John Wick: Best Action Franchise of the 21St Century (thus far)

John Wick: His name alone strikes fear in both underworld gangs (Russian mobsters and their like) and professional-killer peers.

Brilliantly cast, Keanu Reeves plays a one-man killing machine that people refer to as mythological boogieman.

Stuntmen-turned-codirectors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski turn this revenge thriller into a spectacular action-movie circus, with unparalleled stoic panache.

 

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Reeves, always alert, demonstrates facile ability inn handling bullets, elbows, kicks, sharp objects fired at him, all handled with precise reaction, resulting in ever growing mayhem and piles of corpses, which he then leaves behind him.

Surprisingly, the first movie gave birth to a fertile franchise–four so far–complete with eccentric worldbuilding, distinctive look, and unusual sets that include a hospitality industry catering solely to assassins!