John Wick
America has a thing about Russia doesn’t it? The villains here are Russian mobsters. The ‘hero’ of the title (Keanu Reeves) is a former hitman who has ‘retired’ due to the love of a good woman – who subsequently dies and leaves him a puppy as a memento of their love. The canine is killed, and his ’69 Ford Mustang stolen – both by the Russian thugs, which prompts a totally unjustifiable orgy of revenge.
I should have counted, but Wick apparently scores 84 deaths. It’s like one of those violent video games – and just as meaningless. In fact, Wick was added as a character to the videogame Payday 2. The Co-Directors, former stuntmen themselves, could be praised for the fluidity of the numerous fight sequences.
There’s talk of this being the first instalment of a franchise – if that’s the case, heaven help us. Keanu deserves better. (MMu)
1.5/5 stars
Written by Michael Muir