John Wick is not the kind of action movie you see very often, particularly not in the modern era. Where most such films strive for "realism" through overuse of shakycam and quick cuts, every frame of Wick is clean and meticulously framed. Where most action stars spray bullets like water, rarely giving more than a token nod towards recoil, precision or clip size, John Wick uses the reality of his weapons to his advantage, counting bullets like a conductor of an orchestra keeps time.
And if John is a conductor, then his impossibly precise shots are the metronome for a symphony of violence. The body count in this movie is massive, but it never feels gratuitous, even when the screen is literally filled with dead mobsters. The fight choreography is also magnificent, comparable to The Raid and its sequel, although with far less obvious brutality (thanks in part to Wick favoring pistols rather than his fists or knives). The action scenes also work to a surprising degree towards building a complex story with a fascinating, if not fully explored, world.
But even at its most violent, John Wick still has a powerful emotional heart. The script plays to the strengths of its lead, Keanu Reeves, whose performance makes sure we never forget that Wick is a tragic, tormented figure. The surprisingly star-studded cast also turns in consistently good performances, even if they won't be winning any Oscars for this anytime soon. And special mention must be given to the cinematographer, director and editor, who all work to make this film a tight, engaging story from beginning to end.
If you can stand the violence, go see John Wick. You won't regret it.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
John Wick is not the kind of action movie you see very often, particularly not in the modern era. Where most such films strive for "realism" through overuse of shakycam and quick cuts, every frame of Wick is clean and meticulously framed. Where most action stars spray bullets like water, rarely giving more than a token nod towards recoil, precision or clip size, John Wick uses the reality of his weapons to his advantage, counting bullets like a conductor of an orchestra keeps time.
And if John is a conductor, then his impossibly precise shots are the metronome for a symphony of violence. The body count in this movie is massive, but it never feels gratuitous, even when the screen is literally filled with dead mobsters. The fight choreography is also magnificent, comparable to The Raid and its sequel, although with far less obvious brutality (thanks in part to Wick favoring pistols rather than his fists or knives). The action scenes also work to a surprising degree towards building a complex story with a fascinating, if not fully explored, world.
But even at its most violent, John Wick still has a powerful emotional heart. The script plays to the strengths of its lead, Keanu Reeves, whose performance makes sure we never forget that Wick is a tragic, tormented figure. The surprisingly star-studded cast also turns in consistently good performances, even if they won't be winning any Oscars for this anytime soon. And special mention must be given to the cinematographer, director and editor, who all work to make this film a tight, engaging story from beginning to end.
If you can stand the violence, go see John Wick. You won't regret it.