John Wick Review

John Wick review
For the love of the dog – John Wick

There’s no sight sadder on the silver screen than a dog dying. Kill men and their muse and we, the viewers, can deal with that, but you hurt the dog, you jangle all our nerves! We don’t like to see dogs die, period. Not even in fictional realms.  The coolest action flick of 2014 John Wick reaffirms this fact.

John Wick review

The plot follows a linear revenge trajectory – Keanu Reeves plays John Wick, a grieving widower, an ex-hitman who finds comfort in a Beagle pup Daisy, his late wife’s gift to him. The solace is short-lived when a gang of thugs makes the worst mistake of their lives – killing Daisy.

john wick beagle

‘I lost everything. That dog was a final gift from my dying wife.” – John Wick

A 50-year-old Keanu Reeves (still looking a decade younger) reboots himself in the action genre in dapper black; Neo revisited mode. Alfie Allen reprises his act of a cocky rogue quite like his Theon Greyjoy (Game of Thrones). Only this time the winter indeed comes early on him. Throw in stellar cameos from the likes of Michael Nyqvist, Willem Dafoe and Adrianne Palicki and you get the perfect cocktail.

The directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski have a stunts background and they have stamped their mark in almost every frame with an action choreography that takes on MMA, Max Payne and Matrix move.

With neon-lit clubs, mafia hotels and code of the assassins, the screenplay shows New York in an alternate universe.  What works for John Wick is that it sets it’s ambitions right, far from the best movie of the year but close to the most stylish take on the action genre that you would see on celluloid.

At the heart of all this violence remains a man’s love for his dog. I hope it serves a chilling reminder that you never hurt a man’s (or woman’s) dog.

The dogs in John Wick

In the world of John Wick, where assassins lurk around every corner and violence is a way of life, there is a group of four-legged characters who stand out among the rest: the dogs of John Wick. From his loyal companion Daisy to the fearsome Belgian Malinois from chapter 3, these furry sidekicks have become an integral part of the John Wick franchise, adding an extra layer of intensity and emotion to the series.
 
In the first installment of the franchise, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is seen spending his days mourning the loss of his beloved wife and bonding with his adorable beagle, Daisy. It’s a heartwarming relationship that sets the stage for the tragedy that follows, and when Daisy is brutally killed by Russian gangsters, it sets John Wick on a path of revenge that spans multiple films.
 
Daisy’s death is a pivotal moment in the franchise, and it’s a testament to the filmmakers’ skill that they were able to create such an emotional connection between the audience and a dog. But it’s not just Daisy who steals the show. In John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, we’re introduced to Sofia Al-Azwar (Halle Berry) and her pack of Belgian Malinois, who are trained assassins themselves.
 
halle berry john wick
 
The dogs in John Wick are not just used for shock value or emotional manipulation; they are integral to the story and the characters themselves. John Wick is a man who has lost everything, and his connection to his dogs is one of the few things he has left. This reflection of his own ferocity and loyalty, dogs add an extra layer of depth to his character.
 
But it’s not just the storytelling that makes the dogs of John Wick so compelling. The dogs are trained by expert handlers and stunt coordinators, and their performances are a testament to the skill and dedication of everyone involved.
 
The dogs of John Wick are a fierce and furry force to be reckoned with, adding an extra layer of emotion and intensity to an already thrilling franchise. Whether they’re providing moments of heartwarming connection or heart-stopping action, these four-legged characters have become an integral part of the John Wick universe.

 

Dog in John Wick4 saves John’s life 

In John Wick: Chapter 4, the four-legged characters of the franchise continue to play a vital role, with the introduction of a new canine companion that proves to be a formidable force. Shamier Anderson’s character, Mr. Nobody, is a tracker with a particular interest in killing John Wick only when the bounty is high enough.
dog in john wick 4
The dog in John Wick 4 steals the scenes with his amazing grace and stunt scenes. Five dogs played the role at different points in the shooting. And good news, the dog does not die in John Wick 4.
His dog is a beast, demonstrating remarkable speed, accuracy, and resilience, as it fearlessly takes down enemies with ruthless efficiency. But when one assassin takes aim at the dog, John Wick leaps into action, risking everything to protect the canine.
 
This act of kindness does not go unnoticed by Mr. Nobody, who is surprised to see John prioritising the safety of the dog over his own life. When the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) and his henchmen try to stop John, Nobody hears the dog’s cries and switches allegiances. This scene recognises the deep bond between him and the dog.
 
Watch John Wick 4, now playing in a movie screen near you, Babayaga is back and so are the dogs! 
 

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