Review of John Wick (2014) by Josh R — 16 Oct 2015

For what it is, it's a pretty perfect action film. This will certainly rank in my top 10 films of the year. I am aware this is a 2014 release in the US but hailing from the UK, we only got the movie recently.

Pros:

+Going into this movie and hearing that this was directed and written by veteran stuntmen, I was a little more than hesitant. This is the kind of film that could easily have been a quick, cheap, terrible action fare. It surprised me absolutely. The writer and directors of this film did a terrific job with a simple but very effective revenge story.

+One of the best things Keanu Reeves has been in, bringing genuine dramatic heft and doing an excellent job at conveying the grief, the sorrow and the fury of the title character.

+The nightclub sequence.

+In general the film has some pretty good performances from just about everyone involved and some surprising appearances I was not expecting. Alfie Allen, Willem Defo and John Leguizamo?

+The action is brutal but not overtly so. It's an action film yes, but the brutality doesn't overtake the entire narrative.

+This is a film that has the potential to be the start of a great, new franchise and intriguing world building.

Cons:

-At times, the film does feel a little rushed, such as the ending.

Concensus:

Precise action and efficient to a fault, John Wick must rank among the strongest and most entertaining action films of the last few years with total commitment to.

The titular role in one of Keanu Reeve's best performances.

5 'wicks' out of 5.