when you hire stunt guys to direct the movie

#JohnWick #KeanuReeves #VideoEssay
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Keanu Reeves has reignited his career thanks to the John Wick movie franchise. But this isn't just the story of his comeback. John Wick represents a big win for directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, two career stunt choreographers who made big waves with their debut film. John Wick started as an independent action movie, and has now spawned three major sequels. Here's how Leitch and Stahelski, and of course Keanu Reeves, did it.
Written & edited by Danny Boyd
Interviews:
John Wick - Chad Stahelski and David Leitch interview | Empire Magazine
• John Wick - Chad Stah...
John Wick Interview With David Leitch and Chad Stahelski [HD]
• John Wick Interview Wi...
John Wick (2014) Interview - Chad Stahelski (Director)
• Video
David Leitch & Chad Stahelski - John Wick Interview HD
• David Leitch & Chad St...
Music:
Almost in F by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/3354-almost...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license

[@CinemaStix]

Which of the John Wick movies is your favorite?

[@razahyder8541]

Chapter 3, just like the intensity of him being chased by everyone around him and the knife throwing, motorcycle sword fight and horse chase scene were absolutely incredible!

[@lbwlawyer]

Also Chapter 3, because it was interesting to see Wick work with an equal like Sofia and her amazing doggos

[@Ares_gaming_117]

1st one. i love the simplicity and beauty of it. setting the mysterious world. telling a perfect story. it feels like i can always go back and rewatch it if i need to. they're all great tho. especially the armored fighting scene in 3. but 1 is such a classic.

[@DomskiPlays]

Still the first. Goes like: 1, 4, 2, 3 tbh

[@dragonskunkstudio7582]

Every subsequent movie John Wick becomes more and more indestructible which is a total turn off. With the first one he gets hurt, he bleeds, he recovers, there's no being bounced around by cars and falling and surviving 10 stories.

[@FlawedFabrications]

You know why it was a surprise hit? Because you could tell it was a passion project. They really cared about making the best movie they could. It wasn't just a soulless hollywood churn-out.

[@bakasahara1213]

And I'm so glad the franchise ended (?) In such glorious way. Unlike most of the others.

[@qthestruggler2715]

@@bakasahara1213 He dies at the end. Hollywood better not touch this fucking perfect 4 movie run if they fucking know what’s good for them.

[@Ablayw]

@@qthestruggler2715 You know some people haven’t watched it yet? Like this is a serios spoiler

[@scrubelite4915]

@@qthestruggler2715his death is pretty ambiguous, so I’m not sure he’s dead. Although, “John wick” is now definitely dead, retired for good.

[@camirovi8364]

​@@scrubelite4915 agree at the end in the grave there were some hints too.

[@itsjustme6018]

As a professional hitman who lives in a secret hitman society I applaud this film for its realism and deep analysis on the criminal underworld.

[@bunsw2070]

Unions are nothing but common criminals, so that makes perfect sense.

[@wolfattacker1]

Sureeeee you are

[@YouilAushana]

An end to the means, anyway, anyhow.

[@ShieldYoung]

As a fellow staircase I felt very proud to see my buddy make it to Chapter 4 climax and his performance was Oscar deserving

[@tripptank]

Ya right... What are the odds there'd be two of us in the same comment thread? 🙄

[@the17club-49]

Who knew that in 2014, two first time directors and an actor who needed a career resurrection, would kick off the best action franchise of all time.

[@heisenbergII]

And also forever change the action genre in mainstream films

[@DeepbloodFang]

It's the Die Hard and Lethal Weapon of this generation, and I am all for it, can't wait for it to have it's seasonal marathons in 20-30 years time.

[@RealShaktimaan]

@@heisenbergII Still not making that much money like big mainstream movies. So did it change the action genre?

[@heisenbergII]

@@RealShaktimaan since John wick came out, most action films have been trying to copy the that same stile of gun-fu that John wick has

[@RealShaktimaan]

@@heisenbergII true but it's still not making the type of money blockbuster does like mission impossible or MCU.

