A trio of rambunctious adolescents storm into a man’s house, steal his car, and then, just for the hell of it, beat his dog to death. Unbeknownst to them, the man they robbed is none other than John Wick, a former assassin who was so good at his job that he earned a nickname of “The Boogeyman.” Let’s just say that they pissed off the wrong guy.
Action films don’t always try their hardest to provide a complex story or to get the best performances out of their actors, as they know that the audience is just there to see people get shot, buildings getting blown up, and maybe an occasional high-speed car chase.
Although John Wick may share some of these traits, it is also unique, containing much more substance than your average action flick. It is a wildly entertaining film, from the action scenes, to the sets, to the soundtrack, and in addition, it will likely be known as the comeback role for Keanu Reeves.
Stylishly cool
If there is one way to describe Chad Stahelski‘s directorial debut, it is just that: stylish. The action scenes play out in real time, with no cheesy slow motion, unbelievable CGI special effects, or really anything that seems to create too much disbelief in the viewer. This is a man who is just really good at killing, and he does it with meticulous precision, knowing that there is no room for error. One shot, one kill, move on to the next. It is an intense adrenaline rush when you are in the thick of things, especially with the fast, techno beats of the soundtrack, which drive the action even more relentlessly forward. Though at times it may seem a bit much, especially in the climactic ending, John Wick never really overstays its welcome.
The streets and city of New York are presented as a mostly dark, murky place in John Wick. This is a place where bad things brew, and much like John Wick himself, you have to fight to survive. Yet, there are also vibrant and lively spots if you look deeper, with dancing, music, and sharply dressed people in suits. These are the exclusive parties of the city, although it appears that you have to live a questionable lifestyle in order to be included. The juxtaposition of the dark streets with a light underbelly is truly inventive, and it is here that John Wick rises above the rest.
Diverse characters
The side characters of John Wick may be just as interesting as Wick himself. It includes such diverse actors as Willem Dafoe, who also plays an assassin, Michael Nyqvist, who plays the primary villain, Iosef Tarasov, and Alfie Allen, who plays his whiny, obnoxious son, Viggo. It may be the actions of Viggo that sets the film’s events in motion, but it is really Iosef that you have to look out for. He is a menacing, cold killer, who would not hesitate to order someone’s death, just if it seemed that they might be a threat.
Adrienne Palicki also gives a memorable turn as an ambitious assassin that comes after Wick. Even the less fleshed-out characters contribute to the film in a significant way, as they provide more of a back-story to the world that Wick is a part of. And it is a world that could continue to expand.
Keanu is back
Keanu Reeves‘ name may be synonymous with mediocre, lackluster films, at least lately, with his latest film 47 Ronin in particular being a huge financial and critical disaster. In the 90’s and early 2000’s, though, he was Hollywood’s A-List action star, with such hits as Speed, Point Break, and The Matrix series. And finally with John Wick, he has made a triumphant return.
There is something about the character’s smooth, cool manner, or his calm, expressionless face, which somehow makes him more intimidating than anyone else in the film. It may actually be the most fitting role for Keanu, since we know that he can sometimes be extra hokey in dramatic roles that require more range (see Hardball). And if John Wick becomes a series, which I really hope it does, then Keanu has years ahead of him with the role.
Conclusion
John Wick is really everything that you want out of a movie. Not only will it satisfy the needs of nearly every action-film junkie, but it is also unique to the genre as a whole, with its above-average performances, unique visual tone, and energetic soundtrack. And it also contains one of Keanu’s best roles in years. As I mentioned earlier, I really hope that they make this into a franchise. Because as soon as John Wick ended, I was already thinking about a sequel.
So now I’d like to hear from you. What did everyone else think of John Wick? Would you consider it one of Keanu Reeves’s best roles? Sound off in the comments below!
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