.John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a man who’s come to understand how to keep his feelings in check. This proved vital in his past life as an assassin as it was necessary to remain cool under pressure, while no small amount of personal tragedy, which would crush a less-disciplined man, has befallen him. His beautiful wife (Bridget Moynahan) of five years has succumbed to cancer, leaving him shattered and alone. Knowing her demise was in the offing, she made arrangements to have a small puppy delivered to their home after her death, in order to help her husband cope with his grief. However, this is interrupted one night when Wick’s home is invaded by reckless Russian hooligans who beat him senseless, steal his vintage sports car and kill his dog. Needless to say, revenge on these hooligans becomes our hero’s primary focus.
The movie doesn’t disappoint. There’s a visceral energy to the director’s approach that prevents the movie from being another simple genre exercise.
And while John Wick will never be accused of being intricately plotted, it’s a movie distinctly of our time. In the end it’s not about Wick’s stolen car or dead dog, it’s about pride and being able to right obvious wrongs. One of the reasons we go to the movies is to experience the sort of release that “Wick” so ably supplies. It may not be noble, but it sure feels good.
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