What makes “John Wick” stand out most is how Keanu Reeves’ strong presence combines with the fresh gun-fu action. While he was known for stylish moves in the ‘Matrix’ series, here he switches things up and shows off realistic, practical fighting.

The innovative gun action “Gun-Fu” is embodied by Keanu Reeves.

Harsh Training

Making “John Wick” took a huge amount of effort. Keanu reportedly did 90% of his own stunts. Before filming, he trained hard for 4 months—5 days a week, 8 hours a day. He learned several martial arts, including judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Japanese jiu-jitsu, and practiced extensively with firearms and close combat.

A standout fact: the International Judo Federation gave Keanu an honorary black belt for his judo skills. For firearms, he trained with top shooting instructor Taran Butler, who said, “He was the best gun handler I’ve ever trained.”

Training For John Wick Was Not Easy For Keanu Reeves

Training for John Wick was a real challenge for Keanu Reeves behind the scenes.

As Keanu himself stated, “Preparing to play John Wick is truly brutal. There’s a huge difference between hitting something and getting hit.” During filming, daily deep tissue massages and ice baths to reduce swelling were essential.

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The Revolution of “Gun-Fu”

“Gun-Fu” blends gunplay with martial arts. Director Chad Stahelski explained that for the first film, the team developed a unique combat style combining grappling-based martial arts and firearms, creating a signature fighting approach for John Wick.

Some compare this gun-fu to the “Gun-Kata” featured in ‘Bladerunner’ (2002), which presented stylized and dance-like moves inspired by Wing Chun’s Butterfly Knife techniques.

But in the John Wick movies, Gun-Fu is more focused on real combat. The way John dodges bullets with small movements and quickly takes out enemies with guns and hand-to-hand fighting is almost robotic in its precision. He rarely misses. Almost every shot is a headshot, and shooting the body is just a way to buy time to aim for the head.

However, John Wick is not invincible. The premise that his skills have dulled slightly during years of retirement prevents him from being an unstoppable force, creating tension in the film. Seeing him take several hits, wounded yet still fighting, makes the audience feel, “This fight is genuinely dangerous.”

An original underworld worldview that expands with each installment

Another thing that makes the John Wick series stand out is its carefully built underworld. While it’s hard to picture such an organization in real life, it works perfectly in the movie. It almost feels like a video game world brought to life, and Keanu Reeves’ performance helps make it believable.

The Continental Hotel, just for assassins, is especially memorable. It has strict rules—no killing is allowed inside, and breaking this rule leads to harsh punishment. In the hotel bar, enemies can sit side by side, knowing who each other is, but they can’t do anything about it.

Even more impressive is the gold coin system. In this world, transactions are conducted with special gold coins rather than regular currency. Services are exchanged for gold coins, such as “One gold coin for watching over a sleeping man.” This unique economic system visually represents the order and rules of the underworld.

These settings introduced in the first film are explored in greater depth in the sequels. It becomes clear that behind the gold coin system lies a massive organization called the “High Table,” and Continental Hotels are scattered across the globe. The structure, where the full scope of this underworld gradually unfolds with each installment, keeps the audience hooked.

This world-building enriches the film, adding depth to a simple revenge plot. The underworld aspects continually engage viewers, preventing the story from feeling repetitive or dull.

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A simple, razor-sharp revenge story woven from love for a dog

The story in ‘John Wick’ is very straightforward. A man loses someone he loves and seeks revenge. It doesn’t get much simpler, but that’s exactly what makes the movie strong.

An unavoidable moment when watching John Wick is the opening scene with the puppy, Daisy. A small gift was sent to John after his wife’s death. This puppy, his wife’s final expression of love meant to ensure “you won’t be alone,” is mercilessly killed—a development that will likely evoke strong emotional resonance in many viewers.

For dog lovers, this scene is undoubtedly upsetting. As a dog owner, imagining harm to beloved pets can evoke a strong, empathetic response similar to John Wick’s drive for justice.

Some might question if revenge for a single dog is believable, but with a legendary hitman as the protagonist, the motive feels justified. The significance of the dog as his wife’s last gift means John’s anger never seems excessive.

Some action films rely on complex plots, but John Wick keeps its story straightforward. John’s motivation is unwavering. He seeks his target and acts decisively, omitting unnecessary dialogue and focusing on action.

This simplicity feels refreshing. The audience doesn’t have to worry about extra details and can just enjoy watching John take down his enemies.

One scene near the end stands out: when John corners the enemy boss, he unexpectedly walks away instead of delivering the final blow. This is a reversal of the typical movie scenario in which the villain spares the hero, and it feels somewhat unusual in the context of the story.

Nevertheless, John Wick’s vulnerability is necessary for maintaining tension and viewer engagement. With well-paced, dynamic action, the film consistently holds the audience’s attention.

A cast of unique supporting characters

The cast members, aside from Keanu Reeves, also deliver impressive performances.

Marcus, played by Willem Dafoe, is John’s old friend and a key figure in the story. He doesn’t appear very often, but when he does, he makes his presence felt. Honestly, I wanted to see a little more of him.

Alfie Allen, who plays Joseph, is known for his role as Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones. He brilliantly plays the role of an arrogant, foolish underboss, perfectly portraying a villain who makes the audience want to cheer, “Take him down!” His Russian accent was natural and convincing.

Michael Nyqvist as Viggo, the Russian mafia boss, heightens tension from the story’s outset. His anxiety and fear upon learning of his son’s folly, and his grasp of John Wick’s terrifying nature, add depth to the narrative.

Anticipation for the Sequel

Following the release of the film ‘John Wick’, a sequel was already greenlit, and it ultimately became a series.

The series achieved great success with John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Parabellum (2019), and John Wick: Consequences (2023).

The first film served to “introduce” the character of John Wick and the world of the underworld.

In the sequels, this world expands further, introducing more assassins and organizations. The settings hinted at in the first film, such as the existence of the High Table, the organization behind the gold coin system, and the Continental Hotels located around the world, are explored in greater depth.

The film John Wick functions perfectly as a standalone action movie, while maintaining an exquisite balance that builds anticipation for the sequels.

In the film’s final scene, John, walking with his new dog, gives the impression that his story is not yet over.

Summary: A new era of action films was pioneered by Keanu Reeves

The film John Wick is a new masterpiece by actor Keanu Reeves and a landmark action film of the 2010s.

While it is a simple and straightforward revenge story, its innovative “gun-fu” action and original underworld setting set it apart from other action films. The black-toned visual beauty, the masculine atmosphere devoid of romantic elements, and above all, Keanu Reeves’ overwhelming presence captivate the audience.

“A film that knows who it is” – this is the greatest strength of the movie “John Wick”. Without excessive explanation or unnecessary twists, the entire work is permeated by a single-minded striving to be the perfect action movie.

This masterpiece can be confidently recommended to all dog lovers, Keanu Reeves fans, and movie fans seeking stylish action. Watching it at high volume in your home theater will let you fully enjoy its power and exhilaration.

John Wick says, “Those who took away my peaceful days will pay the price.” After watching this movie, you will surely think, “Keanu is so cool.”