Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Keanu Reeves | ... | John Wick | |
Michael Nyqvist | ... | Viggo Tarasov | |
Alfie Allen | ... | Iosef Tarasov | |
Willem Dafoe | ... | Marcus | |
Dean Winters | ... | Avi | |
Adrianne Palicki | ... | Ms. Perkins | |
Omer Barnea | ... | Gregori | |
Toby Leonard Moore | ... | Victor | |
Daniel Bernhardt | ... | Kirill | |
Bridget Moynahan | ... | Helen | |
John Leguizamo | ... | Aurelio | |
Ian McShane | ... | Winston | |
Bridget Regan | ... | Addy | |
Lance Reddick | ... | Hotel Manager / Charon | |
Keith Jardine | ... | Kuzma |
With the untimely death of his beloved wife still bitter in his mouth, John Wick, the expert former assassin, receives one final gift from her--a precious keepsake to help John find a new meaning in life now that she is gone. But when the arrogant Russian mob prince, Iosef Tarasov, and his men pay Wick a rather unwelcome visit to rob him of his prized 1969 Mustang and his wife's present, the legendary hitman will be forced to unearth his meticulously concealed identity. Blind with revenge, John will immediately unleash a carefully orchestrated maelstrom of destruction against the sophisticated kingpin, Viggo Tarasov, and his family, who are fully aware of his lethal capacity. Now, only blood can quench the boogeyman's thirst for retribution. Written by Nick Riganas
It looks as if the filmmakers realized that the public was sick of certain movies. Most movies nowadays are full of wire work, sci-fi, etc. often topped with icing made of needless or predictable background stories that add nothing. For example the beautiful girlfriend who gives the moral speeches or the troubled teenage daughter, who aren't present here.
Nothing of that is in John Wick. John Wick adds hardly a story, no character development, no needless character or background, no misplaced drama, no misplaced humor and not too much eye candy, nothing of that. What John Wick offers is action, action and more action. In fact, it is one long action scene, with some lines and close ups added. But that is not a problem. The directors promise action and deliver. While delivering they made it look good and convincing, without trying to be more, and they're smart enough to give the movie a satisfying beginning and ending.
And for those who claim that Keanu Reeves is a horrible actor..... you are right. But his blank expression is perfect for this movie. Leave the acting to the bad guys and the delicious guest part for Willem Dafoe.
If you're tired of movies with forced drama or loaded with CGI, John Wick will be a pleasant wake-up call.