Something that’s always grated my gears about action films in the 00’s is their insistence on using shaky cam closeups of the combat. First popularised by The Bourne Identity, there are many reasons why this became employed over the years but primarily it was to cover up shoddy fight choreography. This is why the John Wick franchise has become as popular as it has since the first film’s release in 2014, because unlike so many of its contemporaries, John Wick wants to show off how great the fight choreography is, and how talented the stunt crew really are. With the fourth John Wick film releasing soon, join me as I take a look back at the first film.
Retired assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is grieving the death of his wife when he is attacked by Iosef Tasarov (Alfie Allen), son of a former associate of John’s, Viggo (Michael Nyquist), head of the Tasarov crime syndicate. Unwilling to accept Viggo’s apology for his son’s actions, John comes out of retirement to exact vengeance upon Iosef, and anyone who stands in his way.
Retired assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is grieving the death of his wife when he is attacked by Iosef Tasarov (Alfie Allen), son of a former associate of John’s, Viggo (Michael Nyquist), head of the Tasarov crime syndicate. Unwilling to accept Viggo’s apology for his son’s actions, John comes out of retirement to exact vengeance upon Iosef, and anyone who stands in his way.
Similar to classic action movies, John Wick doesn’t waste time with its story. In fact, it understands that the story is really just perfunctory foreplay for the action sequences. This is a no-frills revenge story that doesn’t waste time with backstories or character development, it lays the groundwork and lights the match for some truly excellent fight sequences. Is this a problem? I would argue no. Whilst I’m a sucker for a rich narrative and complex characters, I understand and appreciate when things are stripped back to basics in favour of allowing spectacle to take centre stage. John Wick doesn’t try to be something it isn’t, it’s dumb action fun with a sophisticated sheen.
Obviously to be engaged in the action the characters need to be interesting, and thankfully Reeves takes the relatively blank slate that is John Wick and presents a stoic cross between James Bond and the Terminator. He’s a cold, calculated killer. He is a professional, and he’s very, very good at it. Despite Reeves being fifty at the time John Wick was made, he makes the action look effortless, and he does a lot of his own stunt work in it. It’s Reeves’ anchoring performance that makes John Wick as enjoyable as it is, a man of few words that has mesmerising skill with a gun.
The film does provide enough intrigue surrounding the guild of assassins that John used to belong to. It never bogs itself down with exposition to really explain what they are or how they operate, but there’s enough visual communication and insinuation through clever dialogue choices to allow you to become immersed in his world despite knowing very little about it. This is something the sequels explore a lot more, but here in the first film the mystery surrounding it all is just so alluring.
Obviously to be engaged in the action the characters need to be interesting, and thankfully Reeves takes the relatively blank slate that is John Wick and presents a stoic cross between James Bond and the Terminator. He’s a cold, calculated killer. He is a professional, and he’s very, very good at it. Despite Reeves being fifty at the time John Wick was made, he makes the action look effortless, and he does a lot of his own stunt work in it. It’s Reeves’ anchoring performance that makes John Wick as enjoyable as it is, a man of few words that has mesmerising skill with a gun.
The film does provide enough intrigue surrounding the guild of assassins that John used to belong to. It never bogs itself down with exposition to really explain what they are or how they operate, but there’s enough visual communication and insinuation through clever dialogue choices to allow you to become immersed in his world despite knowing very little about it. This is something the sequels explore a lot more, but here in the first film the mystery surrounding it all is just so alluring.
So, the real meat and gravy of John Wick, the visuals, and specifically the combat sequences. Combat is always given room to breathe on screen, it’s never so close you can hardly tell what’s happening, but it’s always close enough to make you feel like you’re right in the thick of it. Long, clean, and stylish shots allow for the ballet-like combat to unfold in plain view and it’s really quiet something to behold. Combine this with some great set design, clever use of lighting, and some real bite to the sound, and John Wick is a film best experienced on a big screen, in a dark room, with the volume up loud.
John Wick is a love letter to good action. With much of the crew being former stuntmen, it’s no surprise that John Wick wants to show off how great even simple action sequences can be when done well. What it may lack in story it more than makes up for in thrills. I can understand that not everyone will appreciate what John Wick has to offer, but if you’re a fan of the action genre then John Wick simply is essential viewing; and the sequels only crack everything up to eleven.
John Wick is a love letter to good action. With much of the crew being former stuntmen, it’s no surprise that John Wick wants to show off how great even simple action sequences can be when done well. What it may lack in story it more than makes up for in thrills. I can understand that not everyone will appreciate what John Wick has to offer, but if you’re a fan of the action genre then John Wick simply is essential viewing; and the sequels only crack everything up to eleven.