 It's funny to think about, but I almost can't believe a movie like this went right over my head upon its initial release. If I'm being honest, this is one of those movies that holds a lot of what I'm a sucker for within it. Though I probably wouldn't call it a personal favourite, it remains very much "up my alley." When people started comparing it to 'John Wick' and mentioned Bob Odenkirk as the lead, it was easy for me to be sold on it, albeit a little late on the uptake. I ended up renting it, digitally, thanks to Covid.
Going back to what I'm a sucker for within this film, I love a one-person army movie, a revenge flick, a movie where the hero doesn't have to be muscle-bound, something a bit gritty, yet a bit funny all at once, and a movie where the lead character is relatable in a much more humanistic way, like John Wick losing his dog. This is a film that piggybacks on the success of 'John Wick,' but manages to be its own thing. I was also fresh off of watching 'Better Call Saul' before checking this out, so Odenkirk was someone I already knew I liked, and I couldn't wait to see him get into the action side of things more. Hutch Mansell (Odenkirk) lives a seemingly basic life with an average office job at a metal fabrication company. He resides in suburbia with his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), their teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe), and their younger daughter, Abby (Paisley Cadorath). As the everyday grind begins to grow irritating, his frustration intensifies. One night, two burglars break into their house and try to rob them at gunpoint. Hutch actually lets the perps go, and with that, word spreads about his actions despite his feelings that he made the right decision - primarily based on what he could have done to them. The next day, Hutch becomes the subject of ridicule from several people, including his son, brother-in-law Charlie (Billy MacLellan), and neighbour Jim (Paul Essiembre). Upon coming home from work, Abby mentions that she can't find her kitty cat bracelet, which triggers Hutch to snap, knowing the burglars have taken it. Things escalate quickly, and soon, his rampage leads him to brutally injure the brother of a notorious Russian mob boss, Yulian Kuznetsov (Aleksey Serebryakov), without knowing who he is. As we all know, this never goes over well, and Hutch finds himself fighting more than he bargained for. This movie is like a combination of 'John Wick' and 'Falling Down' with all their best features. I love me a good revenge film, especially if it involves the "straw that broke the camel's back" situation. Here, it's a kitty cat bracelet that parallels something a bit more like 'John Wick.' However, elements of 'Falling Down,' namely the idea of a bad day for the wrong type of person, are present here as well. All in all, it's a great movie to watch and take out your frustrations on the world safely, much like playing a heavy-duty 3D shooter. It's another good title to throw on when you've had a bad day. With more to enjoy about this movie, I'd be hard-pressed not to mention some of the side characters. Hutch's father, David (played by Christopher Lloyd), and his half-brother, Harry (played by RZA), end up being solid standouts throughout the film, especially when it's clear that Christopher Lloyd had a blast in this role, and his performance adds a healthy dose of comedy to the entire experience. Also, making a cameo appearance here is Michael Ironside as Hutch's father-in-law. Although Llyod stands out among others for me, personally, it should be known that they're all pretty damn likable side characters, and their relationships with Hutch make you want to root for him more. If you were ever a fan of 'Better Call Saul' (or enjoyed the character in 'Breaking Bad'), and you want a good revenge film much along the lines of 'John Wick', then this is the movie for you. I had a great deal of fun with it, and it ended up being one of my personal favourites that year, once again covering almost everything I love to see in a solid action movie. This is a title well worth watching if you're looking for a solid revenge action flick with a bit more substance, and it comes highly recommended by yours truly for those bad days we all experience from time to time. Just promise not to copy what you see on the screen. 5/5
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 In 1994, we reached the end of the line for the 'Naked Gun' series, and as far as it goes about how I've previously mentioned that these films haven't necessarily aged too well, I think it's safe to say that '33 1/3' is probably the top culprit. We'll get more into it, as there are various reasons, but I would personally still say a lot of the good humour that made the first two movies so fun is still here - it just happens to contain a few cringy things about it, and to begin with, we can look at the elephant in the room.
