John Wick, a 2014 movie directed by Chad Stahelski, stars Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, and Alfie Allen. It is available to rent right now on Amazon Prime and YouTube.
The story follows a retired hitman, who is grieving over the loss of his wife, who leaves John a puppy as a final gift before she dies. When his house is robbed and his dog is killed, he is forced to return to the past he has tried so hard to forget about and leave behind.
Keanu Reeves, a beloved actor for decades, brings John Wick to life with his calm, serious attitude, showing a character who hides his pain and anger behind a mask of violence and vengeance. John is known for keeping his cool on the outside, not revealing any emotion, even while having all this rage inside of him.
When shooting this film, Reeves made a commitment to perform many of his own stunts, which also helps make the action feel real. While the classic and beloved movie The Matrix revealed Reeves as an action star, John Wick has given him the chance to really show a new side of himself as a leading man.
At its core, John Wick is a movie about grief and revenge. John has no plans of returning back to his former life. The film explores how sorrow can drive a person to extreme actions, making John’s journey to avenge his dead puppy both personal and emotional.
The film also explores the cost of revenge. John’s journey isn’t about fighting enemies; it’s about the immense pain of losing his wife and the desperate need for him to honor her final gift. Each action scene is fueled by the sadness he now lives with, making each fighting scene not only a physical battle but one that is driven by loss and love.
Additionally, the stunt work in John Wick is something unforgettable. For someone like me, who isn’t a big action movie fan (and usually zones out during every fight scene), this movie is incredible, and the stunt scenes are truly artistic.
Everything looks so real, to the point where it’s painful to watch, as if you feel every fall, every hit and every wound. Remember that Keanu Reeves is doing most of his own stunt work, which is pretty rare nowadays, and it’s crazy, considering the amount of falling and fighting he does in this movie.
The film also showcases gunplay and hand-to-hand combat in great detail. This approach is usually referred to as “gun-fu,” and this movie has become a major influence on all action films, making scenes feel more realistic for the audience.
One thing that really stuck with me while watching this film is the fact that it introduces the viewer to a mysterious new world. Sure, it might take place in our everyday cities, but this movie shows that there is another society hiding in plain sight, with different people who have a whole different set of morals. (How often is it that you see a hotel full of assassins? Not very often.) This movie further shows us the difference between regular people and the rich and powerful, and how the more power you gain, the fewer morals you may have.
The Continental is a key part of this world, and it is not just a hotel. It’s also a neutral ground in the world of assassins. The strict rule, where no killing is permitted on its grounds, creates tension, and it helps establish the underground society that John Wick now has to navigate.
The Continental can be a mystery to the audience at times. In certain scenes, it acts as a sanctuary for John, but at other times, it is a dangerous place, as there might be someone out to kill him who does not believe in the strict rules that the hotel has put in place. This secret society adds a layer of intrigue to the story and sets the stage for future action films.
John Wick is the type of movie that gains even more fans than it loses, every time a new movie is released. Considering the future of this franchise, each sequel that is released becomes more famous than the previous one. John Wick will not be forgotten, and it will always be considered a classic that never goes out of style, because there are constantly more people watching it and falling in love with it.
Ultimately, John Wick is a standout action film that has redefined what audiences truly expect from this genre. Its stunt work and emotional backstory, not to mention the performance by Keanu Reeves, really put this movie over the top.
With its growing franchise, and the long-lasting impact it has had on the history of action cinema, John Wick still is one of the most influential and exciting films of the past decade. And if you enjoy this movie, make sure to watch the rest of the John Wick series, and check out the other movies Keanu Reeves has starred in, especially The Matrix and Speed.
