Why John Wick is great
This isn't the regular review you would see on this page - instead I want to take the time to talk about a personal favorite film and why I think it is such a good film. I can understand why some people may not like films like this, however in these posts I wish to just talk about why I like or dislike this film and hopefully in the future other films. Spoilers ahead ( but seriously its been 6 years ! )
Picture the scene: It's 2014, action films are all the rage in the cinemas at the moment, with the Marvel films on the rise and every other release being a fast paced thriller filled with 12 rated violence which people can barley understand. The Bourne films and the Taken franchise are what seems to fill the non-comic book action franchise and its safe to say their quality was dropping. Enter John Wick.
Among first viewing I did admit I was wrong - it was good, however on rewatch and rewatch I keep coming back to it in awe and admiring all the stylish action that it has to offer until now I consider it one of my favorite films.
What makes it so great though? For starters the action is understandable. I love the way the action looks in the film, its one of the stand out features, the almost dance like choreography of what is being presented is immense to watch, and Keanu plays this legendry hitman so well you feel his punches and bullets through the scene.
Next: the simplicity. It is nice to see an action film take such a simple story and roll with it so well, when films like Transformers tend to take overly complex story and lose the audience on something that shiuld be so simple. John Wick - has car stolen - dog killed - wants revenge. It doesnt get more complex than that because it doesnt need to - its afilm that doesnt trick you into needing to think too much, just to appreciate the action you are watching, and to make such a small story so intersting and wrangle so much emotion from it.
Characters: every character in this film has purpose by the end of the film. John Wick is this menacing man which no one truly understands until you run into Viggo Tarasov and his son - whose fear is enough for us to understand the true nature of this character. Its the same with Aurellio the dealer - their reaction to that name, the fear in their face is all we need to know that you don't mess with this guy and his revenge is going to be hard hitting. Next you've got Miss Perkins and Marcus - both there to explain the deadly nature of the world which is being created, run by Winston, who acts as this middle man between the audience and the world, slowly revealling what they need to know, and the fact it is all so subtle is what really stands out to you.
Lastly: the world building. The movie doesnt stop to explain what world you have been thrown into - and for that I applaud it. when movies slow down to try and exlpain what is going on it becomes so disruptive to the narrative and in the end more confusing. I love it when your presented with this outlandish world and the movie wants you to just roll with it. John Wick does just that, presenting you with the master hitman in a underground world of assasins, and not slowing down to tell you what this world is all about - just that it is there.
I think all these things combines make such an intersting story that is so realistic yet so outlandish in nature - its what films of this genre are supposed to be, visually stunning, emotionally captivating and easy to follow - jam too much in and get it wrong and you completely lose the audience. While I do think the sequels are also good movies this is the one that really stands out for me and if you haven't watched it I recommend you do.
Image and subject to Summit Entertainment - I do not own this image.
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