Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
First-time Director Chad Stahelski has a fantastic first time outing with up-and-coming Screenwriter Derek Kolstad in John Wick. In the last 20 or so years, Cinema has continuously tried to recreate the on screen gold that was the 80s-Action genre. These Movies were usually stylistically appealing with a heavy hand in violence, where Story came second and entertainment came first and foremost. Thankfully, aside from the stylization throughout John Wick, there actually is also a well-conceived revenge Storyline added to the Film.
John Wick starts off starts off with a saddened John Wick (Keanu Reeves) after we learn that his beloved Wife (Bridget Moynahan) has passed away – not at the hand of Assassins or someone wanting Wick’s attention, but instead at a disease. As Wick is trying to cope with his Wife’s death, he receives a package – a dog more specifically – that his Wife arranged to be delivered to him upon her death. This is where things get interesting, Wick who is a Car Collector, runs into some local thugs/mafia kids and butts heads with them, refusing to sell his car to them. Fooled by their false sense of invicibility, they decide to break into Wick’s house to steal the said car, roughing him up and at once killing the dog. That was their biggest mistake, especially for Losef (Alfie Allen) whose Father, Viggo (Michael Nyqvist) is well aware of the menacing John Wick. And what we have here is great, gripping tale of vengeance.
Reeves’ Résumé as an Action Hero needs little introduction, but few can deny that he delivers one of the best performances of his career in John Wick. His commanding presence is as pronounced as ever here and you will find it challenging to keep your eyes off of him amidst the commotion on-screen. From start to finish, Reeves engages and delivers pure adrenaline in this 102 minutes Action Ride!
eOne Films release John Wick on Friday, October 24th , 2014.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com