[@Atomic2V]

When the "Stunt guys" were better storytellers than most of the self-proclaimed storytellers in Hollywood.

[@PerfectAzrael]

You're giving them too much credit. Come on, bro.

[@albertassalcius5084]

Story tellers? Bro what, t John Wick and storytelling should not be in the same sentence

[@FroschBube]

*action coordinators / directors

[@Civ33]

@@albertassalcius5084 The story was very bare bones to be sure but, let's be honest here, Hollywood scriptwriters have set a VERY low bar in the past few years in terms of quality story writing

[@OhNoTheFace]

@@albertassalcius5084 And there is the butthurt

[@retroforager]

John Wick had all the makings of a classic "underrated and forgetten" movie. I'm so glad that it ended up becoming almost revolutionary in a way. So so so love this series and mission impossible for bringing the action movie genre back to form from the dark depths of taken 3 and die hard 4 etc.

[@tylerdurden788]

Keanu did same thing with the matrix

[@memegazer]

Its funny bc the idea of "gun fu" was used in a movie that basically is underrated and forgotten imo a movie called Equilibrium

[@kingnuggets100]

@@memegazer except equilibrium was really just a matrix copy cat at the time and didn't really offer much in the way of characters and story

[@KillerTacos54]

YESSS agreed!!

[@adityyuh]

John Wick was never deemed to be forgotten by virtue of it's excellent action. It was only misunderstood before it was made completely.

[@austinh7110]

The amount that Reeves has improved his reloads from JW1 to JW4 is insane. Some of them were under a quarter second in the new one

[@Qardo]

Could be played off in the whole story. JW1 he was coming off of being basically retired for years. Kind of lost some steps. Never forgot them. Just needed to retrain. With each chapter (installment?) See him getting back to being what people fear. The Wick of that even the Boogieman sets up Claymores and carries a shotgun to bed.

[@austinh7110]

@@Qardo damn. That makes it so much better. That definitely wasn’t intentional but it would make so much sense.

[@DeepbloodFang]

@@Qardo yeah, muscle memory be like that, and intentional or not, it's awesome.

[@Jakeyisdead]

​@@Qardo after seeing JW4 that's actually what I took away from it as well

[@xeroytchannel]

They’re so fast that in the Arc de Triomphe scene when he comes around the back of a stationary van, I heard him rack the slide but I don’t know if he reloaded or cleared a malfunction.

[@KuntaKinteToby]

Wow I never knew Keanu partially funded the first one himself, this really is his magnum opus as an actor. Also the third time that Keanu has been involved in a movie that revolutionized the Action genre (the previous two times of course being Speed and The Matrix).

[@playgroundchooser]

Only 1/2 kidding, but you may be able to put Point Break on that list. The "bad boy surfer dude" thing.

[@obscure.reference]

how revolutionary really was speed? much bigger argument for point break given that you can attribute the entire fast and furious franchise to it.

[@merasoul6520]

@@obscure.reference FnF is a joke after the first few pls stop

[@EGRJ]

Keanu has a habit of being nice like this. He met Tiger Chen on the Matrix, and directed a Chinese movie about Tiger as the hero. Pretty decent, actually.

[@KuntaKinteToby]

@@obscure.reference I think you should re-watch Speed bro. Speed is a near-perfect action movie with excellent pacing, believable motivations for its characters, solid acting, and most importantly introduced American audiences to the much more fast paced style of action that was booming in Hong Kong cinema during the late 80s and early 90s. There are numerous plot holes and pacing issues with Point Break, I think it is safe to say that Speed did more for the action genre. Which is to say, after Point Break action movies in America didn't change that much. After Speed however? Every action movie after that was trying to recapture the same visceral claustrophobic and fast-paced feel of Speed. A slew of movies came out in 1995 all with clear nods to the production, script writing, and overall break-neck pace of Speed. Rumble in the Bronx, Desperado, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Bad Boys, GoldenEye, Outbreak, Congo, Under Siege 2, Money Train (remake of the movie Speed was inspired by), Assassins, The Net (Sandra Bullock's next after speed), and Johnny Mnemonic (Keanu's next after speed) Clearly some succeeded in doing so better than others, but the intention is still obviously there

[@Nephozx]

All in all, fuck all those studios which clearly lacks the passion. I'm beyond stoked to see Stahelski's talent outside of just stunt directing, but movie directing too, everything simply phenomenal.

