'John Wick' A Review

John Wick is a revenge action movie about a retired hitman whose car is stolen and dog is killed. John Wick(Keanu Reeves) is a fearsome hitman for the Russian mob nicknamed "The Boogeyman". When he got the news of his wife's illness he retired. As the movie opens she has just died, her parting gift to him a beagle pup, something for him to love. After the funeral at a gas station Wick's '69 Mustang catches the attention of young buck Russian mobster Iosef who subsequently breaks into Wick's apartment steals the car, kills the dog, and roughs up Wick. Wick comes out of retirement intent on taking Iosef's life. There is a lot of collateral damage.

In the wake of the success of Taken this type of movie has been made and remade a number of times in the last five years. This incarnation doesn't offer anything new in regards to narrative but does provide some originality in the fight choreography and in the performance from Reeves.

Although not quite innovative the gun play and hand-to-hand combat is unique. Intriguing in its specificity and realism. Different enough to rise(slightly) above other action flick fare. Reeves seems to be following in the footsteps of Nicholas Cage, not only in his choice of roles but in his method of performance. Reeves gives Wick 100% commitment, plays him with menace and a bizarre psychotic glee. At one point tied to a chair before he is tortured he shouts "YEAH I'D SAY I'M BACK!"

Sufficiently entertaining, containing absolutely no surprises.

Rent It.