‘John Wick’ Review As it happens in horror, action is a genre that in terms of releases it has become more about quantity than quality. Hundreds of straight-to-video/stream titles are available every year, usually starring the same five or six actors that made their names in the ’90s. Big studios also provide their share of explosions and punches, but they are usually ingredients in science fiction, fantasy, horror and superhero tentpoles. 2014 hasn’t been a strong year for “straight action movies”: Jack Ryan, Sabotage, Non-stop, Need for Speed, The November Man, Brick Mansions and others go from disappointing to just OK. Above all of them we had The Equalizer and specially The Raid 2. Now we can add John Wick to that select group. The film is a revenge action thriller crafted by die-hard fans, behind and in front of the camera: Directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski (experienced stuntmen and fight coordinators) and Keanu Reeves (martial arts aficionado). Reeves himself recently helmed the strong Man of Tai Chi. Of course, that is not enough. The cinematic hell is full of well-intentioned passion projects. The filmmakers and the star were able to create enough creative and powerful set pieces to satisfy those thirsty of punches and bullets. The story follows the titular character literally fighting a Russian gang (Hollywood’s favorite bad guys nowadays, along with the North Koreans), after a few members of the criminal organization invade his home, steal his sports car, and (spoiler alert!) kill his adorable puppy. Not the most persuasive elevator speech for a script, clearly. But these cheese clichés are welcomed because the movie never takes itself too seriously. Things get particularly comedic when our hero goes to a kind of hotel for assassins, a very original concept. Most of the talking scenes are entertaining, but sometimes that delicate balance between seriousness and silliness is lost, and the weight that key moments should have is gone. The final confrontation, for example, would have benefited by a more somber and stronger villain. But, what “Wick” lacks in some departments it compensates with sequences of carnage that are beautiful and fun to watch. Supporting the visual spectacle of “gun-foo” choreographies (hand-to-hand combat plus fire arms) there is an intoxicating soundtrack that would make anything seem cool. John Wick doesn’t end up being more than the sum of its great parts, but it offers a hell of a ride for those who appreciate the art of cinematographic violence. The Lionsgate release is now playing in theaters nationwide.