[@spartan1010101]

its honestly what Hollywood has been missing for years now, they've been rehashing old ideas for so long they forgot films made with love for the content is better than films made for profit.

[@charliefoster9558]

The camera work in JW 4 was great, my favourite example was a long fight scene where the camera was at a Birds Eye view the whole time and the camera glided slowly from room to room following John as he slaughtered the other guys. It was cool because u could see the whole room he was fighting in and the reactions off all the people onscreen at the same time.

[@jamn610]

Yep that gave me hotline Miami vibes

[@SVOKRAplays]

​@@jamn610 Exactly, glad I'm not the only one who got instantly reminded of HM. The explosive rounds piercing walls were mighty impressive

[@Minestrini]

It was inspired by the game honk Kong massacre

[@pent2]

@@SVOKRAplays well, Hotline Miami and John wick are supposedly in the same universe. Since they're both in Payday 2.

[@angelsunemtoledocabllero5801]

Thats a reference to Spilberg´s Minority Report

[@Ren-zi5zl]

I've always loved how John Wick completely turned around from the usual cinematography and editing of an action-focused film which usually has like 20 different camera angles in one second of Liam Neeson jumping over a fence. You can tell this is directed by people who understand how movement works, and the longer/continuous shots that follow the action around make it SO clean and actually really refreshing to watch.

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

I wish more people were like Keanu. He seems to be a genuine great human being. And from what I read and watched he was on quite the difficult road to become such good and even humble guy.

[@DomskiPlays]

First Wick I saw at the cinema and the place was legit empty with like 4 other people. I took off my shoes and threw up my legs on the seats infront, most comfy movie-going ever

[@ShieldYoung]

I've had my fair share of private screenings like this and even Chapter 4 at my place was not much full but the cheering and hooting felt like housefull

[@gregdavidl647]

……you threw up your legs??

[@KillerTacos54]

Damn straight. John Wick and Mission Impossible are basically singlehandedly carrying mainstream action film franchises. Hope to see more that are filmed, edited and choreographed as elegantly and eloquently as these two!

[@josiahstoehr1297]

What about David Leitch (JW1 co-director) and Matthew Vaughn's films? They're very solid as well.

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

@@josiahstoehr1297i think the comment wasn’t talking about what good action flicks have been made, more so the franchises that are actually still driving positive change and having an influence/effect. The Kingsmen series went downhill with the second (in terms of popularity) and ppl after that clearly didn’t care much about it that much and it wasn’t even able to become a franchise proper. The King’s Men was atrocious. And tbf I love Leitch, but sadly Atomic Blonde was not the hit I wish it had become, because that movie is so awesome.

[@JihadiFemboy]

Chad Stahelski is yet another 🐐showing us why studio execs shouldn't be listened to

[@bunsw2070]

Especially the stunning and brave ones.

[@jtgd]

Chad is a goat 🐐

[@1stWellMate]

So his name is actually chad? Undefeated.

[@JihadiFemboy]

@@1stWellMate Yep

[@JihadiFemboy]

@@bunsw2070 Get a job

[@RSG_TheMonster]

We can just stop and realise that the director's name is actually *CHAD* 😂😂😂

[@v-trigger6137]

he is Gigachad 😎

[@gamert28]

He’s not a Chad…he’s THE Chad

[@pcih6176]

there is a bomb in your neck

[@paulgenevzki2477]

M E T A C H A D

[@rainfall2880]

@@davidjob4909 a great writer and director on top of all that

[@cakedaddyhank7649]

The best part of these movies is how simplistically it started and they had the workings of a beautiful world to get lost in. All started with a simple story. It goes to show you don't need an overly complex story to make something good.

