Movies JOHN WICK Official Thread (Dragonlord's Review)

[chaney2363]

Update: October 26, 2014

Critics Reviews for JOHN WICK

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% Approval Rating (92 out of 107 critics like it)

Consensus: Stylish, thrilling, and giddily kinetic, John Wick serves as a satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves -- and what looks like it could be the first of a franchise.

Los Angeles Times - Good
As weaponized mayhem of the most disreputably electrifying kind, the sleek and eccentric revenge tale "John Wick" jabs far above its weight class thanks to the panther physicality of 50-year-old headliner Keanu Reeves and a tightly pitched mix of humor and expertly choreographed hyper-violence from writer Derek Kolstad and first-time director Chad Stahelski. It's a B movie made with A-student love for the relentless thrill of bodies in brutal motion.


New York Daily News - 3/5
In some ways this actioner is a flesh-and-blood version of a first-person-shooter video game. Guy stalks, fires gun, scores. Guy gets shot, gets up to fight again

 

[Orgasmo]

pssst. A corny, generic, formula movie. Pass.

Probably one of those hipsters that criticize how Arnold movies aren't Oscar worthy. Pass.

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

Update: November 2, 2014

Dragonlord's Review of JOHN WICK (No Spoilers)

Bottom Line: Keanu Reeves returns triumphantly to the action genre in this lean, stylish, revenge thriller brimming with slick action choreography, precise balletic gunplay and a rich, enthralling criminal underworld the characters inhabit in.

This simple revenge tale about a retired hitman (Keanu Reeves) going on a bloody warpath after Russian mobsters killed his dog, a parting gift from his dying wife, would have been your typical humdrum B-movie schlock but in the hands of directors and famed stunt coordinators David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, John Wick is transformed into the year's most surprisingly wickedly bad-ass action flick. After a marked absence from the genre, Reeves is in excellent form and the character fits perfectly with his reticent demeanor.

The action is a nice mix of martial arts and gunplay - you have the grace of martial arts, but then the bang of the gun. It's a great throwback to John Woo's signature gun-fu combat. Praise goes to the filmmakers for wanting to do long takes, not a lot of cuts and have the action happen in front of you. With a steady blend of gun-fu, judo, jiu-jitsu and, even introducing a new combat style, gun-drifting, Leitch and Stahelski expertly deliver one action highlight after another in a near-nonstop thrill ride.

The film's criminal underworld is so layered and colorful and governed with their own unique set of rules and codes. Services are paid in gold coins, eerily reminiscent of the Hades ferryman from Greek mythology. New York's Continental Hotel provides safe haven for assassins with the rule that no business can be conducted on premises. A big part of the charm in John Wick is the eclectic supporting cast and spotting some of the recognizable actors in small but distinguishable roles. Alfie Allen, who plays a simpering, spoiled brat, is as despicable here as he is in Game of Thrones. Adrianne Palicki plays a sexy contract killer and provides a good case why the actress should headline a solo action movie.

One of the glaring misfires is the soundtrack. Some of the techno music used was not catchy enough and lowers the quality of the action scenes a few notches. But the inclusion of KALEIDA's "Think" in the club scene was just sublime. "People keep asking if I'm back - yeah, I'm thinking I'm back," Wick at one point says. And coupled with the action drama John Rain TV series on the way, Reeves certainly is back with a vengeance.

Rating: 8/10

 

[KreamPuff]

I enjoyed how at least in the first half the villains were the sane reasonable fellows while Keanu acted like the psychopath

 

[dissolved]

Keanu's fantastic at 50, the fight scenes were incredible. Definitely cheesy apart from that but that was to be expected to a point anyway. Might consider going to watch it again depending on how stellar Interstellar is.

Agreed with about everything you said. Not going to see Interstellar though. But I may end up watching this again in the theatre (probably the cheap theatre when it gets there mind you, but it's actually quite a nice one near where I live).

 

[fingercuffs]

Agreed with about everything you said. Not going to see Interstellar though. But I may end up watching this again in the theatre (probably the cheap theatre when it gets there mind you, but it's actually quite a nice one near where I live).

I even liked how crisp all the guns sounded, which I know probably sounds like a tiny detail to admire but it helped with the action.

Spoiler

I also was really happy that they didn't do the cliche bit with the female baddy where she goes after him and he nearly dies, blah blah blah but they just shot her. That left room for the uber cliche he and the dad to do the "no guns, just us" bit in the end, haha. Oh and I was really expecting me to be reaching for a tissue when I heard about the dog being killed so I'm glad they didn't stretch that out.

Wasn't expecting fantastic acting or anything, sometimes you just want an all out action film and it totally delivered in that respect.

 

[dissolved]

I even liked how crisp all the guns sounded, which I know probably sounds like a tiny detail to admire but it helped with the action.

