One of the best action films of the last decade

Rating: 8/10 (28 January 2017)

Did anyone expect this 2014 action thriller to be a success? The film took audiences and critics by storm with its exciting and tense action sequences, a strong leading performance by "The Matrix" star Keanu Reeves as well as a talented supporting cast, a simple yet memorable plot and masterful direction.
Keanu Reeves does what he does best in this smashing success: speak little dialogue and kick ass by shooting and killing the bad guys. Playing a former hit-man who is thrown back into the game after young punks kill his beloved puppy dog and steal his car, Reeves is on top of his game. The actor brings his own A-game to the part as he plays the title character as brooding, mysterious and intelligent all rolled into a lethal combination. Reeves' John Wick is a man on a mission and is prepared with a deadly arsenal of weaponry to dispatch his enemies.
The film also boasts a talented supporting cast particularly from Michael Nyqvist as Russian mob boss, Viggo, Ian McShane as Wick's former boss, Winston (the actor will reprise his role in the sequel) and Willem Dafoe as Wick's old friend and ally, Marcus. The actors all bring their unique flavors from Nyqvist being a quietly sinister villain who will take down Reeves's John Wick at any cost, McShane brings a worldly wisdom and silent ruthlessness to keep his prize assassin alive and Dafoe brings his snarky quips and loyal friendship to Marcus who is unwilling to kill his old friend which of course leads to trouble. You can never predict what action some of the characters will take or where their true loyalties lie, but it is thrilling to watch and wait for.
The actions sequences are relentless and fast-paced without resorting to shaky cam tactics. Guns fire, blood flies, fisticuffs ensue, the colors are dark and vibrant and the motions are all frenetic. The stunts are well choreographed as the actors move through fight scenes with almost snake-like slickness while the camera angles are wide enough for us to take in the action and relish all the excitement.