Why John Wick is the Best Movie of the Decade
If you are looking for a movie that delivers non-stop action, thrilling stunts, stylish visuals, and a compelling story, look no further than John Wick. This 2014 film starring Keanu Reeves as a legendary hitman who comes out of retirement to seek revenge against the men who killed his dog and stole his car has become one of the most successful and influential action franchises of the 21st century. Here are some reasons why John Wick is the best movie of the decade.
1. It revitalized Keanu Reeves' career.
Keanu Reeves is one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood, but before John Wick, he was going through a slump. His previous films such as 47 Ronin , The Day The Earth Stood Still , and The Lake House had underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. John Wick changed that by showcasing Reeves' strengths as an actor: his charisma, his physicality, his dedication to training and performing his own stunts, and his ability to convey emotion with minimal dialogue. Reeves became an action icon once again after playing John Wick, earning praise from fans and critics alike. He also proved that he can still carry a franchise at age 56.
2. It created a unique and immersive world.
One of the most distinctive features of John Wick is its mythology of a secret criminal underworld with its own rules and rituals. The film introduces us to fascinating concepts such as The Continental Hotel , a safe haven for assassins; The High Table , a council of crime lords that governs this world; The Marker , a blood oath that cannot be refused; The Adjudicator , an enforcer of The High Table's laws; and many more. These elements add depth and intrigue to the story, making us want to learn more about this world and its characters.
3. It redefined action filmmaking.
John Wick is widely regarded as one of the greatest action films ever made because of its innovative and impressive action sequences . The film was directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch , former stuntmen who worked with Reeves on The Matrix trilogy . They brought their expertise in martial arts , gun fu , car chases , knife fights , horseback riding , motorcycle combat , swordplay , dog attacks , and more to create stunning scenes that are both realistic and stylized . They also used long takes , wide shots , practical effects , minimal CGI , and clear editing to showcase their choreography and their performers' skills . They influenced many other action films such as Atomic Blonde , Extraction , Nobody , Gunpowder Milkshake , etc.
4. It spawned a successful franchise.
John Wick was a sleeper hit in 2014, grossing $86 million worldwide on a $20-$30 million budget . It received positive reviews from critics who praised its style, action, performances, soundtrack, cinematography, editing, etc . It also gained a cult following among fans who appreciated its homage to classic action films such as Point Blank (1967), Le Samouraï (1967), Hard Boiled (1992), etc . Due to its popularity, it spawned three sequels: John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019), and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) . Each sequel expanded the scope and scale of the story while maintaining its quality and consistency . The franchise has grossed over $600 million worldwide so far .
5. It inspired other media.
John Wick's impact goes beyond cinema . It has inspired other media such as video games (e.g., Fortnite ), comic books (e.g., John Wick ), TV shows (e.g., Barry ), podcasts (e.g., How Did This Get Made? ), memes (e.g., "Yeah... I'm thinking I'm back" ), etc . It has also generated merchandise such as toys (e.g., Funko Pop! ), clothing (e.g., suits ), accessories (e.g., coins ), etc . It has become part of pop culture lexicon .
So,
John Wick is not just another action movie . It is an artistic masterpiece that combines superb storytelling with breathtaking spectacle . It is a tribute to genre cinema that transcends its influences . It is a phenomenon that captivates millions of fans around the world . It is simply the best movie of the decade