I mentioned his presence, feeling a bit awkward in my 'Naked Gun' review, but O.J. Simpson returns as Nordberg, playing the role just as silly, as at this point, Nordberg is well-known as the bumbling partner filled with awe at all things, almost as though the Police Squad hired a man-child. Things were going pretty well for the man, but while this film premiered on March 18, 1994, it cuts very close to the O.J. Simpson case, beginning the following June. With that, there was a significant overlap between the trial and this film's run on video rentals, with several of us watching O.J. on-screen and reflecting on how heavy it had all become with him. On the brighter side of things, however, let's get into the overall basic plot of this one. I've mentioned how we're always here more for the gags than the plot, so in many ways, I feel that the more basic, the better for something like this. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is now retired from the Police Squad, allowing him to spend his time with his beloved wife, Jane (Priscilla Presley). However, Frank finds himself bored, and behind Jane's back, he jumps at an opportunity brought to him by his former Captain, Ed Hocken (George Kennedy), and Nordberg, involving a terrorist bomber named Rocco Dillon (Fred Ward). Dillon, currently incarcerated, has been hired, along with his Mother (Kathleen Freeman), by terrorists to cause mayhem on a grand scale by bombing an American event that the whole world will have its eyes on. To discover the plans for the bombing, Frank goes undercover as a prisoner, befriends Rocco within the prison, and soon finds himself in much deeper than he intended, especially with the likes of Rocco's girlfriend, Tanya (the late Anna Nicole Smith), whom Frank remembers from a previous investigation. So, basically, this one is just a matter of "stop the terrorist bombing before it happens," and the whole thing is punctuated by all of the good humour that makes these movies good. However, this one has the most offensive joke, done in true 'Ace Ventura' style (also released in 1994), representing a time it seemed to be okay to be transphobic. 1994 was an interesting year for comedy. Things needed to be edgier, but they often went over that edge, and where I used to laugh out loud, I now cringe, knowing what it'll mean to other people out there. Aside from that particular gag and the O.J. case with its overlap, it's safe to say that most of the rest of it is silly, fun, good humour as per usual. The only real problem with it, in my eyes (aside from the trans gag, which no longer holds weight), is that it hasn't aged well due to these sorts of "big deal" things. It's weird watching and enjoying O.J.'s performance in all of these, but this one's timing has always been cut too close. I can still remember watching this on video with the people around me discussing O.J. and Nicole at the time. After having said all that, I offer it as a fair warning. There are certain things that no longer fly, and that dates movies like this, plain and simple. I'm not out to "cancel" something that's simply a product of its time, because that's not my place. Filmmakers learn from these experiences, grow, and life goes on, thankfully providing us with a whole new 'Naked Gun' movie that I have nothing but praise for. If you decide to go through these original three, however, I say keep in mind that some things might not be "up to snuff," as it were. 3/5  The 'Naked Gun' series continues with its wacky antics, even going so far as to make the title a bit of a gag. Evidently, the world wanted more of that good old "Dad Joke" humour, as was so very well displayed in the preceding film, and 'Naked Gun 2 1/2' manages to deliver with a good, comparable dose of everything that makes 'Naked Gun' so much fun. This one gets a touch more complicated as far as the plot goes, but with these titles, we must always keep in mind that the plot takes a back seat.
