Film Review: John Wick (2014)

In the past three decades, we have had many opportunities to witness how Keanu Reeves possesses acting abilities akin to a Slavonian oak, but also how this does not necessarily mean much if he is under the right director and equipped with a suitable script. When these elements align, the results can be more than impressive, and thus Reeves has secured himself the status of a genuine Hollywood star, capable of drawing audiences into cinemas and providing them with far more entertainment than his much more talented, esteemed, and acclaimed colleagues. This is particularly evident when he takes on roles of characters who speak little but act a lot—individuals one would want by their side if a night out at a seedy bar goes awry. One such role, which helped build the stellar careers of Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson in their time, and which Liam Neeson has specialised in today, is the titular protagonist of the action film John Wick, an enormously successful hit from 2014 that has since spawned three sequels and a limited series, while defining Keanu Reeves' career in recent years.

The protagonist is a former New York professional assassin whose skills and success in carrying out the most complex and dangerous tasks allowed him the rare privilege of retiring to enjoy a comfortable life. However, at the very beginning of John Wick, he is not happy, as he is deeply affected by the tragic death of his wife, which is constantly reminded to him by her puppy. One evening, he encounters a group of thugs led by Iosef Tarasov (played by Alfie Allen), who, in their desperate attempt to get their hands on his Ford Mustang, break into his house, beat him up, steal his car, and kill his pet. This last act is the final straw for Wick, prompting him to embark on a vengeful quest using his old friends and connections from the criminal underworld. His rampage will not be halted even when he discovers that Iosef's father is none other than Viggo Tarasov (played by Michael Nyqvist), the all-powerful head of the Russian mafia who was Wick's main employer in his past life and whose blessing allowed him to retire. After attempts at a peaceful resolution fail, a bloody and spectacular conflict begins between the Tarasovs and Wick; while Wick attacks Viggo's men like an unstoppable killing machine searching for Iosef, Viggo places an exorbitantly high bounty on Wick's head in an effort to stop him, attracting New York's most efficient and unscrupulous hitmen.

During production, it turned out that not only was it fortunate that Reeves was cast in the lead role—which seems tailor-made for him—but also that directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch were chosen (the latter's name was omitted for procedural reasons). The two had closely collaborated with Reeves on The Matrix, which was then his most successful film. Their rich experience is reflected in a series of exceptionally effective and impressive action scenes that do not appear dull or monotonous despite Reeves' character being typecast to emerge victorious from every confrontation due to his lethal skills.

The screenplay by Derek Kolstad also significantly contributes to John Wick, originally conceived for an older actor but functioning perfectly nonetheless—largely thanks to its reliance on the heritage of 1960s cinema, particularly spaghetti westerns and classic gangster films by Jean-Pierre Melville. Kolstad not only created a striking character who is emotionally vulnerable enough to be accepted as a hero despite his physical superiority but also placed him in a fictional yet occasionally fascinating world. Its most intriguing detail is The Continental Hotel, which served as one of the inspirations for Hotel Artemis, a much inferior film with a similar premise, and was itself used as subject for the 2023 limited series The Continental.

The film benefits from a diverse yet well-cast ensemble. This includes Alfie Allen, who seems to enjoy taking a break from portraying unfortunate Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, but even more so the late Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist, who plays the role of the Russian mob boss without any stereotypes—thanks to whom we can easily forget similar portrayals by Rade Šerbedžija. Although John Wick begins to yield to inevitable clichés and predictability towards its bloody finale, it stands as perhaps not the best but certainly one of the most justifiably successful action films of our time.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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