On the surface, John Wick looks like just another cookiecutter revenge-thriller, capitalizing on the success of movies like the Taken franchise, etc., etc.
But Keanu Reeves and stuntmen-turned-directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch turn it into much more, with Reeves playing the titular character, a hitman out of retirement and "out for blood".
Yes, the plot is as paper thin as you've heard it to be, but if you're looking for spectacular action, it more than delivers.
A snippet from my theatrical review:
But Keanu Reeves and stuntmen-turned-directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch turn it into much more, with Reeves playing the titular character, a hitman out of retirement and "out for blood".
Yes, the plot is as paper thin as you've heard it to be, but if you're looking for spectacular action, it more than delivers.
A snippet from my theatrical review:
4 out of 5.Whether John is making quick work of a dozen armed assailants who've infiltrated his home or taking the fight to a neon-lit nightclub on his enemies' home turf (the latter of which harkens back to a similar scene in Collateral), Reeves is in top form. And the visceral action is impeccably staged, with fluid camera movements and a restrained editorial style that make it easy to appreciate the many bumps and bruises the stuntmen involved must have had to endure.
Aside from its frenetic action, the film has a couple of other things going for it, not the least of which is its impressive cast. They include the likes of Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Adrianne Palicki and Lance Reddick, all of whom know exactly the kind of film they're in, chewing the scenery appropriately and not overstaying their welcome. The world of the film also benefits from an incredible amount of specificity. For example, when John needs bodies removed, he calls a waste disposal service and makes "dinner reservations", paying in gold coins. Small details like these go a long way in elevating the film above the usual genre fare.