John Wick

<<

Screening Suggestions

>>

So, a couple of things to get out of the way off the bat on this. I give both 'John Wick' films a solid 5/5, but this isn't a review so much as a recommendation. Secondly, here's a link to the 'Chapter 2' review, if you care you read my thoughts on it, after reading my thoughts on this.

The very basic plot involves John Wick (Keanu Reeves) losing his wife to Cancer. While John mourns, he receives one last gift from her - some words of her love to him, and an adorable puppy the audience almost HAS to fall in love with right off the bat. And we do.

John soon confronts a kid (Alfie Allen) outside of a gas station, who wants to get his hands on John's car, a 1969 Mustang. He refuses, and the kid along with his cronies hunt John down, jump him, do something almost every movie-goer truly despises and steal his car for themselves. From there, it is a flat out balls-to-the-wall revenge film, involving the incredibly intriguing and awesome style of "Gun fu".

This is one of those movies I lump into an incredibly specific category. There's not enough of these I can think of to make a top 10 list out of, but a few titles coexist with it. I call them "non-video game movies", in the sense that they are in no way based on a video game, but if they were, the movie would be the perfect adaptation of it. It's sequel follows suit pretty well, and I'd put movies like 'Raid: Redemption' and 'Dredd' on the list just as well. All of which are, at least to myself, very reminiscent of first person shooters.

Anyway, there's really not a whole bunch to say on the matter. It's just one of those revenge films that works incredibly well, and contains next to no padding. When I say this is a balls-to-the-wall revenge film, I mean that. Hell, John is even blessed with his own mythos to him, referring to him as "Babayaga" (the Boogeyman). Except John's not exactly the Boogeyman. Hes' the guy you send to kill the Boogeyman.

So, if you're in the mood for some interesting stunts, nonstop action, and guns a blazing, this is another high recommendation. I'd even say it's a better 'Punisher' movie than 'The Punisher' (I don't care which version, pick one). The catch, you've gotta watch 'Chapter 2' immediately afterwards. Make it a revenge night marathon.

---