This one is probably the title in the series I remember most fondly, and when we had it recorded from TV, I briefly used it as one of those "sick day" movies when I was home from school. While everyone else's white-haired companion for that time was Bob Barker, I would have sooner tuned in to Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) of Police Squad, among a whole bunch of others I had set aside to cheer me up while I was feeling down. So while it may not manage to be considered "best of the series," it holds a special place in my heart. One Dr. Albert Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths) convinces President George H. W Bush (John Roarke) to base America's energy policy on renewable energy, thus upsetting various heads of coal, oil and nuclear energy. After a bombing associated with the situation, Drebin enters the scene to investigate and reunites with his old flame, Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). However, she is now dating a Hexagon Oil exec by the name of Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet), whom Drebin also meets and becomes quite jealous of. Hapsberg plans to modify Dr. Meinheimer's upcoming speech on renewable energy to highlight the benefits of fossil fuels. To pull it off, the plan is to switch out the real Meinheimer for a dead-ringing look-alike named Earl Hacker, while Meinheimer is thrown into an abandoned warehouse by Hapsberg's thugs. In the meantime, while Frank works on the case of the Missing Meinheimer, he also rekindles that flame for Jane Spencer, who, while working for Meinheimer, might be able to help Frank with the case. In case you're looking for them, Ed Hocken (George Kennedy) and Nordberg (O.J. Simpson) also return for more shenanigans, but they do take a bit of a back seat to the love story involving Frank and Jane. Having said that, however, the love story is done with the same tremendous sense of humour the first film had, and it's never something that turns boring or very cliché. They know we're here for laughs, and the laughs are thankfully delivered, in my opinion, just as much as the first. Much like I mentioned with the first film, there may be a thing or two here that just haven't aged well, be it for how offensive it may be, or moreso in 'Naked Gun 2 1/2's case, being composed of jokes and gags the kids might not find so great anymore. One has to admit that the 'Naked Gun' movies are a product of their time; they're still funny to people my age, but their humour comes almost exclusively from the Vault of Cheese. While it's hilarious, it's also stupid and meant to be silly. If you ask me, they're all still miles more entertaining than anything Friedberg and Seltzer ever came up with. I am, however, from a different generation and middle-aged, so I can definitely appreciate how off-the-wall these movies are. And again, while this may not be a constant I go back to, particularly, this chapter of 'Naked Gun' holds a place within my fondest memories, and it was the one I used to want to show all my friends. I think it could be considered just as good as the first, and makes for another fantastic opportunity to throw that brain of yours out the window and enjoy a laugh or two and a half. 4/5  It's unfortunate, but over the past decade plus, the concept of this kind of satirical movie has been run into the ground with the terrible, what I refer to as, 'Movie' movies ('Epic Movie,' 'Disaster Movie' etc) and other very low-brow takes that often show off more of a toilet humour/violent slapstick narrative than clever humour with small side of those things. For that, we have to go back in time to where the more silly "Dad jokes" were in a movie, the funnier it was, with very little need to be raunchy.
Having said that, however, this series hasn't aged well in other ways, much like most 80s and 90s comedy, which often features a few controversial gags and jokes. However, nothing stands out more nowadays than the almost unfortunately hilarious performance by none other than O.J. Simpson as Detective Nordberg. The viewer has to constantly remind themselves that the whole trial that took over the mid-90s is still a few years off (although '33 1/3' was released just months before the Bronco chase). After the now-famous opening credit sequence (the police siren literally chewing up the scenery as it drives through people's lives with the odd movie parody), the film opens with Nordberg on a heroin-busting mission, sneaking onto drug lord Vincent Ludwig's (Ricardo Montalban) houseboat, complete with dark clothing, gloves, and a beanie. Ludwig's henchmen shoot Nordberg, and Police Squad Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) gets briefed on the situation involving his friend by his Captain, Ed Hocken (George Kennedy). Drebin further learns that the surviving Nordberg's jacket tests positive for the presence of heroin. Meanwhile, Police Squad gets put in charge of security for the upcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth II (Jeannette Charles). Drebin has 24 hours to clear Nordberg, lest the case detracts from the Queen's visit. As he searches for the real culprits of the drug trafficking and attempted assassination of Nordberg, he meets the lovely Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley), assistant to Ludwig, and falls in love. However, he also unravels a plot to assassinate the Queen upon her upcoming visit. While there's enough of a plot to follow throughout the film, much like it is with other comedies in this satirical category, the laughs feel considerably more critical, and the overall story takes a back seat. This movie comes to us from a six-episode run show called 'Police Squad,' (which I highly recommend if you enjoy these films) which is something that clearly establishes that a plot for this kind of thing is a little more basic than most cop features, and feature less of a true mystery, as it distracts from the many laughs we came to have. In this day and age, many jokes and gags fall under the "Dad joke" category, so it's uncertain whether kids today would appreciate them as much as my generation did. The edge to this is dull by today's standards, and again, we see O.J. Simpson in a very different light now than we did back then, when he was simply a solid running back with a sense of humour. There's just something so awkward about enjoying his performance here now, and it's a primary example of needing to separate the art from the artist. At the very least, bear in mind that what really makes these movies work is Leslie Nielsen. At the end of the day, it's that concept of bringing an otherwise serious actor in to do comedy, which is precisely why Liam Neeson was such a solid choice for the latest 2025 movie, following in Nielsen's footsteps almost perfectly. His performance, along with several corny jokes and gags, is enough to make one appreciate that sometimes a little stupidity done on purpose can go a long way in delivering a solid comedy. This is at least partly responsible for my love of random humour. It's further proof that sometimes throwing our brains out the window for a laugh feels just right. 4/5  This might bother a lot of the fans, but from my perspective, 'Chapter 4' marks that particular point in time where John Wick began to feel like a farce of itself. Don't twist that to mean more than it does, though, as it all boils down to Keanu's acting and delivery of his one-liners, and there's even a slight comedic aspect when it comes to the action sequences at this point. 'Chapter 4' is a film that's made fun by how over the top it is, but in the best, most expectant way - we WANT it to be fun and over the top at this point.