Spoiler

I also was really happy that they didn't do the cliche bit with the female baddy where she goes after him and he nearly dies, blah blah blah but they just shot her. That left room for the uber cliche he and the dad to do the "no guns, just us" bit in the end, haha. Oh and I was really expecting me to be reaching for a tissue when I heard about the dog being killed so I'm glad they didn't stretch that out.

Wasn't expecting fantastic acting or anything, sometimes you just want an all out action film and it totally delivered in that respect.

Funny, I forgot about

Spoiler

the female baddy and her demise. I actually thought she was going to kill them and gut that elite membership. On looking back her character was a bit of a red herring. It did, like you say, open the door for the ultra cliche ending (a Russian no less).

 

[Peteyandjia]

John Wick felt like a movie directed by a guy named Chad.

Sure enough.

 

[dissolved]

Update: November 2, 2014

Dragonlord's Review of JOHN WICK (No Spoilers)

Bottom Line: Keanu Reeves returns triumphantly to the action genre in this lean, stylish, revenge thriller brimming with slick action choreography, precise balletic gunplay and a rich, enthralling criminal underworld the characters inhabit in.

This simple revenge tale about a retired hitman (Keanu Reeves) going on a bloody warpath after Russian mobsters killed his dog would have been your typical humdrum B-movie schlock but in the hands of directors and famed stunt coordinators David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, John Wick is transformed into the year's most surprisingly wickedly bad-ass action flick. After a marked absence from the genre, Reeves is in excellent form and the character fits perfectly with his reticent demeanor.

The action is a nice mix of martial arts and gunplay

 

[fingercuffs]

I quite liked some Marilyn Manson actually, but I'd not been a fan in a while and I'm looking forward to the new album.

 

[dissolved]

I quite liked some Marilyn Manson actually, but I'd not been a fan in a while and I'm looking forward to the new album.

I didn't mind Manson's songs/the majority of the soundtrack. For me (as mentioned) the main miss was in the warehouse with the son's . . . you know . . . that battle. It sort of sounded like Jane's Addiction but something I didn't recognize nor was I paying attention other than it was a weird choice for that part.

 

[fingercuffs]

I didn't mind Manson's songs/the majority of the soundtrack. For me (as mentioned) the main miss was in the warehouse with the son's . . . you know . . . that battle. It sort of sounded like Jane's Addiction but something I didn't recognize nor was I paying attention other than it was a weird choice for that part.

I can't remember the warehouse track, I'll have to wait for the DVD now I guess.

 

[ufcfan4]

I saw John Wick. Awesome movie. I definitely recommend it to you guys who enjoy badass action movies or revenge fantasy films. This is really exactly the type of role Keanu should be playing and I hope he gets more studio roles (which he said he was trying to get) on the basis of this because he is ideal in this film.

Interestingly enough, he emotes more than I think I've seen him do in most other movies despite the fact that this is basically fifteen minutes of setup and plot exposition before 90 minutes of action. There are some pretty creative plot elements and the action is relentless and impressive.

Also, if you thought Theon Greyjoy was a punkass daddy's boy on Game of Thrones, wait till you see Alfie Allen's character in this...

 

[dissolved]

I watched again in an expensive theatre - I'm an idiot lol. I think I enjoyed it more the 2nd time around. 8 - 8.5/10.

So glad Keanu's still around. Guy's a gem that disappears and then resurrects in epic roles.

I will say, I did notice his lack of eyelashes more than ever though. Minor point I know.

 

[fingercuffs]

I'm really glad he's still around too, people give him crap for his lack of acting skills but I've liked him in pretty much everything I've seen apart from the obviously OTT Speed movies.

 

[dissolved]

I'm really glad he's still around too, people give him crap for his lack of acting skills but I've liked him in pretty much everything I've seen apart from the obviously OTT Speed movies.

I've never understood his critics . . . I mean he just has that surfer sound/flare. It's an accent thing. I've never once thought he was a crappy actor for it. To be honest, to me it's a similar criticism of Nick Cage with Nick's voice (though I do like Keanu much better).

 

[ironchefigor]

I'm really glad he's still around too, people give him crap for his lack of acting skills but I've liked him in pretty much everything I've seen apart from the obviously OTT Speed movies.

WAT?!?!

Speed is one of his best movies.

 

[dissolved]

WAT?!?!

Speed is one of his best movies.

Actually I'll ditto this for Speed 1 . . . Though I haven't seen it in absolute ages so don't know how it's held up. But I liked it a lot when it came out.

 

[Dragonlordxxxxx]

For those that love John Wick, you might be interested to know that Keanu is going to star in his first major TV series, John Rain. He plays a half-Japanese, half-American assassin. His John Wick directors will co-executive produce.

John Rain TV Series Starring Keanu Reeves

 

[Fedorgasm]

Wow is this really about a man avenging his dog? I can enjoy a guilty-pleasure revenge flick but that's just stupid. Don't think I'll be watching.