There are two things I learned by watching Keanu Reeves in David Leitch and Chad Staheiski's high stakes revenge film John Wick: the guy knows how to kick some major ass, and you simply don't f*ck with man's best friend.
Known for such films as The Matrix, Constantine and The Lake House, Keanu Reeves has been somewhat of a mixed bag in regards to both quality of performance and genre preference. A true hit-or-miss artist, he has left audiences in limbo in regard to the legitimacy of his future projects"¦until now. With one swift punch and a hard-laced attitude, Reeves perfectly encompasses John Wick, an ex-hitman who left the life behind after falling in love. Combining just enough arrogance and wit, Reeves and company are able to sell the cliché moments with ease, giving fans exactly what they want--high intensity action and an extreme wealth of kill shots.
On paper, John Wick appeared destined for the bottom of a five dollar bin in the middle of the Wal-Mart aisle on Black Friday. But within the first ten minutes, you realize that the film offers more than originally meets the eyes as Leitch and Stahelski successfully introduce a character (and situation) to get behind. And though the conflict seems a bit ridiculous (and the rebuttal even more so), it somehow works, setting the stage for over two hours of crazy revenge killing that constantly blurs the line between outrageous and downright amazing!
Michael Nyqvist, Willem Dafoe and Adrianne Palicki add to the overall quality of the film with stellar performances of their own. Though each serves as an obvious supporting player, each is able to take full advantage of their screen time, crafting characters that are both complex and integral to the advancement of Wick's story. They are each careful not to overshadow Reeves (this is truly his film from start to finish), but none shy away either -- a unique balance that is rarely seen in this style of genre film.
But at the end of the day, all we want is to see a handful of uniquely choreographed fight sequences, a heavy amount of blood and a successful mission. John Wick doesn't disappoint in any aspect. Intense to the brim and a true-to-form thrill ride to the very last scene, the film thrusts a breath of fresh air into a tired and predictable genre. And though the film won't be winning any awards, it follows in the footsteps of films like Taken and Kill Bill and should breathe new life into Reeves' otherwise waning career.