[@itskaptainmikey4399]

I think that what makes John Wick so captivating as a character is how he is awkward when it comes to being civilized but has an extremely high fight IQ and is essentially who he really is when he's killing everyone.

[@jmwmusic5665]

90% of the time, Keanu did his own stunts every time.

[@theunknown4054]

I've always loved the first movie-something about the small details like John wearing his watch upside down to hide the glare from snipers is just so beautifully touching

[@CalebM_]

I agree with the first John Wick movie, although the budget wasn't high, they're still imperfections, and limitations but they managed to pull it off. Making it - as he said "makes it your best"

[@arnowisp6244]

I'm surprised the budget was 20 million.

[@Simon-kc4ml]

John Wick 4 is one of the best action movies I've ever seen.. The idea and execution of JW is such a new take on the tried and tested methods and it's so well done. Also even with the budget constraints the cinematography of every movie is so on point..

[@bombdotcom2168]

Donnie Yen and Keanu Reeves in the same movie is just a recipe for the best action scenes imaginable

[@Jabogers]

@@bombdotcom2168 Let's not forget Sanada Hiroyuki. He always brings a certain gravitas, dignity, and all-around badassery to every single one of his characters. Koji was definitely a highlight during the Osaka segment.

[@bombdotcom2168]

@@Jabogers D E F I N I T E L Y

[@litman5584]

The last John wick had too much action in it, it got repetitive after a while

[@invalid_420]

​@@litman5584 action? in my john wick movie?

[@Shiftarus]

Who knew that the crew and cast who spent their entire lives learning and working would have such good insight on making quality films!

[@TheParadiseParadox]

I often find it hard to follow action scenes, especially when there are a lot of cuts. every time they cut it's hard to follow. in some way it sends the message that, this isn't actually happening. I'm going to watch John Wick again and look out for the details, the long takes and the choreography thanks for the video, God bless

[@athul03]

The continuity in John Wick action scenes is just sublime. Proof that you don't need slow motion to create a series of action scenes

[@ewfwefwefwef]

dame you are some slow minded

[@potterfanz6780]

This video convinced me to go watch it, I'm about to experience it for the first time. I've heard of the dead dog and seen a few gifs of it, but now I'm gonna watch it for myself.

[@B1gBoyPants]

@potterfanz I’m just sending this so I can hear what you think after you watch it.

[@deanhollis8983]

If you like easily followable incredible action scenes, I'm not even kidding watch the live action Aquaman movie

[@irifhir]

I love this concept of "gun fu". The choreography reminds me of "gun kata" from equilibrium, which was the best part of that movie.

[@MrPur3d]

my favorite was the first and the fourth. the first was so deep and personal, and the creativity of camera and choreography in the 4th was beautiful

[@NelsonStJames]

"The industry doesn't put its faith in first time directors. . . " The industry also doesn't put its faith into good screenwriters, or original ideas. In fact the moment John Wick became a successful franchise the original creators were "not called back" to continue with the series.

[@toreyzyre]

That's not true at all. Chad's been the director for all of them, Derek Kolstad the writer for them as well and the guy who created the whole idea.

[@NelsonStJames]

@@toreyzyre Better check again. Derek Kolstad has been quite vocal about "not being called back" ( his words) for John Wick 4 & 5. He's wishing the franchise well, and is on good terms with everyone, but it was not his decision to no longer be a part of the franchise. That''s Hollywood for you.

[@wangfoo2693]

@@NelsonStJames a director is much more important than a writer for these kinds of movies. Let’s be honest. No one really gives a shit about the writing in a John wick movie. They’re in it for the guns and hardcore action scenes. Even john wick 1 the story was nothing special. It’s just a badass action packed, but the story is very simple. A badass MC with insane plot armor plowing down a bunch of nameless cannon fodder. You don’t need a genius writer for something like that.

