cool idea, but lead miscast

Rating: 7/10 (29 June 2015)

Liam Neeson must have been busy, so the director got Keanu Reeves to take his place. Problem is Reeves isn't known for playing this type of character and took away something from the film.
However, since the film has got a cool plot to it, it's still pretty good even with Reeves as the lead. Reeves plays John Wick, the deadliest hit-man ever, that just so happens to be retired because he fell in love. Well, his wife died and left him a puppy. He encounters some punk Russian kid that wants his ride. Later the kid shows up, takes the ride, kills the dog, and beats up John. Well, he messed with the wrong guy. It just so happens the kid's mob dad was the guy John used to work for and now he wants revenge.
What's cool in the movie is the whole hit-man code speech, the Continental hotel (where one doesn't do business), paying with these gold coins, and making a dinner reservation. The ending is where the film falls apart and just becomes another action flick with the "hero" out to get the final bad guy. It was rather silly, but the first 80 minutes was really good.
FINAL VERDICT: Check it out, good story for action fans.