Cert 15
101 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, bloody violence
I'm a bit schizophrenic when it comes to Keanu Reeves.
I can't say that I would consider him to have much of an acting repertoire and yet he has appeared in several films which have become classics of their time.
These include Parenthood, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and, of course, The Matrix.
Chad Stahelski's John Wick has much more in common with the latter than the former. There's plenty of action and scarcely a shaft of light let alone any jokes.
Reeves plays Wick, a former assassin who has given up his deadly trade to be with his wife with whom he is besotted.
However, after she dies from natural causes, Wick's grief turns to anger when his home is raided and he is humiliated.
Thus, without his wife to hold him in check he vows revenge.
And so, the carnage begins. Think Death Wish and multiply it by 50.
John Wick's plot may be a bit skinny but its action is relentless and breathless. Wick is fast with gun, knife, fist or boot. The body count is substantial.
Reeves is a man of few words in the role of Wick - he lets his violence do the talking.
Opposing him his Alfie Allen as the wannabee leader of the criminal gang led by his ruthless father (Michael Nyqvist).
Allen makes a believable young villain who is dangerously knee-jerk. Nyqvist's character is more respectful but without mercy nonetheless.
And the killing goes on and on and on and we really shouldn't have liked it. But Mrs W and I were won over by the fierce action and lone anti-hero.
Producer Basil Iwanyk: "John Wick is the story of a man who loses his wife and has his home invaded, his car stolen and his dog killed. It's a very human premise that could happen to anyone. To me, the holy grail of the action genre is to pare a very simple and accessible premise like this with a hyper-real style as we've done with this film."
Reasons to watch: Non-stop action.
Reasons to avoid: Basic plot and dialogue.
Laughs: none
Jumps: two
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 7.5/10