[@elmohead]

​@@NelsonStJames It's not hard to write for JW movies. . Someone kills the dog. Fight. Everyone after you. Fight. Etc etc.

[@fakename287]

@@NelsonStJames so first it was "not called back as soon as it became a franchise" and now you change it to "not called back for 4 and 5" So which one is it?

[@moviesaredope]

7:05 this is the greatest, most low-key joke I'm gonna hear on KZbin all day 😂 bravo

[@CinemaStix]

:)

[@richmondboahene6536]

These guys have made the best action movie ever

[@frithnanth1337]

another superb video ! I watched the first one propably 7 times and i will continue to show it to everyone i meet that has not seen it xD

[@CinemaStix]

Thanks! Yeah, we’re big Keanu fans in our house.

[@UrCheckMate]

You go buddy..I would do the same

[@nanodesu9031]

That is why watching john wick doesnt fill like watching a hollywood movie. It got flairs here and there like every western movie but the way it was shot feels like watching an asian movie (jackie chan's movie) and japanese anime. Wide angle shot and the cuts is so seamless that you wouldnt even notice it. No camera shake nor multiple cuts from a single jump (pointing at you taken). That is why the movie feels so engaging and emersive.

[@frogambassador]

08:46 “yeah” - John Wick - Danny Boyd

[@CinemaStix]

Who needs real conclusions… :)

[@saliuarts]

I liked what he said : the imperfections and limitations of making the first one is what makes it unique and special

[@hossbeki9266]

Everbody loves the first one ,on john wick 4 they went all action but it's feels like anything you have not seen before

[@rololoy2]

Derek Kolstad who wrote the first 3 JW and world building deserves as much praise as the directors and Keanu.-

[@MrWigglesWorth]

I always find it laughable when people say Keanu isn't really that good of an actor cause he doesn't have a ton of range in the kind of personalities he plays. Its like saying Michael Jordan isn't much of an athlete cause his baseball career never took off. Reeves is pretty much unmatched in terms of actually going out and learning physical skills that a character is supposed to have, so that he can bring a higher level of authenticity to the movie. John Wick simply doesn't work unless the lead actor is willing to spend months running shooting drills and already has a decent martial arts background and is physically fit enough to do long fight sequences.

[@AaronQ64]

I think #1 is the best one too. It had so much good story telling and soul to it.

[@therealsteel1634]

Yea I think the 4th might be a little bit better tho but that's just me

[@Rozza2k]

Films like John wick prove Hollywood need to take more chances with new directors

[@ewfwefwefwef]

and not woke

[@Rozza2k]

@@ewfwefwefwef yeah but I don't think anyone should get a job based on there beliefs regardless of what they are, should be about the talent and end product

[@StrengthScholar0]

​​@@ewfwefwefwefBruh, You do understand that you're a part of the problem as well right? It is so annoying to have someone politicize literally everything. It's just as vapid and off-putting as woke culture. You're just the other side of the snowflake coin. I want you to watch the video, read the comment you responded to and ask yourself what drove you to think this was the time to bring up politics. Keep your pathological obsession to yourself.

[@MadScientist512]

Shows how working smart can make something with the budget of a modern Steven Seagal movie not just look like but become a Hollywood blockbuster, instead of..a modern Seagal movie. It also shows how stunt men and choreographers have to understand all aspects of movie making to craft a truly great action sequence, so it's great they're finally starting to get the recognition they deserve, and more of them having greater influence in movie making could positively change the industry, and maybe even fix the generic nature of final superhero showdowns.

