John Wick

I'm not a big fan of over-the-top action movies. I was a police officer for 7 years, and I've been in a lot of fights and dangerous situations. Most of the movies I see are so fake, they're hard to watch. When you watch John Wick, you'll see the main character wrestling with foes to get their guns away, running out of bullets mid-fight and having to reload, and most fights end up on the ground, just like they do in real life. When he suffocates someone, it takes them a while to die, and the actors struggle for their lives in a believable way. It's all-around good acting from the main cast and everyone that's just there to get the body count higher. The stories in John Wick and John Wick 2 are great. In the first, John Wick tries to retire from his assassin career after his wife dies of an illness. She gives him a dog so he can love something when she's gone, and he finds a way to have hope through his relationship with the animal. That is until someone breaks into his house to steal his car and kills the dog, causing him to get back into his old ways to get revenge. It's a believable setup and the love and loss of his wife and then dog are heart-wrenching. There is a main set-piece that deserves special mention as well: the Continental Hotel. It's run by the shady element John Wick comes from, and is filled with people like him, but there's one special rule to the place, that no "business" can be conducted on the premises. This makes the hotel a sort of sacred ground and gives it its own life, as it features prominently in both the first and second movie. What also makes the world of the John Wick movies feel real are the use of gold token coins. John has a lot of them, and they're accepted as currency in different places and by different people. When he pays someone in a coin, it makes the world feel like it has existed long before we see it, that the ecosystem didn't just start when the viewer arrived to see it like some movies do. The second movie's plot involves John Wick having to repay a debt he owes someone from when he first started his career. This forces him out of retirement until his debt is paid. The plot of the second movie isn't as motivating as the first, but the action is even better. There are more fight scenes, and the quality and duration is higher. The gunplay in both of these movies is outstanding. John Wick has supernatural aim with weapons, and it's not like other action movies where the heroes spray bullets everywhere and no one can ever hit what they're aiming at. Keanu moves like a police officer or a soldier, always aiming down sights and prepared for what is coming around the corner. He shoots people in the foot or chest to cause them to drop their guards so he can finish them off with a headshot. He's also not a "good guy", so he kills the people that are trying to kill him without a second thought. I often watch movies where the hero lets the bad guy go and regrets it later. This would never happen with John Wick, and I appreciate him more for that. I rented the John Wick movies at Redbox, and after I had returned them I found myself thinking about the action sequences again and again. I had to buy them to add them to my collection, and they were just as good during the second and third viewings. They've topped my list of favorite action movies, and I recommend them to anyone who likes expert gun-fighting scenarios without being unrealistic or over-the-top with gore and explosions. I recommend both movies. You don't need to see the first to appreciate the second, but you really should see both as they're that good. Eleven out of five stars if I could.

I love the John wick movies and this one is great. Thanks.

