The Many Faces of John Wick: Counting Down our 8 Favourite Keanu Reeves Roles.

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In celebration of the release of John Wick in Australia today – which many are calling Keanu Reeves’ “return to form” – we’re taking a look back at our 8 favourite Keanu Reeves performances from all over the years. So here we proudly present, the many faces of Keanu Reeves:

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8. Officer Jack Traven in Speed (1994)

Pop quiz, hot shot! One of the greatest 90s action flicks is Speed! If only Sydney Buses implemented Keanu Reeves a la Jack Traven’s high-intensity driving! I’m pretty sure this one placed Reeves on the action star map, but then he did The Lake House with Speed co-star Sandra Bullock and, nobody wants to remember them for that. – Erica Enriquez

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7. Tod Higgins in Parenthood (1989)

….because of this scene:

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6. John Constantine in Constantine (2005)

This comic book adaptation has Keanu Reeves getting all dark, gothic and post-apocalyptic on us. His portrayal of the dead-pan chain-smoking disillusioned John Constantine is pretty spot on. Despite all of his character’s personality flaws, he is still drawn to help and protect people from the supernatural forces of Heaven and Hell. Reeves nails this role because his ability to deliver dry, deadpan or occasionally puntastic lines is what makes this such a fun film to watch. – Carina Nilma

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5. Bob Arctor in A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Not only was this one of the few digitally rotoscoped animated features (Director Richard Linklater’s second) but it is one of Keanu Reeves’ most intriguing roles. A mind-bending existential rollercoaster examining the notion of self-identity and the way drugs, our environment and the people we’re surrounded by can have an impact on how we see ourselves and how we behave. Our journey with Reeves’ undercover detective Bob Arctor gives us a glimpse into what it feels like to slowly go crazy. – Carina Nilma

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4. Neo in The Matrix (1999)

No Keanu list would be complete with his most iconic role: Neo in The Matrix. We’re only counting the first film here, because let’s face it – it’s the only one that’s genuinely good. Hell, for a lot of people, it’s one of the best films ever made. I count myself among those people. And ultimately it’s not a film you can imagine without Keanu, he gave the role a certain air of natural confusion while still wanting to ensure he always made it look good… Was it the role he was born to play? Probably. – Larry Heath

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3. Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

1989 ended up being quite a life changing year for Keanu, thanks in part to Parenthood, but almost entirely to this film. As Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan, Keanu played the slacker with humour and precision and the film carried a spirit that films like Dumb and Dumber and even Wayne’s World would carry forward. It was just two guys going on an excellent adventure. And man was it funny. Let’s relive one of my personal favourite quotes from Ted: “Oh, you beautiful babes from England, for whom we have traveled through time… will you go to the prom with us in San Dimas? We will have a most triumphant time!”. – Larry Heath

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2. Johnny Utah in Point Break (1991)

Keanu really caught my eye when I was a youngster, with his portrayal of FBI agent Johnny Utah in action thriller Point Break. It was probably the first time I’d seen him playing something other than a goofy, dim witted teen who didn’t really take anything seriously, and it was a bit of a revelation. Something about the charisma, passion and smart ass attitude he brought to Johnny made it work, especially when bouncing off equally talented co-stars Patrick Swayze and Lori Petty. The ridiculous but appealing premise of hunting down would be surfer bank robbers who called themselves the ‘Ex-Presidents’ wouldn’t have been as entertaining without his prescence, and his compassionate fiery outburst at the end of the film’s infamous on-foot chase scene seals the deal for me. – Nazia Hafiz

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1. Scott Favor in My Own Private Idaho (1991)

While 1989 may have put Keanu on the map, it was his range of roles in 1991 – going from Point Break to My Own Private Idaho that proved that the man could act. When we put it out to the team to vote on their favourite film, this was the one that came back without question as Keanu’s most shining… ahem, face. Here’s what a couple of our writers had to say about the role.

…. this is the movie that made people sit up and take notice. Playing a young male hustler he is at his most beautiful. He is brazenly sexy and his fluid sexuality, combined with the heartbreakingly tangible chemistry with Phoenix, make this a movie a classic for Keanu fans. This is not a movie you watch, its a movie you feel. It captures that moment in time when gorgeous, grungy, flawed, tragic young men set many a heart aflutter. – Sue-Ellen Lee

My Own Private Idaho is more often triumphed for River Phoenix’s role in the production. It was one of the few films before the actor’s untimely death. But I want to put the spotlight on Keanu Reeves for this great cult film. Originally, the director Gus Van Sant sent the screenplay to Keanu expecting him to turn it down. But we’re lucky he said yes. This role is a fantastic example of Keanu Reeve’s supporting role work because he plays someone many people can identify with.

A young 20 year old who doesn’t want to be his parents, but doesn’t know where he wants to go or what he wants to do. He simply knows what he wishes he were not. When Keanu breaks the fourth wall he remains reserved even though he stares straight down the lens. And when he gallavants about the city or rides his motorcycle everyone wishes they could be like that, free and reckless. But pressure seeps in, and Keanu’s character is no different to us. That’s what makes Keanu great in any role he takes on. He aspires to be no different than one of us, and though some viewers miss this it’s why many love him. – Meredith McLean

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John Wick opens in Australian Cinemas today.

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Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.