[@AzimuthPrime]

I hadn't heard about the movie, I went to the theater knowing nothing, just that Keanu Reeves is in it and those first 10 minutes had me just wondering what he's playing.... then the kid wanted to buy his car and after that it got really dark and I just thought "I hope to god this kid suffers, if it was me I'd set the whole world on fire to find him...." then John Wick does just that, kills everyone in his way, consequences be damned and I honestly felt really satisfied because the whole movie the kid's workd is just pulled apart, all his protection demishes little by little until its just him and Wick... and the thing I thought was a nice touch how John doesn't even take a moment to even say something to him before or even after he's been shot... he just ends him and walks away. I wanted more 😅

[@ghostrider2664]

I have to say, Keanu has come so damn far in his abilities in the film industry. To be honest, at first, I didn't like him. I thought he couldn't act. I still think he couldn't act when he started. But now, completely different. He's great. And I think his choices in roles has been absolutely perfect over the years. He's very smart in that. I congratulate him on an awesome career, doing what he loves. Life just doesn't get better than that.

[@wildwilco]

when alot of major studios turn down your movie, you know its going to be a banger.

[@ibear2554]

Thanks for these, Danny. I think you encapsulate what we love about movies. Especially on the creative side.

[@CinemaStix]

Hey, thank you for watching them! I’m just so happy to be able to share this stuff with other people!

[@mrstardian]

I love that we can see how absolutely amazing the John Wick films are just because the director Chad Stahelski was and is a stuntman. His John Wick films and future action films are SO GOOD, and one of the reasons is because Chad understands action and stunts so well. Because, yk... hes a professional stuntman too!

[@KensanOni]

Honestly, the JW series has some of the best stunt performance and ballet ever caught on film, and I think we have been very lucky that John Wick exists.

[@madeincanada5307]

I suppose the first and fourth but I have rewatched part three the most. The first and last 25 minutes are fantastic. Part 4 is a juggernaut I am still digesting it, but very well could be one of the greatest actions films ever made. One was so good in building the character for half the film before the action really starts and that type of proper foundation and world building is just the stuff that makes movies worth watching. Part one was such a pleasant surprise for many people,I think that feeling and memory just can't be replicated .

[@Will_Parker]

Wick is proof that even in the modern day you don't need huge box office numbers to be successful, you just need to be good and people will eventually buy into it.

[@nostalgiaprobe]

Everyone loves Keanu. I remember 2016 pictures of him on train started popping up, and started becoming really popular and adored in Gen Z circles, for his down to earth personality and good character. Many people don't realise that part of what makes a superstar is perception..and that's why in the 90s the 'bigger' actors would almost always have a bigger public presence.

[@TWFarr]

I was lucky enough to get to work with David Leitch for the last few months. He was an awesome director to work for.

[@chidubemnwaohiri113]

Most Studio Execs know nothing about making movies just money and that's why some of them miss out on great projects.

[@karlieakaike3311]

"Can't tell a story?" Any human being can tell a story, and everyone's got a story to tell. The fact that it's pitched by stuntmen means it's guaranteed to be a spectacle, but it's not guaranteed to be a great story. Writers can't even guarantee a good story anymore, so it was actually a decent pitch.

[@GingerZombie29]

If nothing else, the action is shot beautifully. No five cuts per second, camera shaking and close shots.

[@alexisdalmeida2147]

It's time for the Oscars to recognize stunt coordination.

[@MrSony9933]

Don't forget Keeanu's fantastic acting and action 😊

[@Moridin69]

Seeing the behind the scenes vs the film really shows the power of colour correction

[@aradzakifirdaus3808]

"But i'm not really killing them they're like in my way" Perfect way to describe how john wick fights in the movies

[@Rugoll]

Nice, I didn't know about this. Watching this video as I'm going to the cinema to watch Chapter 4. Hyped!!

[@CinemaStix]

Ah. Jealous. I haven’t made it to the theater yet.

[@Rugoll]

Damn, that was epic movie

[@KinkyLettuce]

I am so glad they fought for this

[@Zenniverse]

I actively tried seeking out a video like this a week ago and there was nothing like it. So glad you made this because I definitely thought there must have been a story here.