At this point, let's keep it simple. One day, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) loses his puppy, a gift from his late wife, at the hands of the son of a Russian mob boss, triggering John to kick it into high gear and go full revenge mode. By the beginning of 'Chapter 2,' said revenge is ultimately successful, but John is pulled back into work, owing a blood oath. John ends up breaking the rules of his sanctuary, the Continental Hotel, an underground neutral zone, and 'Chapter 3' has John playing a game of ultimate survival, as the whole world ends up after him, and the $14 Million bounty on his head. The third film ends with a cliffhanger involving John joining forces with The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), someone who has recently helped John out with the weaponry he needed and who also has a grudge against the High Table, a council of twelve important crime bosses, who are at the top and conduct their business through the neutral grounds of the Continental Hotel chain. Over time, John has found his place in the criminal underworld to be inescapable, and as a result, he is ready for all-out war with the high table if it means regaining some semblance of a normal life. At the risk of saying too much, the film opens with John seeking out the Elder (George Georgiou), the "one who sits above the Table," with the belief that this will ultimately mean cutting the head off the snake that is The High Table. It further demonstrates John's fearlessness and serves as an intimidation tactic to those who seek him out at the High Table. It doesn't work, however, as the High Table sends the Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) and whatever he needs to complete the task of killing John. Things start to get a little wilder here than ever before, as the Marquis takes his position with an abusive stance, stripping Winston (Ian McShane) and Charon (Lance Reddick) of their positions at the New York Continental and bringing in a retired assassin, and old friend of Johns named Caine (Donnie Yen) who is considered among the best - even as a blind guy. To motivate him, the Marquis threatens his daughter's life. John's battle for survival and to be done with the High Table once and for all ultimately leads him to a dual that will sell his fate, one way or another. To be clear, this is a series of high-octane action movies, each one doing something a little different, that doesn't have much of a weak point throughout its execution. If there ever was one, I might claim it to be this particular chapter, but at the same time, and as mentioned before, for as cheesy and almost ridiculous as this movie gets, there's something about it all the audiences are eating up at this point. It's all great, popcorn action, but in the best way possible, and surprisingly, never the same thing, time and time again. The 'John Wick movies are one of two examples I can think of in which it has a four-movie count, and every single movie within it is fantastic in its own right. The other is 'Toy Story,' but obviously for very different reasons. The 'John Wick series finds itself unquestionably among the most incredible action series of all time, offering up just about anything an action movie junky could want, ranging from high-octane gun fights to martial arts to car chases to using swords to fighting using the environment to kick-ass one-liners to killer explosions; the list just keeps going. These movies are, in my books, action movie perfection! 5/5  Once again, I'll start by reminding everyone that this is part of a singular story unfolding in four films, each one a different chapter. So, with that said, to give some half-decent insight on 'Chapter 3' here, I'm gonna get into spoiler territory when it comes to how 'Chapter 2' ends. So, if you're not interested in knowing anything you might not want to, feel free to skip down to my rating. For everyone else, allow me to provide a brief recap of what's happened so far, all stemming from John Wick (Keanu Reeves) seeking revenge.
