. The three of them try to lie low but find they're almost as big a problem for each other as the hired killers Ferguson sets on their trail.
If you pinned me down, I'd have to credit Wild Target with a near perfect beginning which not only established the tone of its story but also accomplished that oft neglected feat of giving the audience a reason to care about its main character. With twin scenes of Victor practicing his French on the way to a defenestration and then sparing the life of the parrot eye witness to another killing, the viewer is clued in to the absurdity of the plot and encouraged to suspend disbelief about the morality of a professional murderer. Seeing Victor kill two people without remorse and then balk at dispatching a defenseless animal is the hook the audience needs to grab onto Victor and establish a connection with him. So many filmmakers automatically assume that connection with the main character exists and their films founder because of it.
Nighy is delightful in his portrayal of a proper English gentleman who happens to kill people for a living. It's a role that invites caricature but Nighy gives Victor a grounding in reality, or as close as is appropriate for the tone of this motion picture. Blunt is damn near irresistible playing a woman with all the chaotic appeal of adolescent narcissism but without completely ignoring the aggravating aspects of such a personality. They're absolutely great together, particularly with the interplay of Rose's unfettered sexuality with Victor's more rarefied appreciation of her.
And then the relationship between Victor and Tony compliments things so well. It exists independent of Rose and has its own funny dimension of deception and confusion. Victor's inability to distinguish between a fatherly affection for Tony and possibly latent homosexuality, and Tony's unashamed reaction to his consternation, is wonderfully insightful of modern masculinity.
I'll admit that Rose gets a bit too stupid at the end and the movie leans a little too hard on the "family vibe" thinly built around Rose, Victor and Tony in a scene that's way too plainly melodramatic for the rest of the film. Those minor deficiencies come too late in the game to spoil anything, however.
Wild Target was fun to watch. I'm not entirely sure why, but maybe that's part of the fun.
Victor Maynard (Bill Nighy) is a very British hit-man who, as his infirm mother (Eileen Atkins) reminds him, is getting a bit on in years to still be single and childless. After all, Victor should have someone to hand the family business to as Victor's assassin father did to him. When a beautifully reckless thief named Rose (Emily Blunt) scams 800,000 pounds out of the menacingly cultured Ferguson (Rupert Everett) for a forged painting, Victor is called in to take her out. Happenstance prevents Victor from killing her until he's fallen completely under the spell of her audacious, oblivious approach to life. When Ferguson tries to have Rose killed by someone else, Victor saves her and the two of them get tangled up with an aimless lad named Tony (Rupert Grint), who demonstrates a surprising talent for violence and catches Victor's eye as the apprentice he's never had. The three of them try to lie low but find they're almost as big a problem for each other as the hired killers Ferguson sets on their trail.
If you pinned me down, I'd have to credit Wild Target with a near perfect beginning which not only established the tone of its story but also accomplished that oft neglected feat of giving the audience a reason to care about its main character. With twin scenes of Victor practicing his French on the way to a defenestration and then sparing the life of the parrot eye witness to another killing, the viewer is clued in to the absurdity of the plot and encouraged to suspend disbelief about the morality of a professional murderer. Seeing Victor kill two people without remorse and then balk at dispatching a defenseless animal is the hook the audience needs to grab onto Victor and establish a connection with him. So many filmmakers automatically assume that connection with the main character exists and their films founder because of it.
Nighy is delightful in his portrayal of a proper English gentleman who happens to kill people for a living. It's a role that invites caricature but Nighy gives Victor a grounding in reality, or as close as is appropriate for the tone of this motion picture. Blunt is damn near irresistible playing a woman with all the chaotic appeal of adolescent narcissism but without completely ignoring the aggravating aspects of such a personality. They're absolutely great together, particularly with the interplay of Rose's unfettered sexuality with Victor's more rarefied appreciation of her.
And then the relationship between Victor and Tony compliments things so well. It exists independent of Rose and has its own funny dimension of deception and confusion. Victor's inability to distinguish between a fatherly affection for Tony and possibly latent homosexuality, and Tony's unashamed reaction to his consternation, is wonderfully insightful of modern masculinity.
I'll admit that Rose gets a bit too stupid at the end and the movie leans a little too hard on the "family vibe" thinly built around Rose, Victor and Tony in a scene that's way too plainly melodramatic for the rest of the film. Those minor deficiencies come too late in the game to spoil anything, however.
Wild Target was fun to watch. I'm not entirely sure why, but maybe that's part of the fun.
Entertaining, but desperately predictable
bad_badger13 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I haven't seen 'Cible Emouvante' so I don't know how close this is to the original, but the story just didn't seem to gel for me.
Bill Nighy plays his part well, although I feel he could probably have cruised through this with his eyes shut. Emily Blunt is also very good, but I found her character maddeningly infuriating and was rooting for Nighy to shoot her right from the outset. Perhaps this instant loathing made it difficult for me to swallow the burgeoning romance between them - as the likelihood of her being assassinated dwindled, so did my interest in the proceedings.
