The John Wick Movies' Ten Coolest Lines by Keanu Reeves
Though John Wick understands that deeds speak louder than words, Keanu Reeves still manages to provide plenty of great lines as the Baba Yaga. Though he mostly lets his fists speak in the John Wick films, Keanu Reeves still has some quite remarkable quotes. John is a man of few words, so he is a more enigmatic person. Though other characters sometimes speak more than John, the John Wick films nonetheless feature tons of excellent dialogue. It's nearly always worth remembering when John Wick chooses to find his voice.
"Guns," Lot of Guns."
John Wick's method to his work is best summed up in no quotation than this brief passage from Chapter 3 - Parabellum. John Wick is a man who speaks only in cases of really need. Instead he would rather let his weapons speak for him. John responds briefly when Winston asks him what he needs following the restoration of his privileges. John Wick clearly has not time to spend. This quotation also deftly alludes to another of Keanu Reeves' finest films. Reeves' character Neo in The Matrix uses the exact same sentence while he and Trinity are preparing for the remarkable lobby gunfire sequence. Though it's not the only Matrix connection in the John Wick series, this is most clear-cut. Neo enjoys careful word choice, much as John does.
" EVENIN' Jimmy. Complain about noise?"
Though it's not a comedy, John Wick features a few shockingly humorous bits. For deadpan comedy every now and then, John Wick's austere demeanor makes him a fantastic character; Keanu Reeves's delivery is always exactly on. John welcomes a police officer at his home to follow up on a noise complaint in a manner that implies this is business as usual for the two men. Since it depicts early on exactly how frequent violence is in John Wick's existence, this little moment is a masterwork of worldbuilding. Presumably, John Wick paid Jimmy off a long time ago, therefore the cop knows better than to meddle in John Wick's affairs. Though they both know the wild violence that has just occurred at John Wick's house, it's still interesting to observe their laid-back approach to chit-chat.
Helen...
John Wick whispers his wife's name with his last breath. This relates to John Wick's violent outburst at the start of the series. John Wick never misses sight of the woman who motivated him to be better throughout all of his lethal combat. John Wick's struggle to survive to see her changes his whole path into a passionate march of penitence. Without his aggressive way of life, John Wick doesn't know who he is; at least he didn't until he had Helen. His only release is his former ways, hence he goes back without Helen. Although there are ongoing hypotheses that John Wick might have survived the end of Chapter 4, if this is the end of his path, his wife's name would be the ideal last word. John Wick is fascinating for far more than just his explosive action scenes since his love for Helen gives his deeds significance. Also rather beautiful is the notion that John Wick's aggression is his means of exacting retribution on a society that will not allow him process loss.
"You And I Left A Good Life Behind A Long Time Ago, My Friend."
One of John Wick's finest side characters, Koji Shimazu, first appears in Chapter 4 Played by Shōgun actor Hiroyuki Sanada, Koji is among John Wick's old buddies he could depend on. Koji has an enigmatic background with John Wick, much like Caine, Sofia, Marcus, and others, but it is very evident they went through hell together. Former friends of John Wick see him better than practically everyone and understand that he is worth risking their life for. Over the brief period of time Koji spends on-screen, he delivers some quite remarkable lines. His early chat with John Wick in the Osaka Continental gardens confirms his allegiance to his friend, but he also gently challenges John Wick's mission. Both John Wick and Koji are staring death in the face; Koji notes that a decent death cannot exist without first leading a good life. Although John Wick's nihilistic reply implies he has given up all hope for a better future, he still has unfinished business to deal to.
"It Wasn't Just A Puppy."
John Wick's quick answer tells her all she need to know when the Director probes the suffering he has gone through to exact revenge for the murder of his pet. John Wick's elevator pitch sounds a little silly without background: a man kills his puppy and then endangers his life to destroy the Russian Mafia. Contextually, therefore, the dog stands for John Wick's hope and his ongoing love for his wife. Although John Wick's loss is a major driving force for him, it is not expressed so precisely. Rather, the John Wick flicks drop in regular reminders with terrible consequences. One may read John Wick's wrath as either displacement or justified vengeance. Though these are only indicators of something far more complicated John Wick cannot get back, it may have started with his car being taken and his dog being killed.