John's revenge begins when a Russian mob boss's kid shoots and kills John's puppy and steals his car. The puppy, it is important to note, was the last gift he received from his late wife before she succumbed to a terminal illness. John succeeds in his vengeance and takes down a Russian mob boss in the process. Still, in his attempt to return to a retired lifestyle, he is disrupted by a reminder of a blood oath he has yet to fulfill, which will ultimately ruffle the feathers of the Continental Hotel and the High Table, a council of twelve underworld authority figures who represent different criminal organizations who run the Continental. The Continental is a chain of hotels located in cities worldwide where assassins and the criminal underworld can go as a neutral ground with a set of strict rules - no conducting business on the grounds (i.e., killing one another) being the most stringent of them. When John becomes a massive target for other assassins with an eventual $7 Million bounty on his head, he does what he needs to survive, but this also leads to him breaking some of those rules mentioned above and finding himself "excommunicado," cut off from any underworld resources, and suddenly having the whole world target him with his bounty doubled, now up to $14 Million. With the new bounty on his head, John finds himself on the run, and this film picks things up from the cliffhanger 'Chapter 2' provided us. As far as the all-around plot goes for this one, however, I've pretty much explained it - John Wick is on the run after finding himself "excommunicado" from the Continental, which means he's cut off entirely. Now, a whole bunch of other assassins are after him in an attempt to earn that bounty. John must now use whatever means he can to seek the help of old friends and try to return to some semblance of normal life. Among said friends who offer John a bit of help, usually reluctantly, are new faces like Sophia Al-Azwar (Halle Berry), the head of the Casablanca Continental Hotel, and old faces I've failed to mention already, like The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), who seems to almost get amusement out of helping John with what he needs - generally weapons of some sort. Some old friends end up turning foes, like Winston Scott (Ian McShane), the head of the Continental in New York, who happens to be the one to give John the news of his excommunication. It's hard to believe, but as far as these movies go, they make up for a damn-near-perfect series of action flicks that suit the modern mind who doesn't wanna see the same things over and over again. It's admirable how they manage to keep things the same for each movie, in terms of that instant classic "Gun Fu" action style, while at the same time offering something very new and original. 'Chapter 3' actually has more than one great example of this, but particularly, I loved the use of a horse's back legs. Sounds weird, I know, but trust me on this. It's not only unexpected but hilarious and awesome at the same time. I'd generally consider 'Chapter 3' the point in which audiences begin to understand what they look for when they see a 'John Wick' movie, with "must-haves" like amazing fight choreography, one-liners from Keanu that are both cheesy and awesome and action sequences that flow more smoothly than your average shaky-cam action. It's amazing, but this series has made it three for three in terms of quality at this point, and John Wick has become a name synonymous with modern action. What's even more mind-blowing is there's still a 4th, really good one that follows this! How often (not including 'Toy Story') does a series go four for four!? 5/5  As these 'John Wick' films continue to unfold, I will say right now that in some (if not all) cases, such as the one with 'Chapter 2' here, spoiler territory feels necessary to get to the main plot. With that in mind, if you haven't seen the first film and are at all interested in preserving any surprises for yourself, please don't continue reading. However, I will say that after four feature films, it's probably fairly evident how the last one went in the case of 'Chapter 2.' So, if you're interested, read on; if not, skip down to my rating.
