The John Wick movies have gained popularity for several reasons. Firstly, they introduced a unique concept to the action genre, revolving around a retired hitman drawn back into the criminal underworld. This premise, combined with elements of revenge and the enigmatic world of assassins, intrigued audiences and set the movies apart.
Another significant factor contributing to their popularity is the exceptional quality of the action sequences. The action scenes in John Wick are renowned for their realistic portrayal, precise choreography, and high-energy intensity. These sequences often showcase a variety of martial arts techniques, including judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and gun fu—a style that blends gunplay with hand-to-hand combat. The filmmakers collaborate with skilled stunt performers and martial artists to bring authenticity and excitement to the action scenes, which resonates with action enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the movies exhibit a strong attention to detail and world-building. John Wick’s universe features its own set of rules and codes, creating a sense of depth and intrigue. This meticulous world-building, combined with stylish cinematography and Keanu Reeves’ captivating performance as the titular character, further contributes to the movies’ appeal.
Recently, the director of John Wick appeared as a guest on the Joe Rogan Experience, and the two discussed Keanu’s training for the movies.
“So there’s so much going on in those movies physically that you need to be proficient in the gun stuff, the throws, jiu-jitsu, striking—everything,” Joe Rogan remarked, with the director adding:
“Jiu-jitsu is a new thing for him. It’s probably not the most physically demanding, but you know it is. You’re used to using your hands and feet. I mean, I’m sure you remember the first time he trained jiu-jitsu.”
“And only recently, even for me, I’m starting to feel like, ‘Oh, I can move.’ It feels just as good to be on my back as on my butt, you know? But I think we took a lot of inspiration from dance. Most of what we do is dance-based on dance drills.”
“They’re not based on martial art drills. They may look like martial arts—kicking, punching—but we don’t train the actors on Thai pads or focus mitts or heavy bags. We might do a little of that for impact stuff, but it’s mostly about memory. Because if a guy can punch or kick, that’s great. But if you can’t remember five moves, you’re not much good.”
“And it’s more about martial arts being action-reaction or causing the guy to be off balance. All our guys are trained to keep him on balance, to make it look crazy, but they have to dance with him. Hmm. So it’s about that metronome, keeping the rhythm going. When we trained him, he had been trained that way before.”
