The gunkata is back! There is no doubt in the back of my mind that the main character in this movie, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), must have seen Equilibrium quite a few times and studied it to perfection. The grace with which he moves with his guns while eliminating foes left and right is similar to that of an armed ballerina. Before you get to see that ballet of violence though the movie introduces him as a man grieving the death of his wife. When he gets a last, unexpected gift delivered to his house from her it means a lot to him.
John Wick drives a classic car and when he is at a gas station a Russian man, Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen), tells him he would like to buy it. John tells him it isn’t for sale, but that same evening his house is violently broken into. When he finds out that the person behind it is the son of a former employer he has to head back into a world he had left behind.
The film has been directed by Chad Stahelski and it’s his first movie where he’s behind the camera. Before this film he used to do stunts and it is because of that experience that he knows how to show action exquisitely. The stunts and fights are dynamic and he doesn’t cut away from it, which you often see in other action movies. The result is beautifully choreographed action which Reeves (who’s already 50!) executes forcefully.
John Wick delivers a fascinating film, with great supporting roles (Michael Nyqvist as a dangerous crime boss, but also John Leguizamo and Willem Dafoe). It also creates a believable and secret society of hitmen, who all converge in a hotel where they are not allowed to kill. So isn’t there anything bad to say about the film? Well, as this is an action movie there are a couple of moments where specific characters are a bit too lucky getting away from or surviving something, which artificially lengthens the film. That’s forgivable though when the rest is so great. Keanu Reeves shows that he still has what it takes to be the leading man.
I haven’t enjoyed a recent Keanu Reeves movie until this one. This was well-executed, though the final scenes were a bit ‘over the top’ in terms of dramatic finishes. Good review.
I would have to go through his filmography to be sure but probably would agree that ones before weren’t as enjoyable. Yeah, it kept dragging a bit at the end (he could have shot him way before), but I could forgive the movie for it.
I really enjoyed the heck out of this movie. Keanu’s great in action films and he’s certainly still got it. He doesn’t look a day over 35! I also love the soundtrack of this one Nostra!
He definitely still has it and does look relatively young. Hope I still look like that when I hit that age!
It’s not what you did, son, it’s who you did it to.
Hahaha, that really is a classic line from the movie.
It’s those lines that make the action films 😀
This was one of the biggest surprises of the year, I think. Tons of fun. Great to see Keanu kicking ass once again.
Yeah, he was awesome in it.
This film keeps getting great reviews. I really need to check it out I think.
Yeah Rodney, knowing you I think you’d probably enjoy it.
John Wick is a GREAT film. Definitely a fun film to watch. The action is really entertaining and Keanu Reeves does a good job. But seriously, leave the puppy alone!
I know you’d feel the same about this one Jaina. If you have learned one thing about movies you should know that it is always bad to be a puppy or a pregnant wife in a movie as usually bad things happen to them.
Really enjoyed that movie, loved the idea of the dog being the reason for revenge and Keanu can still kick so much ass
Yeah, that was set up well making it believable.
Great work here Nostra. Caught this over the weekend and I absolutely loved it. So much fun to be had here, and it was shot so beautifully!
What’s not to love about it right 🙂
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