In this thrilling action noir, actor Keanu Reeves stars as the titular character, a retired hitman who is grieving the death of his beloved wife. After crossing paths with the son of powerful crime boss Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist), he finds himself being targeted during one fateful night, when a gang of thugs break into his home, steal his car, and take the life of his dog, who was a final gift from his late wife. While devastated and initially unwilling to return to his former career and way of life, John decides to take matters into his own hands and sets out to seek justice, hunting down the gangsters and sending Tarasov a reminder of what happens when you push a broken man too far.
I remember being pleasantly surprised when I first saw "John Wick" in theatres, and after a few rewatches it has definitely grown to be one of my favorite action films, as have its two sequels (I would highly recommend them as well!). While the story somewhat lacks in substance, the film truly delivers with its breathtaking, expertly choreographed and visually kinetic action set pieces, with swift, steady direction from filmmaker Chad Stahelski, a veteran stuntman and fight coordinator who has worked on countless movies including the Hunger Games, Deadpool, Spider-Man 2, and Tron: Legacy (he was even Keanu's stunt double on the Matrix trilogy and Constantine).
Reeves continues to prove himself a capable and worthy blockbuster star, and he gives an awesome and memorable performance in this first installment of the franchise. This film also features a great supporting cast including Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Adrianne Palicki.
"John Wick" is a fun time at the movies, so if you are seeking exhilarating action and thrills, buckle up, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride! Check it out on DVD/Blu-Ray and streaming platforms today!
Rating: 4.5/5
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