Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Chad Stahelski, Roadshow Films, MA 101 Minutes.
In New York young thugs need to be careful when they pick on or steal a car or a dog, from the notorious John Wick especially if that person is a lethal hit-man for the mob.
Such is the case in director Chad Stahelski’s gripping first feature film as TV viewers get introduced to ‘The Matrix’ star Keanu Reeves playing the cool but calculating title character in this entertaining action thriller.
When the movie opens Wick appears as a grieving husband at his wife’s funeral following her untimely death from a fatal illness, leaving him with a puppy (a parting gift from wife Helen) and his Mustang vehicle.
But his healing process is abruptly interrupted when young Russian ruffian Joseph (Alfie Allen – TV’s Game of Thrones) and his cronies carry out a brutal invasion of his home, killing the dog and stealing his car.
As the rebellious son of Russian mafia boss Viggo (Michael Nyqvist – ‘Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol’), Joseph is oblivious to hit-man Wick having previously worked for Viggo as an assassin and is definitely one person you don’t upset – let alone kill his dog.
In berating his son Viggo tells Joseph how Wick earlier disposed of three men with just a pencil and is sure he will come after him.
To ensure his son’s safety Viggo places a bounty on Wick’s head, offering two expert assassins – Marcus (Willem Dafoe – ‘Spiderman’) and the seductive Ms.
Perkins (‘Red Dawn’s Adriannne Palicki) – a lucrative amount to kill him.
Once the battle lines are drawn – up, Wick embarks on a collision course against Joseph and his thugs with the ensuing scenes showing a series of action-packed gun fights that ultimately will determine the last man standing.
In what must be one of his best performances since ‘The Matrix’ Reeves is more than an avenging angel as he dishes out the deadly justice to those who have done him wrong.
The other performance worth noting is the late Swedish actor Nyqvist as the Russian mafia boss whose acting career had risen sharply since his enjoyable role in ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ trilogy.
In spite of some violent scenes, ‘John Wick’ sees the welcome return of Reeves in an action role that is both intense as it is entertaining.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
JOHN WICK is to be televised on Channel 9GO at 8.45pm on Saturday 23 October.
