JOHN WICK

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This film is a classic example of Stylish Tosh.  Or, to be more generous, Very Stylish Tosh.

The action and fight sequences are beautifully shot and choreographed, so much so that I wasn't bored by them.  But then again I was never excited or thrilled by them either.  They were just nice to look at.  There is no dramatic tension in them because we know John Wick will survive, because he is the protagonist and because he seems almost superhuman.  

This is a revenge narrative, which I normally enjoy, but here our hero is seeking vengeance because his dog was killed.  True, the dog in question was a from-the-grave gift from his recently deceased wife.  But by the end of the film, when dozens of people have died, including a good friend of John's, you do have to ask yourself whether it was all worth it. 

Not that anyone in this film would ask themselves such a question because they all must obey the unwritten rules of their world.  A world which is a predominantly male one, so I would argue that there is a lot of Toxic Masculinity on display here.

Except that would be to take it too seriously.  It's intended to be escapist fun, which it is, up to a point. 

Keanu Reeves looks great, and Michael Nyqvist does well as a Russian crime boss.  On the other hand, Willem Dafoe is miscast and wasted as John's friend Marcus.

At least, at around 100 minutes, the film doesn't outstay its welcome.

RATING: ✓ Cheers

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