‘John Wick’ – Moustache Movie Review

‘John Wick’ – Moustache Movie Review

Director – Chad Stahelski

Stars- Keanu Reeves, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe

Keanu Reeves has always been one of those Hollywood actors that you liked but asked why he was there? This is in no way an insult, Reeves always felt above the pretentious nature of many well-known actors. He has always been a great presence on screen from his humble beginnings with ‘Bill and Ted’ to one of the best action films of all time ‘The Matrix’. He has countlessly proved he is an amazing actor whilst also being an amazing person (stories of him giving away nearly all his pay checks from various films to crew members pop up from time to time.) And in the past decade, after the Matrix trilogy ended he became less of an A list actor choosing projects, which while being Hollywood productions were never a huge success. However in this Glorious year so far we have seen the ‘return’ of Michael Keaton and it looks as if Reeves is only a short distance behind.

John Wick begins as if David Fincher was behind the camera; most shots of day-to-day life (drinking Coffee, driving) have a grey tinge whilst also sharp and in focus. These small elements add to the story of a grieving John Wick who is attacked in his home, car stolen and puppy killed in front of him. I mean that’s one way to get the audience on your side, look at ‘I am legend’ they made the whole theatre cry when Will Smith’s loving companion kicked the bucket. To add to that his dead wife gave him this puppy as a final gift, all these make sure John Wick has a valid reason to return to his previous life as a contract killer, hunting down the mobster boss’s son (Game of Thrones’ Alfie Allen) who is responsible. The film continues on this trend when we see John Wick begin to wage war with the ensuing endless men at the mafia’s disposal. All these action scenes are clean cut and successfully executed in a Bourne-esk manor, one in particular is when we see our hero enter a church, which is a front for money laundering, armed with an assault rifle he begins to reign hell down on his enemies (nice Juxtaposition right?). John Wick however has its downfall shortly after here where it begins to lose the story and the feel of realism, it descends into a stereotypical Hollywood action film where the climatic sequence doesn’t pay off as much as you would want it too. The first half of the film is strong and shows a great return of form for Reeves which is refreshing, but after about 45 minutes it begins to repeat this idea of an invincible assassin that doesn’t match the tone of the film. What could have been a solid finale is ultimately washed away with battle fatigue and a sense that John Wick will probably win. Even though John Wick doesn’t deliver exactly where we want it to, it still has great moments and of course it’s great to see Keanu back in his stride.

RATING 3/5

Written by Joshua Tanner