Well everyone, I have to admit, you were absolutely right about John Wick. This 2014 action film is truly awesome, and it’s a cinematic experience I should have had much sooner. It wasn’t that I was avoiding John Wick or its sequels; life simply got in the way. But when the John Wick double feature popped up on sale, your enthusiastic recommendations convinced me to finally take the plunge.
And my very first impression? It’s probably the same as many others: That heartbreaking puppy scene!
Even knowing it was coming, the moment John received that adorable beagle puppy, Daisy, as a final gift from his recently departed wife, hit me hard. As an animal lover, watching that puppy look up at John was incredibly touching, especially knowing what was about to happen. Thankfully, that initial scene with Daisy was brief, because I’m not sure I could have handled much more emotional setup before the inevitable tragedy struck. For those unfamiliar, the film opens with a wounded John Wick crashing a car before flashing back a few days to his wife’s funeral. Through poignant flashbacks, we see glimpses of happier times – anniversary celebrations, romantic dates, culminating in his wife’s heartbreaking collapse and passing in the hospital, presumably from cancer.
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) reflecting on memories with his late wife in John Wick 2014, before receiving a puppy as a gift.
That very evening, Daisy the puppy arrives, accompanied by a letter from his wife explaining her wish for him to learn to love again and to avoid loneliness. John begins adjusting to his new life with Daisy when a chance encounter with some Russian gangsters at a gas station changes everything. Iosef, played by Alfie Allen (known to many as Theon Greyjoy from Game of Thrones), becomes fixated on John’s classic Ford Mustang, persistently asking to buy it. John firmly refuses, but Iosef’s spoiled entitlement takes over. That night, Iosef and his cronies break into John’s home, brutally assault him, and in a senseless act of cruelty, kill the innocent puppy. This horrific act ignites the fuse of the entire film, unleashing the dormant fury of John Wick, once the most feared assassin in the criminal underworld, and, crucially, a former associate of Iosef’s father. Five years prior, John had sought to leave his deadly profession for love. His employer, Victor, consented, but only after John completed an “impossible task” – eliminating all of Victor’s enemies in a single night. Having accomplished this, John retreated into peaceful retirement, until Iosef’s fateful decision.
This narrative hook – the foolish criminal who provokes a legendary, retired figure – is a story trope I consistently enjoy, and John Wick (2014) executes it perfectly. John’s quest for vengeance unveils a surprisingly sophisticated underworld, where assassins operate by their own code, using unique gold coins as currency. “Cleaning up bodies” is euphemistically termed “dinner reservations,” and exclusive hotels, like the Continental in New York City, cater specifically to this clandestine society. The Continental operates under one absolute rule: no “business” can be conducted on hotel grounds. Even confronting a target in the lobby is forbidden, with severe repercussions for any violation. This element of a hidden world coexisting alongside our own is fascinating and adds a layer of intrigue to the film. Access to this world, and its privileges, is dictated by those gold coins – no coins, no entry.
The unique gold coin currency used in the assassin underworld of John Wick (2014).
Anticipating John’s inevitable wrath, Victor places a $2 million bounty on his head, specifically approaching Marcus, John’s former mentor, to carry out the hit. Marcus accepts, seemingly agreeing to eliminate John. However, Marcus is playing a different game. Instead of killing John, he subtly protects him, intervening to prevent other assassins from succeeding. This includes thwarting Ms. Perkins’ attempt to assassinate John within the Continental, even though Victor offered double the bounty for breaking the hotel’s sacred rule. Ms. Perkins ultimately pays the price for her transgression (and for murdering another assassin within the hotel), with Winston, the Continental’s owner, permanently revoking her membership.
After dismantling much of Victor’s criminal empire, John confronts him, demanding the location of his son, Iosef, under the pretense that this will end his vendetta. But even after John successfully eliminates Iosef, Victor betrays the agreement. He confronts Marcus, revealing his knowledge of Marcus’s betrayal and, after brutal torture, murders him. This act reignites John’s fury, prompting him to turn back for one final, explosive confrontation. By the time Victor is dealt with, the narrative circle is complete, returning to the opening scene of John wounded by the waterfront. He seeks refuge and medical aid at a veterinary clinic. In a poignant moment of redemption and hope, before leaving, John rescues a pit bull puppy scheduled for euthanasia, taking him home – a scene that, once again, melted my heart.
John Wick finds solace and companionship with a new puppy at the end of the action-packed film John Wick (2014).
As the credits rolled, I was completely captivated by John Wick (2014) and immediately grateful that I had also purchased the sequel. One of the most compelling aspects of the film is the almost mythical reputation of John Wick himself. Whenever his name is mentioned, the universal reaction is a simple, yet telling, “Oh.” This single word encapsulates the fear and respect he commands within the underworld, a theme that continues throughout the subsequent films. The action is relentless and expertly choreographed, offering little respite once the violence erupts.
In conclusion, John Wick is undeniably an outstanding film and a benchmark for modern action cinema. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series and highly recommend experiencing the visceral thrill of John Wick (2014).