Between the first two films, it's hard to say which one I like better. While the first seems an obvious choice, just based on what it represents for an entire subgenre of gun-slingin', fast-paced firepower and stunt work we fondly call "Gun Fu." It's the classic, of course. But 'John Wick 2' hits the ground running, never really slows down, and is, from beginning to end, an action-packed spectacle for the eyes. It does what a good sequel should and cranks things up a bit more - not just the action, but the stakes as well. As the first film ends, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) completes his mission of vengeance, taking down Russian mob boss Viggo Tarasov and his son, Iosef, because Iosef shot his dog and stole his car. In the aftermath, John finds and rescues a pit bull while treating his wounds, a dog that will remain by his side for a while. However, he doesn't manage to recover his car, which is where this film picks things up as John infiltrates a compound run by Abram Tarasov (Peter Stormare) and succeeds in getting his Boss 429 Mustang back. With a job well done, the bounty off his head, and so on, John returns home for some peace, but then, if he found it, we wouldn't have much of a sequel. John receives a visit from Camorra crime boss Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio), who reminds John about the "marker" (a blood oath) given to him upon completing an "impossible task," which allowed John what was supposed to be a quiet, retired life with his late wife, Helen. Santino wants to utilize John's skills to locate and eliminate his sister, Gianna (Claudia Gerini), so he can claim her seat at the "High Table," a council of twelve high-ranking crime bosses in the underworld. John reluctantly agrees to fulfill his blood oath, once reminded at the Continental Hotel (a neutral ground for assassins and the criminal underworld, briefly mentioned in the last review) that following through with a blood oath is a strict rule of the Continental, along with not conducting business on Continental grounds (assassinations, etc). Santino also sends his bodyguard, Ares (Ruby Rose), to secretly observe John's mission with a trick or two up his sleeve. Cutting right to the chase, upon accomplishment of John's mission, Santino plans to put a $7 Million bounty on John's head in "revenge" for the death of his sister. I appreciate how 'John Wick 2' flips the tables a bit, turning it into much more of a survival scenario than the revenge scenario of the first film. Once that bounty gets put on John's head, you feel the tension, and the concept of the "one-man army" feels a little more abundant. Hunting as an army of one is one thing - surviving against many is quite another. Either way, it carries over the non-stop action the first film had to offer, not just in gunfights but also in martial arts and montages that include actions such as killing with a pencil. I think that the first 'John Wick' is probably the all-around better movie, but I might suggest 'John Wick 2' is better for its "popcorn" aspect. In other words, this one is more entertaining for its style than its substance. Still, though, it's nice that they manage to continue things and change them up just enough so the film can be its own thing and not just a copy of what we did last time. It makes for a pretty badass overarching story, and this one also leaves us with a cliffhanger that leaves us wanting more. The rollercoaster ride continues smoothly here, and the viewer can't wait for the next thrill. 5/5  Back in 2014, I, along with a significant portion of the world, was introduced to a concept called "Gun Fu," a style of action that combines martial arts and gunfighting. With its origins in traditional Hong Kong cinema, it was popularized in John Woo films like 'Hard Boiled' in 1992 and even earlier, in 1986 with 'A Better Tomorrow.' All of this went over my head back then, however, and like so many others, it took 'John Wick' to show me what "Gun Fu" was all about - and holy sh*t, is it a solid step forward for the action genre.
I still remember seeing this in theatres at the time and being mind-blown by the action sequences, as well as rooting for Mr. Wick, along with Keanu himself, for making such a triumphant comeback to the screen, playing arguably his most memorable character since Neo. I strongly consider 'John Wick' to be a landmark film that raises the bar for what action movies can be and brings the kick-ass style of Gun Fu to the forefront, making it very much worth our while to go to the big screen to catch a thrilling flick without it having to be a superhero movie which, by this time, was a subgenre well within its prime. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has recently lost the love of his life, Helen (Bridget Moynahan), who had succumbed to a terminal illness. Sensing her time was short, she arranged for a beagle puppy to be sent to John to help him cope and keep him company in her absence. When we see this adorable beagle puppy, we fall instantly in love; a vital device this film uses for what is about to come, involving a group of Russian gangsters, led by Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) whom John has a run-in with at a gas station; their eyes glued to his 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. Failing to intimidate John at the gas station into selling them his car, the gangsters break into his home, assault him, and manage to steal the car, but in the process... we lose a puppy... this fuels not only John's rage, but the viewer's rage, and we end up champing at the bit to see what John is gonna do to these guys. We know they're going to get it bad, and they want it! Cruelty to animals, even when staged, does NOT fly with audiences. But fret not, viewers! There are still three more 'John Wick' titles to