Sunday 19 April 2015

John Wick

UK Release Date: 10th April 2015

An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him (www.imdb.com).

Director: Chad Staheski, David Leitch

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Defoe, Adrianne Palicki

Keanu Reeves is back with a vengeance. A real vengeance. John Wick is easy to follow; Wick (Reeves), having lost his wife and attended her funeral, is taking the time to mourn the one he loved. An unexpected delivery in the form of a new pet jolts him out of misery, that is until a mob of Russians break into his house, kill his dog and steal his car. They have unleashed the monster in him; he tears through New York city leaving a rather large body count in his wake. First time directors Staheski and Leitch makes John Wick an incredibly powerful film. They're known in the industry for their stunt coordination skills, so it's only right that they're at the helm. Keanu Reeves' martial arts is replaced with raw grappling and gritty kills. The action is smooth, energetic and dynamic. Reeves is ideal as the wounded hitman, saying little and expressing emotion through his brawling. The Russian gangsters and their boss play a familiar tune. Viggo (Nyqvist) knows his son's pissed off the wrong person. Humour accompanies his importance as a leader, adding value to the film's atmosphere. Topping that is the film's rich, dark blue hues in every shot, giving us a tease of NY City's underground scene. I mean, who wouldn't want to check in to a hotel where all the other hitmen stay? John Wick is stylish, sophisticated and compact. A sequel is already in the works.

4.5/5

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