I was just trying to find something to watch/listen to as background while I waited on some food to cook, and I happened across a video talking about how the John Wick series has changed action movies. It talked a lot about the move from quick, choppy cuts with lots of stunt people usage, to the flowing, continuous shots with the actors featured heavily, as well as story arc changes. One of the movies that was mentioned that benefited from John Wick’s influence was 2018’s Peppermint, starring Jennifer
Garner. I remember when the trailers for this movie had been out, so I was intrigued and tracked the movie down for my hopeful viewing pleasure. Caution, there are spoilers ahead, but only of the first half hour or so. Peppermint is the story of a mother who watches her family get killed by local gang members, herself being wounded in the process.
She is able to identify the gang members, but due to corruption, the case is dismissed. The tale picks up five years later, as the three gang members are found murdered.
You can probably guess where the story goes from there. Peppermint has similarities with Law Abiding Citizen (2009). Whereas Law Abiding Citizen was about revenge on the system that let a killer free, Peppermint is focused on the gang that ordered the killings, and the few corrupt public servants. Just like Law Abiding Citizen, I like Peppermint . It is a good revenge flick.
There are a few things through out the movie that make me roll my eyes and, at times, wonder how stupid the filmmakers think their audience is, but on the whole, it is a good movie.
