I was shocked (and delighted because it meant I could watch them all again) that I hadn’t written about John Wick before. I had written up the second film but for some reason hadn’t done the other three. So that means I could buckle up and dive into this amazing world where assassins thrive, have a sense of style, embrace retro aesthetics, modern weapons, and can have friendly meetings on safe ground provided by The Continental.

And the cast! Sure you know Keanu Reeves kicks all manner of ass in this series, but I completely forgot all the names that joined him in the first film! There’s Willem Dafoe, Adrianne Palicki, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Dean Winters, and Bridget Moynahan.

Chad Stahelski started out with stunt work, and when he was paired with Reeves on The Matrix things clicked, and laid the ground work for the duo pairing up for this film.

John Wick (Reeves) is a retired assassin, mourning the recent death of his beloved wife (Moynahan). She’s gifted him a puppy, Daisy, to help him deal with the loss, and stay connected. When Iosef (Alfie Allen), the son of a high profile gangster Viggo (Micheal Nyqvist), kills Daisy and steals his car, John sets out on a path of vengeance.

He returns to the world he left behind. He was the best of the best when it comes to killing people and now, that skill is turned against Iosef and anyone in his way.

Working from the safe ground of The Continental in New York, Wick hunts Iosef down. And the film delivers amazing stunt work and fight scenes, not letting up until the credits roll.

Filled with pulse-pounding music, and absolutely jaw-dropping fight choreography, gun play, and car work, Stahelski and Reeves delivered a film that changed the action genre.

It is a celebration of stunt work, framed into a story of revenge. Yes, it hurts that Daisy the beagle dies. It’s supposed to piss you off, and it then lets you enjoy the wrath John brings down on his enemies as he wanders the neon-drenched corners of the seamy, yet stylish world these characters inhabit.

It’s violent, it’s kinetic, and some ten years on, it still kicks all manner of ass. It’s a great watch, and arguably one of the strongest action films of the 21st century (to date).

I love this series. Reeves is perfect in the role, looks great, and Stahelski knows how to tell his story with the camera, and with the action beats. The stunts are amazing!

I cannot get enough of this movie, and this series. This isn’t something I can just throw on in the background, when it’s on, I’m watching it, it is my whole focus, because the craft that went into this film, and its sequels… stunning.