[@G59METH]

Crazy to think that this movie that was refused by so many studios yet directly influenced so many things in the past 10 years from giving Keanu's career a second breath, spawning a massive franchise with new John Wick "clones" releasing almost every year, to creating one of the best action movie directors of the past decade who made movies like Deadpool 2, Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde and soon to be released The Fall Guy...

[@nltk93]

Just watched John WIck 4 yesterday. I still think the first one is the best.

[@28lisa]

Great video! I'm going back to the cinema for a second time to watch the 4th because I think it deserves it. I loved every aspect and detail of the movie, the cast, the fights (every fight I thought it was the best one, only to be blown away by the next one), the soundtrack, the sets and the lights, and I could go on for hours. Considering it's a mid budget movie, it really shows how passion can make great things.

[@darkestknightishere]

It is worth 2nd and 3rd time, I will be going as well.

[@28lisa]

@@darkestknightishere definitely, I’m planning to go a third time if they are still showing it here where I live

[@guiraus]

John Wick is prove that you don't need a convoluted story with 20 big name actors. You only need a great premise and the perfect actor for the job.

[@seinfan9]

I recall the first time seeing John Wick, I was amazed at the ingenuity, scope, and fluidity of how they combined CQC with the gun fights. Most movies will just have the people standing in one place shooting or perhaps in a moving vehicle.

[@jimbridgewater2471]

such great videos man really been great for developing my own style

[@CinemaStix]

Thanks! What’s your stuff?

[@lewistaylor6226]

caught this vid at 28 seconds on release love your work it has inspired me to get into film making

[@lewistaylor6226]

bonus thing too im watching and it has no views currently

[@CinemaStix]

That’s amazing! What aspects of filmmaking are you interested in?

[@lewistaylor6226]

@@CinemaStix well i had always had interests in music so I have been studying music composition for films for the past 6 months

[@CinemaStix]

Oh dang. That’s fantastic. What style of music? Like, electronic, orchestral? I have a video coming up in a couple weeks somewhat on the topic.

[@lewistaylor6226]

@@CinemaStix more in the orchestral area but I'm trying to learn both

[@sharksNstuff2029]

I was living in middle of nowhere Utah for a summer. Took a job out of desperation and was across a country from any family and hating it more with each passing week. The one silver lining was the local movie theater was $5 and I just watched as many movies as I could. That was the summer JW1 hit and I instantly loved it and shared it with whoever I could. I think it's now a toss up between 3 and 4 for my favorite but they're all fantastic in their own way

[@forest3335]

great writing and production, everything

[@divitgoyal4498]

Literally my favourite channel on KZbin

[@CinemaStix]

That’s very, very kind :) But what’s your second favorite? -Danny

[@divitgoyal4498]

@@CinemaStix gotta be @storytellers1

[@CinemaStix]

Ooh, nice!

[@threemooseqateers9689]

glad this movie succeeded! not just because of the movie itself, but because it's success allowed for Bullet Train, which is easily my favorite action comedy of all time.

[@Rekaert]

I remember reading a basic synopsis for the first movie, and after seeing that a hitman goes on the rampage after his dog gets killed, I figured it would be the worst schlocky crap ever made. Because his dog died, seriously? Then I watched it, and was blown away by how much emotional weight they put behind the dog dying, not just because it's a dog, but because it's the last living memory of his recently deceased wife. The guy goes from being a walking corpse to opening up and loving again, only to have that torn from him, and they nailed it. That scene where Vigo is incredulously shouting at John that it's just a dog is brilliant. John's response is full of so much anger and grief, that even Vigo is shocked, to the point where he knows that either John dies, right then and there, or everyone gets wasted.

[@ador7572]

Keanu being a hitman killing bad guys over a puppy is a no brainer for a hit movie.

[@heintjedelosreyes8341]

Former stuntsman are the best action movies directors....

[@BennyTheGenerous]

Amazing video as always man!

[@CinemaStix]

Thanks for checking it out! -Danny

[@anonimus370]

"Keanu does anything" is now a great pitch.