follow, and they ALL branch off this puppy's death - the puppy being the last lingering thing John had in his life from his wife. The film then becomes one of the best revenge movies of all time as John starts hunting these Russian gangsters down, moving anything that gets in his way, even if this Iosef guy IS the son of Viggo Tarasov (Michael Nyqvist), the head of NYC's Russian Mob, who knows John on a personal level, and knows he's not to be messed with. The criminal underground has nicknamed him the "Baba Yaga," a name generally associated with the Boogeyman, but in one of the best badass lines ever, John's to be feared more than just a Boogeyman - he's "the one you send to kill the Boogeyman." There's quite a bit more to it, such as a $2 million bounty on John's head, the introduction of the Continental Hotel (a constant presence throughout the films), and further characters who end up playing important roles as the story unfolds. However, the bottom line for this movie is that it marks the beginning of a massive revenge plot that unfolds across four films, each one raising the stakes a little more as if each film were a new, slightly more challenging level in a video game. 'John Wick' marks the beginning of a series of films that provide action junkies with a reason to head to the box office for a big-screen experience of balls-to-the-wall action. Over the years, 'John Wick' has become one of my favourite action flicks, but moreover, the go-to title in my head when it comes to the "revenge film" subgenre. To me, this one is a bar-setter, and I can't help but admire and praise the fact that these movies tend to avoid the use of "shaky cam" action, which can drive me up the wall because it's harder to see what's going on. All the action here is smooth, stylish, and well-choreographed. In terms of an action movie, I'd put this title right up at the top with titles like 'Die Hard' or 'Terminator 2.' 'John Wick' was an instant classic and still a go-to for all my action-craving needs. 5/5  I tend to enjoy a good heist movie. These kinds of movies are those in which it's easy to route for the bad guy, usually sticking it to the man and becoming some folk hero in the viewers' eyes. I also like a good story in which the villains are more like antiheroes who can get away with things, a "Robin Hood"-type. The difference is that there's no giving to the poor; it's just robbing from the rich. It's always fun to live vicariously through characters like this and fantasize about what a grand heist might be like.
'Den of Thieves' may not be the best, but I still find it perfectly enjoyable for what it offers. Here we have an action crime flick with decent action, a bit of a sense of humour to go along with it, a solid twist ending, and to top it all off, I very much see this as a "dude" movie - full of testosterone, muscle-bound characters, high octane action, attitude, something you can throw reality aside for to watch something that may help one unwind and destress after a terrible day. Despite some bad reviews, this is a decent watch if one doesn't take it too seriously. The film opens by letting the viewer know what they're in for. A handful of ex-Marines hijack an armoured truck, and that leads to a shootout right off the bat with a bunch of cops, leaving several dead in the crossfire. The heist backfires and prompts LA County Sheriff's Department Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien (Gerard Butler), along with LA's Major Crimes Unit, to investigate. They finger the recently paroled Ray Merrimen (Pablo Schreiber) as the prime suspect in the attempted heist. Nick, one of the crooked cops on the force, and his team eventually kidnap a bartender who works at a bar that frequently serves Ray and his team named Donnie Wilson (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) for questioning. He's eventually released but kept a close eye on as he continues to work with his team, planning their next big heist, the Federal Reserve, which involves intercepting about $30 million in old bills removed from circulation daily, before it all gets shredded. Nick hopes to put a stop to their heist, but soon finds himself in over his head. Much of the movie is setup for the final heist, which is a good half-hour in itself, so I could see complaints about the film dragging or even a bit of unnecessary filler involving Nick's wife and kid. This side plot relates to Nick's renegade ways being too much for his family, but it's unnecessary for anything significant. It's there to allow for a bit of empathy towards Nick's character, but the film doesn't revisit it to resolve anything, and it did leave me wondering what happened with his family. However, I might consider Nick's family a nitpick on my part, and I can see several other places where the film doesn't do so great. Things like seemingly endless ammo in the shootout sequences stand out, and perhaps a bit of the dialogue and even some of the more unlikable characters who don't feel like they really need to be there. That said, I liked how fleshed out Nick's character was and Butler's overall performance. The stunt driving was pretty sweet, and again, this can still be quite enjoyable if you turn your brain off for a bit. As far as a heist movie goes, this is certainly no 'Ocean's Eleven' or 'Italian Job' or anything that one must see on a big screen to get its full effect. If one watches this with the same mentality as they'd watch a Sunday afternoon action movie, one might get more out of it. Nothing here will blow anyone away, including the twist that many, I'm sure, will insist they saw coming from a mile away. If this were something that came straight to streaming, it wouldn't have surprised me. But if you like a half-decent heist flick, give this one a shot. 3/5 |
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