7/10

Keanu Reeves gives a triumphant return to the genre that made him a star in the early 90’s. John Wick is the story of An ex-hitman coming out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. Aside from a very detailed back story, the film is stylishly violent with a lot of beautifully choreographed fight scenes. Reeves gives arguably his most impressive performance since The Matrix Trilogy as the title character in question. Reeves has the history of sleeping through movie roles that could take that particular film to a higher place. Luckily, this isn’t the problem in this film. He legitimately gives some great line reads in a heart pounding acting performance. He was born to play a character like Wick because subliminally he can relate to a character who lost everything and retired from the genre that he was known for. It’s not just a comeback for the character, but for Reeves as well. One thing that does worry me about this film aside from it’s movie title (See Jack Reacher), is that i worry enough people won’t see the movie to change their opinions on Keanu. John Leguizamo also stops by to make a five minute paycheck. His role is that of a guidance counselor to open the eyes of the consequences coming to the gangsters who just messed with the wrong man. John Wick is a story that anyone can get behind because it’s a revenge tale. We all like to see those characters so bad to the bone that it makes you grit your teeth whenever they are on film. We also like to see them get served, and served they do. Over the course of this 94 minute film, Wick avenges himself with loud gun play, and some of the best fight scenes i have seen in 2014. One thing in particular that I really found original about the movie was it shows what happens AFTER the fight scenes. You always see this violence in films and wonder who has to clean those bodies and blood splats up. Well, in this one, there is an all black wearing crew who get it done. There is a montage scene dedicated to their cleanup, and I found something very different and refreshing about it. There were two things that i had a problem with in the movie. The first deals with suspension of disbelief. For those of you who have seen the trailer, you know that one of the gangsters wants to buy Reeves car. Keanu says no, and this is apparently enough for these men to break into Wick’s house and take his car anyway. Wick is thought of as a hero for this gangster family, and not only do i think the car is a dumb reason to break into a house and risk your identity, but i also find it hard to believe that no one in this family told this kid who John Wick was before he and his four men broke into the house. The only other problem i had with the film was most of the second act turning into a comedy act. The first act is overwhelmingly a dark shoot em up story. It’s grittyness in stylish violent nature is what makes you take this film seriously. During the second act however, that changes. They decide to use this time for some comedic banter between Wick and the people hired to assassinate him. Most people won’t have a problem with this area, but i just don’t feel that comedy works in a film with such a dark plot. Luckily, the 3rd and final act takes the movie back to where it belonged with an unapologetic finale. I recommend this movie for anyone who is a Keanu Reeves fan, and is dying for him to get back into action films. John Wick won’t leave any kind of lasting impression one year from now, but it’s mysterious and legendary presence for it’s main character is what sets a beautiful tone for a Reeves comeback a long time in the making.