Review: They Shouldn’t Have Killed His Dog: The Complete Uncensored Ass-Kicking Oral History of John Wick, Gun Fu, and the New Age of Action – Edward Gross & Mark Altman

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Review: They Shouldn’t Have Killed His Dog: The Complete Uncensored Ass-Kicking Oral History of John Wick, Gun Fu, and the New Age of Action – Edward Gross & Mark AltmanThey Shouldn't Have Killed His Dog: The Complete Uncensored Ass-Kicking Oral History of John Wick, Gun Fu, and the New Age of Action by Edward Gross, Mark Altman
5 Stars
Published by St. Martin's Press on July 19, 2022
Genres: Action & Adventure Movies, Actor & Entertainer Biographies, Martial Artist Biographies
Pages: 288

There have been iconic moments in the action movie genre over the years, but nothing has come close to matching the kinetic, balletic gun-fu of the John Wick films.

In They Shouldn’t Have Killed His Dog: The Complete Uncensored Ass-Kicking Oral History of John Wick, Gun-Fu and The New Age of Action, bestselling authors Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross take you behind the scenes of a franchise that includes three films with more on the way, while exploring the action classics that led to John Wick as well as the films it inspired, like Atomic Blonde. They bring you right into the middle of the action of the John Wick films, detailing how the seemingly impossible was achieved through exclusive interviews with the cast, writers, directors, producers, stuntmen, fight choreographers, cinematographers, studio executives, editors, critics, and more. Together, they break down key action sequences while also providing a look back at the road the action genre has taken that led to John Wick, and a look at the character itself, an anti-hero who carries on the grand tradition of Clint Eastwood’s Man with No Name, but with a twist ― and a never-ending supply of ammo ― while showcasing the enduring appeal of the action movie as well as John Wick’s unique reinvention of the genre.

As a HUGE fan of the John Wick movies, I devoured this book and want to give a big thanks to the authors for writing it. The book goes into great detail on the making of the movie from the people who were involved, and I enjoyed reading everyone’s take. The book is well written considering the author’s background, but with that being said, this book may not be for everyone. I am a Wick nerd and love movies, and for those who like to dissect movies, you will enjoy this read.

I plan on watching the movies and rereading the book because I am interested in the creation of film from the ground up. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good movie and the Wick series because they detail how Wick was created.

Reviewed by: Linda C.

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