Action flicks are my favorite and “John Wick” is that rare
action thriller that’s actually satisfyingly good. The growing trend for PG-13
action and the emergence of computer-generated imaging has rendered old-school
violence obsolete. Then along comes unlikely candidate Keanu Reeves to ignite
the flame once again. For those who crave no-holds barred action, this is one
of the year’s best. There isn’t much of a plot other than our hero is out to
avenge wrongs done to him. So he goes through an increasingly difficult series
of bad guys until he comes face-to-face with the Big Boss. John Wick is an
ex-mob assassin who is brought of out retirement when his car is stolen and his
dog is killed (I hated this part) by the punk Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen),
Iosef is the son of Wick’s former boss, Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist). The
path to father and son forces Wick to run a gauntlet comprised of old friends,
associates and enemies played by Willem Dafoe, Adrianne Palicki, John Leguizamo
and Ian McShane.
The movies’ greatest strength is its relentless momentum. It
offers occasional breaks, including amusing scenes that take place in a hotel where
guests aren’t allowed to ‘talk shop.’ (Breaking that rule, it turns out, can
have serious consequences.) For the most part, however, “John Wick” knows what
it is and is unapologetic about it. This is a kick-butt action film, directed
by former stuntmen/coordinators David Leitch and Chad Stahelski. They show that
they understand how to frame a fight and never resort to the kind of quick cuts
that result in narrative confusion. Reeves, who has never displayed much range,
is at his strongest when he can remain stoic. He has enough back story to make
him sympathetic, but ultimately he’s a force of nature. 10/2014
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