Film review: John Wick (15)

It’s been a while since I’ve really rated a Keanu Reeves film – but John Wick serves as a massive return to form for one of the top male actors in the business.

Reeves has starred in a number of films I’ve loved over the years, be it Devil’s Advocate, Johnny Mnemonic, The Matrix trilogy or even Constantine.

But I’ve not really rated anything he’s done since Street Kings in 2008.

John Wick, however, was absolutely made for him.

Directed by Chad Stahelski, who is well known as a stunt coordinator from big budget films such as The Hunger Games and The Wolverine, this is a classic revenge story.

Reeves plays the title character, a retired assassin referred to as ‘the man you hired to kill the boogeyman’.

Having given up the life to care for his sick wife, he’s dragged back into the business following her death.

Despite his best efforts to live an honest life and look after his pet puppy Daisy, a chance meeting with spoiled brat Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen – Game Of Thrones), the son of Russian mobster Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist – The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo), leaves him battered, carless and grieving for his poor old pooch.

What follows is a revenge mission that you could compare to such classics as Man On Fire and Taken, with Wick essentially a one-man killing machine.

With Viggo – who is an excellent character – putting a contract on his head, Wick is forced to take solace in a secret hotel dubbed ‘The Continental,’ a place where hitmen go to relax and do business.

Much of the film takes place here, with Ian McShane (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) very strong as the intruiging hotel owner.

Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man) is also excellent in a cameo role as Marcus, Wick’s sharp-shooting buddy, while Adrianne Palicki (Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD) plays a decent hand as Perkins, a hitman gunning for the bounty.

At times, the film feels like a fast-paced video game. There are a couple of amazing scenes where Wick runs riot, racking up a stupendous body count, accompanied a by suitably awesome soundtrack.

It feels like the ideal role for Reeves, who has a strong background in martial arts.

If you’re looking for negatives, there’s something of a disappointing ending to Wick’s violent crusade, but I’m certainly invested in his world and there’s plenty of material for a sequel.

I, for one, would definitely be keen to see another Reeves masterclass should common sense prevail.

Voice Verdict: 8.5/10 (watched a West End Cinema, Boston)
+ Keanu Reeves is awesome
+ Great action
+ Strong performances
– Tame ending

Showtimes at West End Cinema, Boston (Fri, April 17 to Thurs, April 23)
Box office: 01205 363634
Web: www.westendcinema.co.uk/SavoyBoston

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