Chad Stahelski’s modern cinematic masterpiece “John Wick” arguably redefined the action genre of the last decade. Starring Keanu Reeves as the title character, it depicts the tale of a retired hitman who is pulled back into his violent past after a group of criminals pilfer his car and kill his dog, a gift from his late wife. What begins as a simple act of revenge morphs into a violent journey involving an underground world of assassins and more.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its streamlined plot. Unlike many action movies that rely on complicated stories, “John Wick” keeps its narrative simple and emotional. John’s motivation is easy to understand: these men took everything from him and now they must pay. John is not someone ruthlessly killing for no purpose, he was hoisted back into a life he attempted to escape.
Keanu Reeves delivers a powerful performance with very little dialogue, a trend that is furthered by subsequent films. His acting relies more on facial expressions and short quips than on long speeches (“Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back”). This makes our hero feel mysterious and intense without veering into the territory of hyperbole. The supporting cast, including Ian McShane as Winston and Willem Dafoe as Marcus, helps build the strange but fascinating criminal underworld. The Continental Hotel, where assassins are forbidden to fight, is one of the most creative elements of the movie and adds depth to the setting. Though after the fourth film, I sadly cannot book my stay there.
The action of the film is another highlight to me. The fighting scenes, including my favorite, the flight in the nightclub, are designed and easy to follow, unlike many modern films that use more movement and points of view in the cameras and use fast cuts. The director used a wide array of shots and smooth camera movement so viewers can clearly see each move. These details make the action feel more realistic and controlled rather than chaotic and fake
On a visual note, “John Wick” uses mostly dark lighting, a lot of neon colors, and some nighttime cityscape lights to create various styles and serious moods. The soundtrack also supports the same tone as the film with a lot of electronic and dramatic music that builds tension during action scenes. Together, the visuals and sound design give the film a distinct identity that separates it from other revenge movies. The final act of the film, while requiring some suspension of disbelief, I myself find it quite satisfying.
Overall, “John Wick” succeeds because it combines emotional motivation, emphasizes strong visuals, and uses expertly choreographed action. It was a revival for film star Keanu Reeves sparked a franchise, with sequels, “John Wick: Chapter 2”, “John Wick: Parabellum”, and “John Wick: Chapter 4”, all of which don’t have a crazy time jump and follow the same foundation of the original film.