When “John Wick” debuted in 2014, it wasn’t precisely a mega hit, however the movie was well-received sufficient to achieve a cult following through word-of-mouth. It introduced in $14 million in its first weekend — double what it was projected to make. Not unhealthy for a movie that Selection famous was predicted to be “one other nail in [Keanu Reeves’] profession coffin.” And it was well-earned. “John Wick” felt like a minor evolution within the motion film style, combining a number of strategies and stylistic parts to create one thing that felt authentic but indebted to motion film historical past.

When the movie begins, you are drawn into an affecting depiction of grief, with Reeves’ titular hitman launched as a widower struggling within the wake of his spouse’s demise. Do not get me unsuitable, I do not suppose “John Wick” is a nuanced and insightful exploration of grief, however Reeves shuffling by means of an oppressively sterile trendy house alone, accompanied by little to no rating, is efficient at conveying his loneliness.

The minimal sound design in these moments is, once more, nothing revolutionary, however reveals a sensitivity on the a part of Chad Stahelski and David Leitch. Each shuffle of a mattress cowl, gradual sigh, and footstep dragged throughout tiled flooring demonstrates the first-time administrators’ consciousness of the significance of dynamics. Issues are about to get extraordinarily intense, however that eventual swap is made all of the extra impactful by these quiet opening moments, even when there’s the regrettable “Fridging” aspect — a favourite follow of Christopher Nolan — whereby the useless spouse trope is used to encourage the central male character.

With subsequent movies within the franchise, audiences can be thrown proper into the motion, serving to to emphasise the relentless battle confronted by John Wick, however sacrificing that interaction of tones that made the primary movie so intriguing.