5 ways that John Wick made action films cool again

Brought to you by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“People keep asking if I'm back and I haven't really had an answer. But now, yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!”

John Wick was one of the surprise hits of 2014 so we couldn't be more excited about the upcoming sequel. The original film was a straight-shooting actionfest that was a bloody enjoyable watch. The story of the vengeful ex-hitman caught the imagination of fans because it did the basics very, very well. Here’s why we loved it.

1. It’s a simple story

There’s a brilliant simplicity to John Wick that’s a world away from many modern action flicks. It doesn’t bother with convoluted plot twists, politics or pseudo-science. Here’s the plot: Some bad guys kill a random guy's dog and steal his car. But it turns out that they picked the wrong random guy to piss off. That’s it. Done. Cue the action. We know everything we need to know and we’re ready for some gun-totting carnage.

2. The old school action formula

Lots of today’s action films hedge their bets. They try to be post-modern, serve up their action with a side of irony, or throw in a knowing wink to the camera. Everyone in John Wick plays it straight, although there is a dark undercurrent of humour. This film is a straightforward revenge flick that builds up the tension as we wait for Wick to blow. It's hard not to get a little bit giddy when he finally unleashes the beast.

3. The fight sequences

Wick is a force of nature in a sharp suit, executing anyone who gets in his way with an impressive economy of effort. There’s a brutal efficiency to the way Wick doles out death and the fight sequence in the club is a thing of beauty. A film like this lives or dies by its fight sequences but its grunting punch ups and gun fu action never disappoints. It also ditches the nauseating shaky-cam shots that have become a plague on modern action films.

4. It creates its own universe

John Wick creates an underworld that’s populated by killers and assassins who are bound their own rules and etiquette. The film's eccentric characters include Willem Dafoe as Wick’s mentor, Michael Nyquist as a mob boss and Adrianne Palicki as a psychotic hitwoman. This is a world where lethal hitmen hang out in a stylish hotel/safehouse and have their own currency of special gold coins. Needless to say, sharp tailoring is a pre-requisite in this stylised, noirish universe. John Wick: Chapter Two will expand on this roster of memorable characters and it'll be exciting to see what Ruby Rose, Laurence Fishburne and Common bring to the party.

5. A return to form for Keanu

Reeves is sometimes ridiculed as an actor but there are certain roles that are tailor-made for him. Speed and The Matrix spring to mind. Do you need a strong, silent type who can kick ass and retain an air of mystery while doing it? Then Keanu is your man. Reeves brings his unique brand of stoical intensity to the role. His John Wick is a man who doesn’t waste words and only ever seems to be an inciting incident away from burning down everything within a three mile radius. Keanu Reeves will return in John Wick: Chapter Two, which also stars Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose and Ian McShane. The film is a 16 Cert and it hits Irish cinemas on 17 February, with preview screenings available on Valentine's Day.  https://youtu.be/LZrX9mffH8Y Brought to you by Warner Bros. Pictures.