After a hiatus from making action movies, Keanu Reeves is returning to the big screen with "John Wick," a revenge thriller directed by David Leitch and co-directed by Chad Stahelski, his "Matrix" stunt double, The Register-Guard has learned.
During its initial release, "John Wick" provided a respite to fans of action movies, especially since the cinematic market is being filled by awards contenders and horror movies, according to Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter.
Reeves plays the title role, John Wick, a retired Russian assassin who is recovering from the loss of his wife, Helen, portrayed by Bridget Moynahan. Helen apparently passes away after suffering long from an illness, igniting the start of Wick's misery.
Wick's fuse melts down when Iosef, played by Alfie Allen, breaks into his house and kills Daisy, a beagle given as a gift by Helen before she died.
Iosef is eventually revealed as the son of Wick's former mob boss, Viggo, played by Michael Nyqvist. When Viggo finds out what Iosef has done, he immediately places a $2 million bounty on the retired Russian assassin's head out of fear for his and his son's life.
Wick's former colleague Marcus, a psychotic sniper played by Willem Dafoe, and Perkins, a deadly female assassin played by Adrianne Palicki, are the first to take the challenge of eliminating him.
Critics agree that "John Wick" is "stylish, thrilling, and giddily kinetic," according to Rotten Tomatoes. "John Wick serves as a satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves -- and what looks like it could be the first of a franchise."
Written by Derek Kolstad, "John Wick," was rated R for its strong and bloody scenes throughout, violent language, and a scene pertaining to drug use, according to IMDb.
"John Wick" was released Friday in the United States.