Underdeveloped "John Wick" Storyline Showcases Violence Just For The Sake Of Violence

DETROIT (WWJ) - An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. That's the basis of the new movie, John Wick, starring Keanu Reeves in the title role.

While it's good to see Reeves back on the big screen, he would have been better served waiting for a different project. While violence in action flicks isn't anything new or unusual, John Wick relies on it, as opposed to using it for emphasis or to make a point.

Wick -- played by Reeves -- is leading a rather low-key lifestyle in New Jersey when he's approached by a mobster about buying his prized 1969 Boss Mustang. When he refuses, the mobster and his henchmen break into Wick's house and steal the car, attacking Wick and killing his beloved puppy in the process.

That sets Wick off and he goes on a killing spree. While this movie had so much potential, there's just too much violence just for the sake of violence and the storyline could have -- and should have -- been developed more.

Also stars Willem Dafoe as Wick's longtime friend, Marcus; Ian McShane, Alfie Allen and Adrianne Palicki.

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