John Wick: Movie Review

A sleeper hit like Argo?  I think not, this is my review of Keanu Reeves' latest action movie "John Wick".  

I have to say in advance that I am a Keanu Reeves fan, and my review maybe viewed as bias.  Never the less, I would have to say my rating first, then the reason why I rated it that way.

My rating for this action packed movie, is a 4 out of 5 stars.  And the reason for those are the following:

• The story itself is a bit generic for an action movie, wrong doing must be fixed by the hero or in this case an anti-hero (who seems nice) with action violence.  But, this is a movie, that is building it's own hidden world, that alone is interesting.  And you probably want to know more in another installment (part 2) of the movie.  That is, if they make another one.
• The action is good and the pacing is also very good.  My sleepy wife, was planning to sleep during this movie and wasn't able, meaning the movie is interesting and pacing itself at the right speed that the audience has no time to get bored and sleep.  Compare this to "The Expendables" movie it knows what it is.  An action film, with light dialogue and flimsy story line, but full of gun and fist fighting action.
• The film filter is good, does not look cheap, even though, the premise of the story is flimsy and the dialogue is almost Shakespeare like.  The screenplay may have been bad in the dialogue part, but the action covered for that flaw.

The cinematography was good, settings and lighting was high quality.  It may lack certain things here and there, but gets the point thru the audience.  The point or lesson is don't mess with anyone you don't know.  You may regret it soon enough.  Or the wicked are punished, as plainly stated by the characters as they are having a conversation.

The movie is no "Bourne Identity" in the action scenes, since there are scenes that lack the intensity of a fight hand to hand combat.  It's as if the camera is stationary and you somehow feel disconnected. Vehicle action sequence is a bit good, but also has something lacking in it.

The movie, has a lot going for it.  If you like Keanu Reeves, dark comedy, guns, action, and blood splatter then this movie is for you.  

Other recommendations if you don't want to see this movie in cinema/theater, but want almost the same thing:

• Bourne Identity 1 - 3
• Bourne Legacy
• The Professional (Leon:The Professional - Natalie Portman, Jean Reno, Gary Oldman)
• Grosse Pointe Blank (Comedy - John Cussack, Dan Aykroyd, Minnie Driver)
• Wild Target (British Film comedy/thriller - Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint)

Hope this review helps in your decision to watch this movie or not.  Enjoy watching it this weekend, it could be its last week in cinemas.