This post includes a brief plot summary and a review of John Wick (2014). Beware of spoilers.
Note: This is not a first-time watch but rather a rewatch. I remember when “John Wick” was released, I went to see it in a local theater and I just couldn’t believe how good it was. At that time, I thought: “It’s official, Keanu Reeves is back!”. Well, he’s been active all these years (after Matrix), but none of his latest works were… memorable.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, John Wick (2014) is an action thriller starring Keanu Reeves as John Wick, Michael Nyqvist as Viggo Tarasov, Alfie Allen as Iosef Tarasov and Willem Dafoe as Marcus.
Short Review: As an action film enthusiast, I’m happy to say that “John Wick” does not disappoint. The action sequences are great, and the soundtrack is awesome! John Wick has made action films cool again!
“John Wick” is about a man whose world is turned upside down when a group of criminals invade his house, kill his puppy, and steal his car.
The story begins with John Wick, our protagonist, mourning the death of his wife, Helen, who leaves him a final gift: a puppy named Daisy. However, this small beacon of light is brutally taken from him when Iosef Tarasov, the reckless son of a powerful Russian mob boss (Viggo Tarasov), kills the dog and steals John’s car.
What Iosef doesn’t realize is that John is a retired hitman, known in the criminal underworld as “Baba Yaga”—a legendary professional killer. Needless to say, John is pissed. Fueled by grief and a thirst for vengeance, he goes back to his old ways and takes matters into his own hands.
John successfully hunts down Iosef, but Viggo is not happy that John killed his only heir. Therefore, the mob boss deploys his men to eliminate “Baba Yaga”. The film ends with a bloody showdown between John and Viggo. After killing the latter, John rescues a dog from an animal shelter, a Pitbull puppy symbolizing a new beginning.
Since its release, “John Wick” has had a significant impact on action cinema and pop culture.
The film’s sleek “gun-fu” choreography leaves me breathless every time I watch it. They set a new standard for action sequences. John Wick’s style and success inspired countless imitators and elevated the expectations for fight choreography in Hollywood.
“John Wick”, the character, has entered pop culture as an iconic anti-hero. For many, including myself, the term “John Wick” has become a synonym for action and relentless vengeance. Even minor details, like John Wick’s black suit, a bulletproof but stylish garment, have become a fashion trend.
One of the most fascinating aspects of “John Wick” is its meticulous world-building.
The film introduces viewers to a hidden society of assassins governed by strict codes of conduct. Central to this world is “The Continental Hotel”, a “sanctuary” for hitmen. However, there is a golden rule: business cannot be conducted at the hotel. Whoever dares to disobey this particular rule will face dire consequences.
Another original concept is the gold coin currency system. These coins are used for everything from paying for weapons to securing services at “The Continental”. In my opinion, it’s a clever narrative device that reinforces the exclusivity and mystique of this underground world. The attention to detail in crafting this universe sets “John Wick” apart from traditional revenge thrillers and gives it a unique identity.
I was deeply impressed by the film’s sound design and music.
As someone who is kind of picky when it comes to audio ambience, I thought the soundtrack perfectly complemented the on-screen action, enhancing the tension and atmosphere in a way that I find truly immersive.
Also, the audio effect of every gunshot, punch, and explosion enhanced, at least for me, the watching experience. It allowed me to “absorb” John’s brutal world. Having said that, the film excels in the action choreography department and the musical department.
What makes “John Wick” so good is the film’s ability to resonate.
The premise of the film is unbelievably simple: it starts with a puppy, and it ends with another puppy. Okay, maybe it’s an oversimplification of the plot, but you get the gist. “John Wick” is not about coherence; it is about watching a man on a relentless quest for revenge.
Now, on a more serious note, grief, loss, and a deep sense of injustice are all extremely relatable and understandable feelings. That’s why it was so satisfying and entertaining to watch the main character wipe out an entire mob organization.
“John Wick” revived Keanu Reeves’ career.
As I said before, Keanu Reeves acting career was sort of “lukewarm” since his “Matrix” heydays, but “John Wick” brought him back and probably to a new audience.
Keanu Reeves’ triumphant comeback is not unheard of in the action movie world. There were also other success stories before him, I’m thinking about Liam Neeson with the “Taken” franchise and Sylvester Stallone with “The Expendables”.
Some people say that Keanu Reeves cannot act, but I have another take on this matter.
Now that I’ve seen the “final product”, I believe the actor was the perfect casting choice. Just take a closer look at the character: who is John Wick? He used to kill people for a living, but now he has retired. Unfortunately, his wife has also passed away, making him a recent widow living a relatively quiet life. Having said that, who are we looking for?
First of all, we need someone who can play a professional killer and still have the audience rooting for him. Whether people like Keanu as an actor or not, he has that likeability factor working for him.
Second, the man cannot be the stereotypical tough guy/badass like Denzel Washington. The “don’t mess with me” aura cannot be too evident. What I’m trying to say is he cannot be perfect, someone who is hard to beat right from the get-go.
Last but not least, the actor playing John Wick needs to be physically fit for the part because he is going to kill a lot of thugs in the film. Having said that, Keanu is the man for the job. And do not forget: he has “Matrix” under his belt. That really helps to cement his reputation in the action-type genre.
Final Thoughts
To be honest, back then, I didn’t expect the film to be that good. However, I’m glad that I was wrong. As a viewer, I was looking for pure entertainment, and “John Wick” delivers in that department.
The film had a relatively “modest” budget compared to today’s Hollywood standards. However, that hasn’t affected its quality—good things come in small packages. The action sequences are amazing because they look very realistic. Finally, someone is bringing things back to basics! Keanu Reeves performed most of his stunts, which is not bad at all for a man of his age. Respect!
Overall, “John Wick” is a very solid action film. There wasn’t a single dull moment in the film. When the credits started to roll, I felt myself wanting more, and this is how I know I watched some good stuff. Now that the series is over, John Wick (2014) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) were definitely my favorites.
Final Rating: 
(Very Good)
