The Return of the Action Flick

Rating: 8/10 (22 November 2014)

There is a scene in "John Wick" – the new shoot-em-up starring Keanu Reeves – in which the hero is about to be "interrogated" by the bad guys in true Jack Bauer fashion. Viggo Tarasov, the sinister Russian crime boss and Wick's former employer - played by Michael Nyqvist - takes the moment to sermonize. "People don't change," he says to Wick. "Times do."
Keanu Reeves used to be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood following the success of The Matrix, but afterwards, he never recaptured that superstar persona, despite his attempts at kitschy roles like the ones he played in "47 Ronin" or "Constantine."
But Viggo was right, people don't change, and this film signals Keanu Reeves' return to the role of ass-kicking leading man that we first experienced in "Speed" and loved in "The Matrix," and time has tempered him into a stronger and grittier action-star than he was 15 years ago.
Reeves' character John Wick is one that we all know, the veteran hit man who is reluctantly pulled back into his past life to bloodily take revenge on all those who've wronged him. This film is essentially an assassin film with a fresh coat of paint. But although it's been done to death, I never had a chance to get bored, as the gripping pace and beautiful cinematography will keep you invested.
John's wife dies early-on, but from cancer, not bullets. Wick is initially a grieving husband, and Reeves' emotionless stare is actually put to good use. The only company he keeps is a small puppy – his wife's last gift to him. When Russian criminals follow him home one day to steal his car – a sleek 69' Mustang – the dog is viciously silenced as Wick lay stunned on the ground.
The men were members of the Russian crime syndicate, led by Viggo's hot-headed son Iosef (Alfie Allen), thinking Wick an ordinary man. But he was actually a hit man for Viggo before he retired, and was so successful that he was nicknamed "Baba Yaga" or The Boogeyman, the storybook embodiment of vengeance that punishes those who misbehave.
Like the storybook character, Wick is an unstoppable force of nature, and the film follows him from gunfight to gunfight, chasing Iosef and gunning down subordinates while the Russians try to escape.
This is an astonishing film for a directorial debut. David Leich and Chad Stahelski are both prolific stunt men – and they know how to film an action scene. The choreography strikes just the right balance between acrobatics and brutality, with scenes that smacked of 2006's "Casino Royale," when the dapper Bond was re-invigorated with the frenetic energy of an action hero.
The film may appeal more to that side of you that claps and squeals excitedly at explosions and loud noises, but there is enough character and personality here to justify a brief excursion into the land of campy blockbusters.
Wick's mentor Marcus is played by a grizzled Willem Dafoe, and the owner of the Continental Hotel – an establishment that caters specifically to hit men – is played by Ian McShane. Even John Leguizamo puts in an intense yet brief performance as Aureilo, the owner of a chop-shop where the Russians take Wick's car.
Everyone works for the Russians, so when Wick returns to the biz to exact his revenge, everyone knows him and continually ask him if he's back. It's funny, and the running dialogue refers to not only John Wick, but also to Reeves.
And it must be said that whatever the film lacks in depth, it makes up for in coolness.
Wick drives not just one sexy muscle car, but three. He alternates between wearing the "Rebel without a Cause" leather/T-shirt combo and the tailored suits of a professional killer. The music also alternates between groovy guitar riffs with rock overtones to deafening dance music with pounding pace-setting percussion. And the fisticuffs on display will have home viewers pausing and rewinding often to catch every crunch, twist, and snap. This is a film to be seen in IMAX.
Late in the film, Wick escapes one hair-raising situation with a shower of bullets and attitude (spoilers I know), and is once again asked by a former associate if he's back in the game, while he stands, covered in gore and glory. "Yeah," he says. "I'm thinking I'm back."
Well Mr. Reeves, I think so too. Welcome back.