PLOT: Witness the never-before-seen footage and story behind the John Wick phenomenon, starring Keanu Reeves – from impartial movie to billion-dollar franchise.
REVIEW: There are few issues that I get pleasure from greater than the behind-the-scenes featurettes of a beloved movie/franchise. They exist to offer the viewer a lot extra data and supply extra context behind one thing that they love. And few do it higher than Wick is Ache, the definitive have a look at the John Wick movie franchise.
Wick is Ache follows the manufacturing course of and impression of the primary 4 John Wick movies. With growth being probably the most attention-grabbing features of those, there’s loads of time spent on the primary John Wick. It’s actually stunning to see how shut the movie was to by no means taking place, with cameras rolling the complete time. It’s completely fascinating and simply my favourite side. Although a part of me needs we received Eva Longoria’s facet to her funding the remainder of what was wanted on the movie.
You possibly can’t speak about John Wick with out speaking Keanu Reeves, and Wick is Ache reveals why he has such a stellar repute. I misplaced monitor of the variety of instances that Reeves was sick throughout manufacturing, but he powered via and labored intense motion choreography anyway. It’s by no means been extra evident that the John Wick character wouldn’t exist with out Reeves, as no different actor may even sustain with half the extraordinary routine that’s required, whereas holding the star energy that Reeves does. His perseverance units an incredible instance for a crew that holds themselves to the very best of requirements.
As a lot because the documentary is concerning the Wick collection, it’s framed via the profession of director, Chad Stahelski. It’s a pleasant little historical past lesson, which reveals the unlikelihood of his directorial profession and the way he managed to get John Wick made as his first movie. However what’s most spectacular is how susceptible Chad permits himself to be portrayed. He doesn’t shrink back from the truth that the primary movie brought about a separation from his spouse, solely to reconcile and finally get divorced throughout the manufacturing of the second movie. This added context actually helps to indicate the sacrifices which are made for the love of the movie and why it’s not at all times about what finally ends up on display screen. And it units this aside from different seems on the filmmaking course of which serve extra as fluff (although don’t get me unsuitable, there’s loads of that too).
There’s at all times been a little bit of thriller round David Leitch co-directing the primary movie (uncredited, as DGA pointers would solely permit one director), and this doc utterly takes purpose at it. We get an unflinching have a look at their course of, the screaming matches they’d get to on set, and the way a lot it stressed the crew. As nice of mates as the 2 are, it’s clear that they gained’t ever be working collectively in a co-directing capability ever once more. Each Chad and David have sturdy inventive visions which might make repeating the method an impossibility. However their continued working relationship serves as one other lesson to not let inventive variations get private.
I gained’t deny that there are some issues that are glossed over, however that’s the character of overlaying a collection that has spanned a decade. They acknowledge that “it was a different team behind Chapter 4” with out actually going into the nasty particulars. Trilogy author Derek Kolstead was changed by writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, and it’s not likely delved into. If something, the doc reveals Kolstead as the proper steward for Wick. Kolstead’s involvement with the doc reveals that there should not be arduous emotions there and one has to hope he’ll be again for Chapter 5. It’s simply odd to get a lot different data, however pass over one thing that has lengthy been speculated about.
General, Wick is Ache is a loving tribute to John Wick and all who made it what it was. You’ll by no means have a look at the franchise the identical method once more, and that’s factor. We’re capable of see the blood, sweat, and tears that the forged and crew put themselves via for this collection, with Keanu being an absurdly good sport in more and more not possible conditions. Chad Stahelski is proving to be probably the most attention-grabbing administrators on the market as a result of nobody shoots motion like him, and this does an incredible job at exhibiting why he’s so good at his job. As a result of it takes a sure sort of dedication that this doc showcases.
WICK IS PAIN IS AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL ON MAY 9TH, 2025.
