Plot
John Wick, is a former dangerous assassin. His wife has recently passed away from an illness. She gifted him a pet dog to be sent to him following her passing as one last gift of her love as she wanted him to love something other than his car.
One night, he is brutally attacked by a young Russian gangster Iosef, who steals his car, and kills his dog. This awakens his old self – and goes after Iosef and his father Viggo… much to Viggo’s terror due to what Wick is.
Direction
Directed by Stuntman Chad Stahelski in his directorial debut, and it is a banger! With some great settings, off the charts choreography, and amazing action – it is hard to believe that a someone with more experience wasn’t behind the lens!
There are many moments of excitement, but for me it was the Red Circle sequence that was executed (pardon the pun) perfectly.
Cast/Characters
Keanu Reeves plays Wick, who was basically born for this role. He had a career resurgence because of this film, and it is deserved for the amazing human he is. Wick is considered the ‘Baba Yaga’ – the one you send to kill the boogeyman.
Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen plays Iosef, who discovers that the ‘nobody’ he stole from is out for revenge.
the late Michael Nyqvist plays Viggo, Iosef’s father – who ‘reluctantly’ has to put a hit on Wick in order to save his son.
Adrianne Palicki plays ‘Perkins’ a hitwoman who Wick knows from his past, and he converses with throughout the film at the safe house of the continental.
Bridget Moynahan plays Helen, John’s late wife seen through flashbacks.
Dean Winterss plays Avi, Viggo’s attorney. He gets lots to do and is a fun addition to the movie.
John Leguizamo plays Aurelio, the mechanic who works for Viggo, and who is the one who Iosef goes to with John’s stolen car. As always he is another fun addition to the franchise.
Willem Dafoe, plays Marcus, an old friend of John’s, who Viggo hires to assassinate him.
Ian McShane plays Winston, the owner of the Continental, and the late great Lance Reddick plays Charon – the Continental Manager/Concierge.
Breakdown
The plot itself here is paper thin, but it is how it is displayed on screen that really is what sells it.
The notion of a retired hit-man, who was so notoriously famous that mob bosses are frightened of him (Viggo’s “oh” reaction to discovering who’s dog his son killed is almost comical, because he knows what is about to happen). At one point, you almost feel sorry for him, that he got caught up in his sons shenanigans.
I particularly enjoyed Willem Dafoe’s red herring character. We are introduced to him as Wick’s friend, who then takes the contract on Wick, but ends up continuously saving him (thereby breaking the rules of the contract).
The mythology of The Continental – the ‘safe-house’ where hit-men go for respite – is introduced minimally. The mythos of those around him and the culture of the criminal underworld become more apparent in the next three movies.
Wick’s merciless in his vow of revenge is nothing short of legendary. He truly takes a beating at times, but when he succeeds, you root for him at all times; and when the villains fall (especially the likes of Iosef and Perkins), you can’t help but cheer that they get their just deserts!
Overall
Fun introduction to the ‘John Wick’ Franchise, which is five strong so far. Reeves was already a superstar before this, but this catapulted him to whatever is above a superstar.
It’s actually quite funny that Keanu’s prowess in using guns here, especially in reloading them, have become a new technique that professionals use it was that efficient.
This is a film that actually proves that he can actually act.
4/5
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Ryan's Movie Reviews 