I think Rupert Everett and Gregor Fisher were criminally underused; they play the central antagonists in the first and second acts of the movie and then are conveniently forgotten about with the introduction of Nighy's rival assassin Martin Freeman (with hilarious fake teeth).
The ending is pretty ham-fisted, too. It goes through some very predictable paces to a very generic and convenient conclusion - so much so that you could leave with thirty minutes of running time left and be confident that 'things turn out all right in the end'.
Despite these grumbles the film is ultimately good fun; the humour is quite gentle and the moments of violence are always portrayed behind a safety net of pathos or comedy. If it's entertainment you're after, you could do a lot worse than watch 'Wild Target'.
Bill Nighy plays his part well, although I feel he could probably have cruised through this with his eyes shut. Emily Blunt is also very good, but I found her character maddeningly infuriating and was rooting for Nighy to shoot her right from the outset. Perhaps this instant loathing made it difficult for me to swallow the burgeoning romance between them - as the likelihood of her being assassinated dwindled, so did my interest in the proceedings.
I think Rupert Everett and Gregor Fisher were criminally underused; they play the central antagonists in the first and second acts of the movie and then are conveniently forgotten about with the introduction of Nighy's rival assassin Martin Freeman (with hilarious fake teeth).
The ending is pretty ham-fisted, too. It goes through some very predictable paces to a very generic and convenient conclusion - so much so that you could leave with thirty minutes of running time left and be confident that 'things turn out all right in the end'.
Despite these grumbles the film is ultimately good fun; the humour is quite gentle and the moments of violence are always portrayed behind a safety net of pathos or comedy. If it's entertainment you're after, you could do a lot worse than watch 'Wild Target'.
Top Quality!
stueey20 June 2010
If your taste is really obvious commercial and/or big budget comedies then this might not be for you but if you have a soft spot for classic British comedies that are a bit quirky, don't try to hard then this should definitely be up your street.
It has an excellent cast that all play their characters perfectly although very typically.
Rupert Everett is predictably his usual self as is Bill Nighy but both quite excellently so.
I've seen a couple of negative reviews of this movie but it needs to be emphasised that it's not a mass market comedy. The story is great and the timing of some of the jokes is absolutely perfect.
This is actually one of the few films I'd like to own a copy of when it's released.
It has an excellent cast that all play their characters perfectly although very typically.
Rupert Everett is predictably his usual self as is Bill Nighy but both quite excellently so.
I've seen a couple of negative reviews of this movie but it needs to be emphasised that it's not a mass market comedy. The story is great and the timing of some of the jokes is absolutely perfect.
This is actually one of the few films I'd like to own a copy of when it's released.
What is this!!!
drfcx31 January 2021
The title says the phrase I was uttering through out this film. Wild target is as confusing as Emily blunt digging up the back garden looking for flowers. It's a low brow comedy that at times skirts on the edge of slap stick. That said it did make me laugh. The small cast and feel good vibe means the plot is easy to follow, so you can fall asleep and wake up 15 minutes later and dial straight back into the story.
It's all very British, and that helps cover some of the short comings, it's watchable I guess for fans of the cast. But there are far better films that follow the same plotline.
Utterly terrible film.
cyberman20016 November 2010
Sporting the British cast that this film does I fail to see how it can be so bloody awful? Be certain that it is! The acting, script, direction... In fact everything other than how Emily looks in this supposed comedy is dire.
Cliché ridden; nauseating set pieces; I cared not for any character, in fact I wish Dixon had killed the bloody lot of them and then turned the gun upon him self.
Nighy has appeared in some turgid British films in his career, however I do like him as an actor. But this film does nothing but show him faxing in his performance. And as for Emily Blunt? The last film I saw her in was Queen Victoria, and what a fabulous performance and movie that is. Her turn in The Devil Wears Prada proves that she can deliver a more than adequate comedy performance, so what happened here?
Direction, probably?
A waste of my precious time thus life, avoid this crap like your life depends upon it.
Cliché ridden; nauseating set pieces; I cared not for any character, in fact I wish Dixon had killed the bloody lot of them and then turned the gun upon him self.
Nighy has appeared in some turgid British films in his career, however I do like him as an actor. But this film does nothing but show him faxing in his performance. And as for Emily Blunt? The last film I saw her in was Queen Victoria, and what a fabulous performance and movie that is. Her turn in The Devil Wears Prada proves that she can deliver a more than adequate comedy performance, so what happened here?
Direction, probably?
A waste of my precious time thus life, avoid this crap like your life depends upon it.
Hilarious, refreshing, intelligent and surprisingly touching. One of a kind.
blacklist-121 June 2010
Wild Target is the ultimate British black comedy, which makes a refreshing change from all the Hollywood movie's right now.This is hilarious throughout with laughs going to all the cast. Billy Nighy, Emily Blunt and Rupert Grint give terrific performances with superb support from Martin Freeman, Gregory Fisher and Eileen Atkins who make the most of their time on the screen.
