Keanu Reeves is John Wick in this return to form for the man who in another life was Ted Preston in the Bill and Ted films. How Mr Reeves has grown up. This film continues some of his good work in previous action stories such as Speed, the Matrix trilogy and the underrated Street Kings.

Here, he plays a legendary hit man (who is apparently unable to be killed) who retired from the profession five years earlier. As is often said, you can’t keep a good man down and this applies to John Wick. After a Russian gangster (“Game of Thrones” star Alfie Allen) steals his 1969 Ford Mustang, beats the snot out of him and kills his dog, John Wick is back in business. After all, you simply do not mess with a man’s dog.

Dressed to a tee in his black three-piece suit and scruffy beard, John Wick is the quintessential strong, silent type – a man of few words. But when the words do come, there is no doubt that they mean something.

John Wick gives the audience more than your typical Hollywood action film with car chases, explosions and hollow characters. It is clear that the filmmakers – and the revitalised leading man – aimed for something a little more smart, unconventional and elusive. Just like John Wick himself, they find their target.