[@fragr33f74]

It's nice to see good craft getting the success it deserves

[@FreshTillDeath56]

This is a GREAT video. Well done indeed.

[@CinemaStix]

:)

[@TrilainaBloodwind]

The first Deadpool movie was directed by a stunt director as well. I think that if you're doing an action movie, it might be a good idea to let the guy who knows how to get action shots to direct the action moments in the movie xD

[@punishedsneed]

A focused, detailed, brilliant vision. It's simple at the start. John has his two basic motivations: His wife is gone and no longer keeping him from that life, and the one thing he has to keep him company as he grieves is brutally taken in front of him. John then uses his very special skills to kill and fight his way to revenge to avenge this final spit in the face. It's simple but focused and even stylish in certain ways. There's a grim humor to it. It was just that good.

[@nightcrauler1]

spectacular work as always Danny

[@EdoFinesse]

Great video man, a lot of stuff I never knew about a movie series I will be watching for the rest of my life, like Star Wars or Die Hard. Definitely subscribed

[@CinemaStix]

That’s fantastic! I’ve shed any new light at all on a thing people enjoy, then I’ve done my job :) Also welcome! -Danny

[@RAIZ0R1211]

i love how JW has totally changed the action movie genre for the better, and hwo the JW franchise has become a "get together" of all the action greats like Donnie Yen and the actors from the raid

[@frebbbreeze2841]

Props to these guys for understanding the value of pre-prod and getting crew in early.

[@volofant]

What I like about this movie is they reintroduced the long-cut camera movement. Most action scenes always have frequent cuts to many angles that make it so jarring. Take that one scene in Taken where Liam Neeson tries climbing up a fence... that's what I'm talking about. Compared to the action scenes in John Wick, not only can you see what the characters are doing, but also witness it most smoothly.

[@yvanmanicad926]

Yipeee, here again for a Great Video

[@CinemaStix]

:D

[@chriswho4232]

Another great video as per usual! 👏 keep up the good work.

[@SwitchbackCh]

Watching this was a joy, reminds me alot of the late Monty Oum's work. He was an animator, not a stunt guy, but he was also a huge anime and martial arts fan and all of that showed through his fight animations and his last work, RWBY. Watching this video reminded me of how unique his worldview and work ethic really was, and the sheer difference RWBY underwent after his loss - it was like if you took away the stunt people from John Wick and put the franchise in the hands of the usual Hollywood directors - it was never gonna be the same, despite my optimism.

[@comment_deleted]

This is such a great channel.

[@CinemaStix]

:)

[@andynachos2045]

Amazing.

[@ChilsonTV]

"because of all the limitations, because of all the imperfections, that's what makes it the best"

[@JHorvathCinema]

You could definitely see how much work and passion went into JW. Everything was so tight and intentional, I would say the budget constraints probably played a key role in the films success.

[@lightartis228]

same way they toughed about actual fighters being bad at fighting scenes in the movie only to have Chuck Norris and Benny The Jet having no problem to keep up with legendary action actors

[@Soloisbac]

So basically everyone was super passionate and involved that it became impossible for the movie to flop

[@albo85juan]

Second video I've seen on the channel. Subscribed!

[@CinemaStix]

Welcome! A lot more here. And lots more incoming :) -Danny

[@vincentnguyen7651]

Stunt Choreographers have the best eye in action movies.

[@ytunnuyt]

As if there was any doubt that Keanu Reeves is our lord and saviour, turns out without him we wouldn't have the John Wick franchise

[@lebiquo8501]

every video another gem I´m Robin Horn thank you for making

[@CinemaStix]

:)

[@Madmax45247]

I'm with the director. The first John Wick was the best as a whole. They didn't have to make any more and that movie could have stood on its own as one of the best action movies ever made.

[@sladewilson4823]

3:32 seeing David Leitch wearing that cap gave me Vietnam flashbacks of special agent Terry Bogard

[@noturmum7967]

As someone who isn't your mom I can confirm that I am, indeed, John Wick