Movie Review: ‘John Wick’ burns action at both ends

Published 6:00 am Thursday, October 30, 2014

‘John Wick’

Action: 1 hour, 41 minutes

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen and Willem Dafoe 

Directors: David Leitch and Chad Stahelski

Rated: R (Strong and bloody violence, profanity and brief drug use)

Movie Review: If action is what you like in films, then “John Wick” delivers plenty, plus some.

It is about John Wick (Reeves), an ex-hitman. He is still grieving his recently deceased wife when Iosef Tarasov, the son of Russian crime lord Viggo Tarasov (Nyqvist), attacks Wick, steals his vintage car and fatally wounds his puppy that was a recent gift from his wife.

Wick comes out of retirement to exact revenge.

Derek Kolstad wrote this screenplay in a straightforward manner. He did not clutter with unnecessary aspects. The story is a straight line.

Malevolent people do bad acts and the protagonist acts to stop them in an act of revenge.

This film is really an action noir movie.

Its cast is unethical people. They kill people for living, yet these assassins have a code about how and when they can kill.

This provides a circle of cordial elites. These people are not good moral individuals, but they do operate in a rule-based system. This is a fascinating background aspect.

However, people watching will appreciate the action, not background story elements.

The action is nonstop adrenaline. Gunshots, fistfights and knife challenges are all presents.

At the heart of this action, Reeves is present in full force. He kills like a machine, often shooting his victims at least twice, once in the chest and once in the head.

Yes, he wants to make sure his enemies are dead. He shoots some enough that they will perhaps arrive in the afterlife too.

Reeves fits these types of roles that require little emotion. He has a certain coldness, like a Vulcan from “Star Trek.” His demeanor works well here.

He is a killer, so strong emotions may hinder his job.

Reeves plays his part with a certain quiet zeal.

Others also add to this film’s appeal.

Allen from HBO’s “Game of Thrones” works as a spoiled young man who likes to party.

Nyqvist works as his father, although his character appears to undergo personality changes throughout.

Talented actors Dafoe and Ian McShane add to this screenplay.

The action sequences remain the attraction. This film scores major points for some of the best action in a movie this year.

Heavy action scenes are no surprise.

“John Wick is directed by Leitch and Stahelski. They are both stuntmen, stunt coordinators and actors. This film is their directorial debut, and they have shown they have skills.    

Grade: B+ (John Wick is the man.)