I first saw the film, John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves, at the theater when it was originally released. I hadn’t known anything about the movie until the week before when I accidentally saw a trailer for it on television. That sparked my interest. When I went to see the movie, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Since this Fall season had proven to be a great year for me and seeing movies at the theater (The Expendables 3, The November Man, A Walk Among the Tombstones, The Fury, The Judge, and The Equalizer), I suspected that John Wick might turn out to be the biggest and most badass action thriller of the year. For me, it certainly was. Like most of the other titles listed above, I also realized I needed to see the film a second time to see if I still felt the same about the movie. I had discussed the film with another reviewer whose opinion is usually right on the button with movies. He had graded it, however, a star lower than I would have, expressing a problem with the change in attitude near the end with the head of the Russian mafia in New York City, Viggo Tarasov (as played by Michael Nyqvist). Spoiler Alert! In other words, to live, the mobster had to be willing to turn over his son (Iosef) to John Wick. It took watching the movie a second time for me to feel comfortable with this change in attitude and to understand why the Russian mobster did it. As most viewers already know, the movie opens up with the death of Wick’s wife (played by the lovely Bridget Moynahan as Helen) and a few flashbacks to set up why Wick loved her so much. It worked for me. I could certainly emphasize with man when the Russian thugs break into his house, beat him up with a baseball bat, steal his muscle car, but more importantly, kill the puppy dog that was a final gift from his wife to help him with his grieving and to give him something else to love. Once Viggo realizes that his son (Alfie Allen plays Iosef) did these things to John Wick, he fully understands the nature of his situation and what must be done. He knows there will be no reasoning with John Wick about this, though he does give it the old American effort. That’s when he realizes Wick must be killed. I mean this is the man who used to work for Viggo…the man Viggo sent to kill the Boogeyman. He knows how deadly Wick can be and so sends a dozen well-trained killers to the man’s house. Wick kills them all with either gunshots to the head or hand-to-hand combat. No mercy is shown. That’s the moment in the film when most viewers realize something very special is going on…that Keanu Reeves is back in full battle mode. John Wick eventually has to take out the entire Russian mob in New York City to get to that one person who instigated it all, and he does it with such proficiency and panache that it nearly takes your breath away. The fights scenes alone will blow you away as Wick utilizes every move he knows from throat jabs to high kicks to using his knees and elbows to block and attack, not to mention countless take-down tactics. And these are all done with intensity and speed. They don’t look choreographed at all. Handguns are also treated realistically with Wick having to reload his semi-automatic handguns and automatic rifles continuously as he runs out of ammunition. He also has more than one or two handguns on him at any given time, and when he shoots a bad guy, he always ends it with a head shot. It’s usually two to the chest or stomach, and then one to the head. This way, no one gets back up to attack him. I loved Ms. Perkins (played by Adrianne Palicki), who is just as dangerous as Wick with small arms and hand-to-hand fighting. She’s called in for a high price to take Wick out and very nearly succeeds. She fights him with such skill and relish that I think he spurred her at sometime in the past. Maybe dropping her to marry Helen, and this is her revenge. Then, there’s the other assassin, Marcus, who’s brilliantly played by Willem Dafoe. You don’t quite understand his motives until the end. This is when you grasp the fact that he sees Wick as kind of a son figure. This is a relationship that Viggo will never have with his own flesh and blood. Marcus is ready to die for John Wick, but Viggo does just the opposite with Iosef, which tells you something about Wick and the person he’s hunting. There’s also Ian McShane as Winston, the owner of the hotel where Wick stays. McShane brings his character wonderfully to life by underplaying him. It gives his actions and dialogue even more strength, especially when he confronts Ms. Perkins at the end, knowing how deadly she is. Beautifully filmed, expertly choreographed, this film truly delivers on the action and fight scenes. This is not a thinking man’s movie, but rather one designed to bring Keanu Reeves back with full force to the fans who loved him in the Matrix trilogy. One major thing you should know about the regular DVD. There are no extras on it, unless you count the previews. No commentary, no deleted scenes, and no behind-the-scenes features. I haven’t seen the Blu-ray edition yet, so I can’t comment on that. I was totally surprised since this is the type of film you’d expect to have a ton of extras on it, especially with regards to the fighting sequences. So, if you buy the regular DVD, be aware of that. The movie itself is certainly worth the price alone.

'John Wick' came to us in theaters during an influx of assassin-related films seemed to be hitting the theaters across the globe. To break away from the pack Keanu Reeves needed to will the film through the similarities between the sub-genre and lot of films that came out during the time period. When you look at films like 'Safe House' or 'The Mechanic' it becomes evident that 'John Wick' could linger into the same trap that this sub-genre is susceptible to. Truthfully I love everything about the assassin-related sub-genre, but finding something to truly connect with is a rare breed when considering the formula used to make these films. Looking at Keanu Reeves' acting in 'John Wick' I have come to find this one of his best performances. The entire film revolves around John Wick and his transition from the assassin lifestyle to pseudo-retirement, back to full-time assassinating. While there is a pretty strong cast around Keanu (Willem Dafoe, John Leguizamo, Michael Nyqvist, Ian McShane to name a few) the linchpin that carries the entire film is Keanu. Portraying a wide multitude of emotions, physical stunts and work that is taxing to watch let alone perform, and deep emotional scenes throughout, Keanu delivers from the first scene through to the end. If you couldn't tell already I believe Keanu Reeves absolutely wills the film to success. But with his performance aside I want to hit on some of the other amazing components. The action was raw and exhilarating. Each scene felt like it had to outdo the last and the building up of the drama only seemed to heighten as time went on. The choreographing and fight coordinating worked so well together that they truly did feel like part of the film and not just additions to keep the viewer's attention. The emotion was intense and fulfilling. I think one of the most under rated aspects of 'John Wick' was the raw emotion throughout the story. We are meant to suffer with John Wick as he relives his past, endures the present, and plans for a better future. For assassin-genre films the emotional component his quite high. I also thoroughly enjoyed the entire look of the film. I wouldn't exactly consider the film's color dulled, but the color choices are much darker and more deep rooted giving the entire film a more dark and mysterious feel. I highly recommend 'John Wick' for anyone looking for an action flick, a Keanu Reeves success, or an assassin-genre top title. 'John Wick' is sure to please from first note to the final huzzah. 5 Pumped Up Stars out of 5!

