John Wick - 捍衛任務

John Wick (捍衛任務) is an 2014 film. The movie stars Keanu Reeves. The film is an revenge movie from the trailers. You just don't mess with a man's car. After you watch the film, you'll know its more than just the car.



John Wick's wife Helen collapses with New York in the backdrop. Eventually succumbing to the illness. With ominous music, we see John pull the plug on Helen at the hospital, have the funeral, and the repast reception at his house. As he's cleaning up, a package is delivered. The package is of a dog named Daisy. A note from his late wife tells him to love not only his car, but the dog to move on with life. John and Daisy get along and move on with life. When John takes his car for a spin, he's at an gas station and bumps into some hip hop thumping Russian thugs. One of them ask about his 1969 mustang and how much. John politely tells him in both English and Russian the car is not for sale. Later that night, the three thugs at the gas station show up and steal his car and does something else unthinkable. All these terrible acts together break John. John wants revenge. As the story unfolds, we find out that John Wick walked away from a super successful career as the ultimate bad @$$ hitman. So awesome that even criminals tremble at his name. The revenge of John Wick against those punks begins.

This movie was actually pretty awesome. I only knew that it was going to be an revenge epic. I walked into the movie theater with absolutely no expectations. But I was treated to so much more. The "hitman" world painted in the film was quite impressive. The hitmen society have a code that they live by and they aim to do that. John Wick travels within this circle and the movie slowly unlocks this secret world.

But the main star of this film is Keanu Reeves at his action best. Is it Donnie Yen action best? Not by a long shot! We are talking about an US production here. But what the film provides in terms of action takes what HK/Thai action films have done well and apply close quarter gunplay. Instead of fist or knifes in close quarter combat, we're treated to a gun rendition that is both brutal and balletic. I will go out on a limb and say that this film had some influence from Equilibrium and its influence on future action films will be felt for years to come.

The trailer does a good job of not giving away the film too much. Surprises in the story are around every corner. The movie ends with John Wick walking into the New York skyline. I hope a John Wick sequel comes soon. Please make a sequel.