“John Wick” is Supremely Entertaining and Ultimately Forgettable

By Michael James Gonzalez

It’s clear that “The Matrix” trilogy instilled in Keanu Reeves a fascination with fantasy films containing martial arts and gunfire. “John Wick” is his latest action-adventure film in a string of similarly themed movies where the lead character must use extreme violence to carry out his goals. In “Wick,” Reeves plays a retired super hitman grieving the death of his wife, but when a cute puppy arrives at his door, he begins to feel better after learning that it’s the last parting gift from her. The respite from sorrow doesn’t last long, however, as the very son of Wick’s former employer-a top level Russian gangster-along with his henchman invade Wick’s home to steal his classic ’69 Mustang, killing Wick’s beloved dog while they’re at it. “It’s not what you did, son…but who you did it to,” says Viggo to his spoiled, psychopathic son before Wick embarks on a killing spree all over New York City that pins him against low-level gangsters and other high-level assassins hired to kill him as well. This is filmmakers David Leitch and Chad Stahelki’s directorial debut, and it’s an incredibly strong entrance into the big budget, Hollywood machine. The visuals are spectacular and the action sequences, both the fighting and the gunplay, are supremely entertaining. Derek Kolstad’s screenplay doesn’t escape the typical clichés of pulpy, B-movie, dialogue, but he succeeds in moving the story along at an enjoyable pace, as unbelievable as it may be. Keanu Reeves delivers a wooden performance, but despite this, his uniquely good looks and trademark verbal cadence make him somehow fashionably appropriate for this film. And veteran actor Michael Nyqvist is especially enjoyable as Viggo, making the character feel a little more grounded in reality as opposed the campy, silly version he could have been in the hands of a less capable actor. Watching “John Wick” on an IMAX screen makes the less than two hour running time feel like a thrill ride, but it’s not much more than that.

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