There is a lovely chemistry of romance between Blunt and Nighy and you care about the characters and that's what makes this movie so intelligent, though they commit crimes like Nighy is an assassin and has killed people and Blunt is a thief, the audience can remained attached enough to laugh at their predicament but at the same time care about the characters and what happens to them as Nighy falls for Blunt and at the same time they and Grint become like a family, and that is difficult to pull off, but this film does it tremendously. It's also surprisingly touching in places as the transition from romance to drama to comedy is handled seamlessly blending lovely together. The story though basic is good enough and the script is structured beautifully with sharpness and wit embedded within. A terrific British comedy that is one of a kind. It deserves all the praise it has and will receive and judging by the 7.8 IMDb rating it has been given I'd say the praise is high. It's a rating well deserved
There is a lovely chemistry of romance between Blunt and Nighy and you care about the characters and that's what makes this movie so intelligent, though they commit crimes like Nighy is an assassin and has killed people and Blunt is a thief, the audience can remained attached enough to laugh at their predicament but at the same time care about the characters and what happens to them as Nighy falls for Blunt and at the same time they and Grint become like a family, and that is difficult to pull off, but this film does it tremendously. It's also surprisingly touching in places as the transition from romance to drama to comedy is handled seamlessly blending lovely together. The story though basic is good enough and the script is structured beautifully with sharpness and wit embedded within. A terrific British comedy that is one of a kind. It deserves all the praise it has and will receive and judging by the 7.8 IMDb rating it has been given I'd say the praise is high. It's a rating well deserved
Light hearted crime genre skit
Stampsfightclub6 December 2010
This knock about comedy crime caper is the kind of entertainment deserving of a night in with a partner and gaining a few chuckles, whether at Bill Nighy's moustache or Emily Blunt's outrageous and vivacious character.
The bizarre opening following Nighy's assassin around as he does his duties is fair enough. But the French speaking, his assignments juxtaposed with some upbeat pop music feels awkward.
Nevertheless things perk up when "The Devil wears Prada" actress appears on our screens. Swerving in-between cars and sneaking into an art gallery with the help of a firecracker notifies us laughing viewers we have a troublemaker on our hands.
What ensues is a somewhat bizarre money set up swindle with a funny blonde wig and we have a clash of super British actors come together for a comedy caper.
Nighy, assigned to tick off Blunt finds himself unable to and soon the two are thrown together to stop killers attacking them all. Rupert Grint's Tony is thrown into the mix and what follows is an often funny, frequently ridiculous comedy skit on the crime genre.
The way the villains, particularly Martin Freeman, are portrayed is beyond the "stupid" stereotype, the accidental blowing guns off, the sexual orientation of its central star and the too cosy for realism car chases blow the story out of proportion, but the good note is that this is always the intention and can therefore be very funny.
There are frequent times when everything is too daft. The crazy mother, the placement to question sexuality, the mere coincidence of the same hotel and the car park gun showdown are all ridiculous, made more so by the often out of sorts positive pop background.
Nighy is too frequently playing similar characters and doesn't offer anything different here. The moustache is funny for the first scene and that's about it. Emily Blunt praise her she is even funnier than when she won the Golden Globe. Rupert Grint is too camera confident to hate in any way. The supporting cast have their moments as well.
The typical British style setting glorifying their surroundings that mix well with the story's push, particularly Nighy's mansion.
Overall this is light bubbly stuff worth seeing for Blunt and Grint.
The bizarre opening following Nighy's assassin around as he does his duties is fair enough. But the French speaking, his assignments juxtaposed with some upbeat pop music feels awkward.
Nevertheless things perk up when "The Devil wears Prada" actress appears on our screens. Swerving in-between cars and sneaking into an art gallery with the help of a firecracker notifies us laughing viewers we have a troublemaker on our hands.
What ensues is a somewhat bizarre money set up swindle with a funny blonde wig and we have a clash of super British actors come together for a comedy caper.
Nighy, assigned to tick off Blunt finds himself unable to and soon the two are thrown together to stop killers attacking them all. Rupert Grint's Tony is thrown into the mix and what follows is an often funny, frequently ridiculous comedy skit on the crime genre.
The way the villains, particularly Martin Freeman, are portrayed is beyond the "stupid" stereotype, the accidental blowing guns off, the sexual orientation of its central star and the too cosy for realism car chases blow the story out of proportion, but the good note is that this is always the intention and can therefore be very funny.
There are frequent times when everything is too daft. The crazy mother, the placement to question sexuality, the mere coincidence of the same hotel and the car park gun showdown are all ridiculous, made more so by the often out of sorts positive pop background.
Nighy is too frequently playing similar characters and doesn't offer anything different here. The moustache is funny for the first scene and that's about it. Emily Blunt praise her she is even funnier than when she won the Golden Globe. Rupert Grint is too camera confident to hate in any way. The supporting cast have their moments as well.
The typical British style setting glorifying their surroundings that mix well with the story's push, particularly Nighy's mansion.
Overall this is light bubbly stuff worth seeing for Blunt and Grint.
Awful
halliwellleonard7 January 2021
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