"Tell Them all... whoever comes, whoever it is... I'll kill them. I'll kill every one of them.
Though Chapter 2 guarantees the character has an exciting future worth pursuing, the original John Wick is a superb stand-alone action movie. Beginning with the cliffhanger at the end of Chapter 2, when John Wick is proclaimed excommunicado for conducting business on Continental territory, the John Wick franchise gets really underway. John Wick has some last words for Winston but has to flee the assassins while the clock runs toward his deadline. John Wick's last remarks in Chapter 2 sum up where he is on his emotional trip and set the tone for a tempting sequel. John Wick discovers he is too far into the dark seas of his past life to turn back after trying to seek retribution and straighten his affairs. John Wick intends not to give up without a struggle; his only option is to keep on. John Wick does, of course, keep his word.
"Dead, Victor's." Nothing has a price.
Not one of John Wick's antagonists matches Iosef Tarasov. The arrogant son of Russian mob boss Viggo Tarasov is John Wick's target, but he relies on his father's hired guns to protect him rather than fighting his own battles. He's a simple villain to root against, therefore John Wick's quest of retribution seems reasonable. When John Wick tries to pay for his automobile, Iosef first harasses him. John Wick says it isn't for sale, and Iosef states that everything has its price. He soon regrets these words when John Wick repeats them back to him later. Iosef was raised by a powerful man, but he never did anything to earn his life of luxury. He believes he can buy anything that he wants to, probably because he has been privileged enough to do just that throughout his entire life. John Wick teaches Iosef a lesson in the most brutal way possible that some men can't be bought. John Wick flips the meaning of the phrase "Everything's got a price," teaching Iosef that his words and actions can cost him dearly.
"Events."
In the same way that John Wick dispatches Iosef by referencing his arrogance, John Wick kills the Marquis at the end of John Wick: Chapter 4 by reminding him of his hubris. The Marquis is warned multiple times by other characters that his ambition and self-interest could cause his downfall, but he ignores them all. John Wick saves him a speech, choosing just a single word in response to the Marquis reminding John Wick that there are rules. Chapter 4 is all about rules and consequences, but both are governed by the High Table. If anyone rejects the rules that they lay out, then they open themselves up to whatever consequences the High Table sees fit to dole out. The only people seemingly beyond reproach are the members of the High Table themselves, including the Marquis. John Wick drags him back down to Earth before putting a bullet through his head, using the pistol from the barbaric duel that the Marquis himself authorized in accordance with his rigid rules.
"The Knife Is In Your Aorta. You Pull It Out, You Will Bleed, And You Will Die. Consider This A Professional Courtesy."
Cassian may be standing in John Wick's way, but the two assassins develop a mutual respect as they battle it out. Just as he does with Ares and Zero, John Wick takes a moment after defeating Cassian to acknowledge his competitor, but there's nothing sentimental about it. John Wick's respect doesn't extend to compassion, so he makes sure that Cassian has no chance of following him. John Wick's stone-cold last words to Cassian remind him that he is only alive thanks to an act of mercy. This is a kindness, but it's also a subtle put-down, as it suggests that John Wick didn't just defeat Cassian, but that he easily had the means to kill him if he wanted to. In a world teeming with dangerous assassins, John Wick still stands head and shoulders above the rest. However, this quote emphasizes that it's just work to him.
"People Keep Asking If I'm Back, And I Haven't Really Had An Answer. But Now, Yeah! I'm Thinking I'm Back!"
Since John Wick doesn't speak very much, it carries a lot of weight when he decides to open his mouth. His confrontation with Viggo Tarasov is probably the most that he talks in any John Wick movie, and it provides a window into his soul. John Wick spells out the importance of his wife's gift, and how Iosef robbed John Wick of his hope and his ability to grieve with a companion. As John Wick does so, his rage begins rising. Although John Wick is outnumbered and tied to a chair, he still has the confidence to threaten Viggo. When John Wick says that he's back, he doesn't just mean that he can unleash his violent skills, but also that he is reclaiming the quasi-mythical place that he holds in the criminal underworld. Nobody is more aware of John Wick's fearsome reputation than Viggo, and John Wick evokes that reputation with this final war cry.
