Silly, Brainless, But Fun (Spoilers)

Rating: 5/10 (28 April 2015)

This is a very silly film, redeemed by the fact that it appears to glory in its ludicrousness.
Keanu Reeves takes a very fine Italian suit on a number of increasingly violent adventures to avenge his...um...puppy. A former enforcer for the Russian Mob he is feared as 'Baba Yaga', which we are told again and again is 'The Boogeyman'. That anyone remotely aware of folklore can tell you that Baba ISN'T the Boogeyman is the least of this film's narrative flaws: the Curious Incident Of The Kevlar Vest That Vanished In The Night is a fairly major plot-goof.
That it works is down to Reeves's deadpan delivery of some preposterous dialogue, the playful use of supporting actors: Ian McShane, Clarke Peters and Lance Reddick are very amusing. More could be made of Michael Nyqvist, and Alfie Allen seems to be destined for a career playing a succession of disappointing sons.
Also, if you like shoot-'em-ups this is very much your film - or franchise, I should say: the producers intentions in that regard are very clear long before the credits roll. Reeves offs a ludicrous number of baddies - I literally lost count in the mid-50s - while having only one of their weapons come anywhere near him..and only THEN because that Kevlar vest I mentioned seems to have inexplicably evaporated between scenes!
As I say, very silly indeed...but fun if you are amused by cartoon violence.