With the AVN and XBIZ Awards coming next month, plus the return to adult by Stormy Daniels this was a natural. I went back to the AAN/NightMoves Vault for this review of Stormy’s film “Wanted” from 2015. It was not only an incredible undertaking that garnered critical acclaim both in and out of the adult circles, but was the winner of a number of major awards. It received it’s very first award from NightMoves with the “First Choice Award” at our 2015 awards show. Then other awards followed from XBIZ and AVN that included Best Drama, Best Music, Best Feature, Director of the Year among other awards this production would win. Here is my original review from 2015. If you have never seen this film, please do yourself a favor and get hold of it, you will not regret it.
“Wanted” – Wicked Pictures/Adam & Eve Pictures – Director – Stormy Daniels – Cast – Allie Haze, Anikka Albrite, jessica drake, Stormy Daniels, Amber Rayne, Chanel Preston, Jodi Taylor, Cassidy Klein, Mia Li, Steven St. Croix, Brad Armstrong, Tommy Gunn, Eric Masterson, Ryan McLane, Brendon Miller, Jay Crew, Dick Chibbles and others.
***** 5 Stars
Since word of this big budget blockbuster film came out months ago, like many, I could not wait for it to come to fruition and be released. Now it has and this production is, without doubt, one of the most incredible all around, best porn films to be done. The simple fact is, I don’t even want to label it as porn, but rather as pure adult entertainment that just happens to have some sizzling sex included. A true labor of love, this is a film project that Stormy Daniels has wanted to do for a number of years. Thanks to Wicked Pictures and the combined efforts of Adam & Eve Pictures that dream has now been realized. From her very beginning on the adult scene Stormy Daniels has grown into one of the very best writers, directors and performers with some incredible films in both drama and comedy as well as big blockbusters that have won a plethora of nominations and awards. “Wanted” is Ms. Daniels crowning achievement in her career and will be talked about for years after.
The strong story line centers on the Sheriff of Diablo City (Steven St. Croix) and his plan to steal a valuable deed from a woman (Anikka Albrite) that he sets up to be accused of murder and to be hanged. That is when things take a big turn when a band of women (Stormy Daniels, Allie Haze, Amber Rayne) ride into town make the rescue and give the Sheriff more than he bargained for as the action, sexual and otherwise, blazes through this dusty western town.
Right from the opening visuals of the barren, wide open western landscape and the haunting guitar music as the opening credits roll you know this is going to be something very special. It opens with the Garretts, Pearl and Frank, (jessica drake and Jay Crew) having dinner at home. He becomes ill and the doctor gives him medicine to get him better but that doesn’t seem to please Pearl. There is a poker tournament in town that he is taking part in but so is Dani (Stormy Daniels) as she masquerades as a southern belle to win the tournament to save her friend Birdie’s (Amber Rayne) ranch. Before the tournament gets underway Garrett visits local hooker Joanna (Anikka Albrite) for a get together. While he is there he hands over a deed to his big ranch and a map that apparently hides something valuable. He is ill and knows he may not last and wants her to have this deed and map rather than his wife as he has been in love with Joanna for years. It is this deed and map that will create all of the action that will begin taking place with the Sheriff and everyone else.
Garrett dies in her room at the bath house and this sets up the Sheriff to falsely arrest her, accuse her of murder and sentence her to a hanging. Next we see Samuel (Eric Masterson) who was Frank Garrett’s assistant, talking to Lilah (Allie Haze), Dani and Birdie saying that Joanna didn’t murder him, he was very ill, was in love with her and Joanna is being set up by the Sheriff. Dani has an idea and convinces them to go along with her to save Joanna and put the Sheriff in his place. Before you know it as they are about to hang the girl, a big gun battle breaks out on the dusty streets of Diablo City with bodies all over the place as the girls rescue Joanna and ride out of town.
But that is just the beginning of this well played out story.
Next we see the Sheriff wanting to round up a posse to go after the girls and bring them back to hang. No one wants to join his posse except a stranger named Morgan (Brendon Miller) who just happens to ride into town. The girls and Samuel are still riding but Birdie decides they should leave Joanna behind and go on before they get caught. She pleads with them and offers Frank Garrett’s ranch and the map if they will stay with her and protect her. They take refuge in an Apache campsite as they plot their next move against the Sheriff and his posse who are out looking for them. It also leads into a nice teepee three way as well. The next morning Dani sneaks off alone and finds Morgan getting some shut eye. It becomes a fun, rough and tumble exchange as they happen to know each other from the past. So now where will Morgan fit in to this story? Dani comes back and tells them they have to move out right away because of Morgan. Turns out he’s a bounty hunter and looking to collect a big reward on Dani from a long time ago
There is a lot of story in this film that keeps you interested as to what will take place next. There is Samuel going back to his wife (Jodi Taylor) and telling her to get to Yuma and find Marshal Lane (Brad Armstrong). There is a flashback about how Morgan and Dani met, there is a deal between the Sheriff and Garrett’s wife Pearl and then the final showdown that takes place between the Sheriff, his posse and Dani and her ruthless band of females, plus a lot more.
There is no question that this sprawling western is visually extraordinary and has it all. Sex, violence, action and some hold your breath, edge of the seat scenes. The entire cast, big role or small, is incredible with realistic, believable performances. The horsemanship of several of the performers shows and Ms. Daniels direction is very fluid, keeps a good pace and makes it easy for the viewer to follow every twist and turn. The cinematography captures the real essence of the old west and the audio is exceptionally clear and sharp. A lot of credit goes out to Kylie Ireland and Andy Appleton for their spot on set design and art direction in making this pure circa 1880’s in every way right down to the smallest detail. The same goes for the costuming that was handled by Armstrong and was simply perfect in every look and design of the period. The music couldn’t have been more perfect for this epic production (check out the music video with Brendon Miller) for which Ms. Daniels is to be lauded and congratulated on for making this exceptional film. As far as this reviewer/critic is concerned, this is one film that could very well sweep the upcoming awards ceremonies in January.
In reading some of the post production notes before the film’s release it is amazing that this film came out as perfectly as it did. Days of shooting in the desert in over 100 degree temps, equipment breakdowns, illness, production problems and a lot more. Yet Stormy, the cast and crew persevered and the weeks of dedication to the production and filming have paid off in this magnanimous undertaking.
The wait for this one was well worth it and I absolutely and most definitely recommend this film for everyone to see and enjoy. It will be the adult treat of the year. I am very pleased to have “Wanted” from Wicked Pictures & Adam & Eve Pictures as my “Friday 5 Star Feature” on AAN.
One final note: This is one film where you must view the extras to really see and appreciate all the hard work and professionalism that went into this production, plus the fantastic music video that caps it all off.
Review by Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine
