John Wick Chapters 1, 2 and 3— Ben Murchison
John Wick is the action icon of the decade.
The John Wick series, which began in 2014, has revolutionized the action movie genre. If someone asked me what my favorite action movie is, my answer would never change: it will forever be Die Hard. However, the John Wick franchise is ridiculously fun and seems like it supersedes the simplistic action movie label. These films are closer to kung-fu movies – but with lots of guns – and instead of taking advantage of easy opportunities to drop clever one-liners like action flicks of the ’80s and ’90s, Keanu Reeves as Wick uses facial expressions that fit the character perfectly.
It is an extremely rare that each sequel improves upon its predecessor, but that is just what the John Wick films have managed to accomplish. You watch as the simplistic story of a retired assassin seeking revenge for the death of his dog evolves into a larger look inside the world where he operates. After the first two chapters laid the groundwork, 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum is essentially two hours of some of the best continuous action sequences ever put on film. The phrase, “the most fun you’ll have at the movies” was coined for movies like these and they are full of moments that make you cheer or laugh in disbelief at how impressively things are done.
What makes John Wick so endearing is his backstory as a legendary and honorable assassin who gave up the life for love. After losing his wife (Bridget Moynahan) and subsequently the puppy she gifted him, Wick unleashes absolute hell on anyone who is foolish enough to stand against him despite his desire to live a quiet life. While he is able to dispatch countless assailants despite his often-weakened state, typically in creative and visually astonishing ways, he does so while still maintaining a level of realism.
Just as John McClane can take on a tower full of terrorists all on his own and jump off an exploding rooftop with a fire hose tied around his waist, Wick can shoot and fight his way out of dire situations. Even on horseback and chased by motorcycles, John Wick can prevail without doing anything beyond physical possibility and you accept the fact that it is because he is the absolute best. He is the boogeyman.
