Homage or knock-off, it looks like a blast to us.
One of the many reasons that 2014’s John Wick is considered to be a modern action classic is that in addition to beautifully choreographed sequences of violence the film also does a tremendous job of world-building. At the center of its hitman-centric society sits The Continental — a hotel for killers that serves as a neutral territory and survives on the enforcement of strict yet simple rules. It works to create something fresh in the world of action cinema.
Hotel Artemis is wholly unrelated to John Wick, but it’s clear that writer/director Drew Pearce (co-writer on Iron Man 3 and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation) is a fan. Rather than be a carbon copy, though, the film sets the near entirety of the action within the walls of the titular hotel. The Artemis is a neutral ground hospital of sorts where victims of foul play from competing criminal enterprises can receive medical help and recuperate in peace. Sounds like a flawless plan, but what happens when a perturbed gangster named the Wolf King comes calling?
Oh, and did I mention Jeff Goldblum plays the Wolf King?
Check out the first trailer for Hotel Artemis.
So yes, obviously, John Wick is a major influence here, but I’m not complaining. The premise sets up an intriguing world and looks to populate it with lively characters brought to life by a terrific roster of performers.
A smirk-wearing Goldblum is always aces, but we also get Jodie Foster as the Artemis’ manager/doctor/probable badass. Add in Sterling K. Brown, Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Zachary Quinto, and Kenneth Choi, and you have a movie worth watching for the cast alone.
Pearce is making his feature debut as director here, but he has some familiar talents backing him up off camera too. Cliff Martinez (Drive) is onboard as composer, and cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon (The Handmaiden) is ensuring the visuals match the score.
Hotel Artemis checks into theaters on June 8th, 2018.
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