John Wick is a fairly "simple" story. Keanu Reeves plays an ex-assassin who left the profession to get married. His dying wife gives him a puppy so he will not be alone when she dies, and the son of a Russian mobster, not knowing who he is, breaks into his house, beats him up, steals his car, and worst of all kills the dog. From that point, it is Keanu killing everyone in sight to get revenge. Of course, every action movie Keanu does is going to be compared to the Matrix movies. This does have very similar fight scenes with a lot of martial arts and shoot-em-up "gun-fu" as they call it. The fight scenes are more realistic than the Matrix, obviously, and Keanu is not quite as indestructible as he is in those movies. Almost, however. The supporting cast includes a great mix of notable and character actors including Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, and Willem Dafoe. It seems like everyone involved was having fun with the movie, being serious about it, without taking it too seriously. For those who get the 4k disc, the movie looks and sounds great. The UHD disc has the movie and all the extras, which include about 45 minutes or so of making-of and behind-the-scenes material, the best of which show that Reeves is still committed to doing as many of his own stunts as possible. A good amount of material included, especially since the movie is only about an hour and 40 minutes long. Overall, if you are looking for a good action movie, that flows well, and is a fun ride, this is definitely worth it. It is very violent and bloody, but that works for the type of movie that it is. I absolutely recommend it.

Good movie

I recently had the pleasure of watching "John Wick" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and I must say, I was blown away. The picture quality is absolutely stunning, with every detail of the film's stunning action sequences and breathtaking landscapes popping off the screen in vivid clarity. But the visual spectacle is just the beginning. "John Wick" is a masterful action thriller that delivers on all fronts. From the exhilarating fight scenes to the gripping story and expertly crafted characters, this film has it all. Keanu Reeves is at his best as the legendary hitman John Wick, a man on a mission of vengeance who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The 4K Ultra HD format only enhances the film's already impressive visuals, with deep blacks and vibrant colors that make every scene look like a work of art. The sound quality is equally impressive, with a robust and immersive audio experience that transports you right into the heart of the action. Overall, "John Wick" on 4K Ultra HD is a must-have for any action movie fan. The film's stunning visuals and heart-pumping action make it a thrilling ride from start to finish. I highly recommend this release to anyone looking for an adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

If ever an action movie was underrated and overlooked, it has to be "John Wick" (or as it's now becoming known, "John Wick: Chapter One." The plot is as old as the hills: top hit man retires to start a new life, tragedy strikes, and said hit man returns with a vengeance to kill anyone and anything that gets in his way. What really distinguishes "John Wick" from the rest of the pack is the execution (no pun intended). Keanu Reeves plays the role well, maintaining a stoic demeanor through much of the film. He portrays a convincing human killing machine, with an extremely dry sense of humor on the very few occasions where there are laughs to be had. For the most, however, this is a grim and dark film, with a massive bodycount and terrific action sequences in which scores of bad guys and gals are dispatched with bullets, blades, and vehicles. We've seen it all before, but rarely has it been done so well, and "John Wick" makes for a great action thriller that only improves with multiple viewings. In 4K Ultra, the movie looks beautiful. The blacks which dominate the cinematography are sharp and crisp, the colors are vibrant, and the level of detail is superb. So far as extras go, you get a number of behind the scenes featurettes which focus on various aspects of the production. It is particularly impressive to see the amount of work that Keanu Reeves put into the role before a single frame was shot. All in all, the asking price (current about $15) for a 4K Ultra disk is unbeatable, and you'd be well advised to pick this one up before heading to the movie theater to catch "John Wick: Chapter 2".