Keanu Reeves isn’t new to the scene at all, but in the last few years he’s become increasingly popular. To both old and new audiences.  So what has turned Keanu Reeves into what’s becoming a national treasure?  As a long time fan through his good and bad films I’m going to give you my very biased opinion on why I have always loved him and supported his career and why he’s suddenly become the guy everyone is rooting for.

I haven’t been interested in actors or actresses as people since I was a kid.  The actual world of Hollywood is pretty deplorable and disgusting when you stop looking at all the pretty dresses and fancy mansions.  Catching any actor with some coin and fame being a halfway decent person is relatively difficult to find. Amidst the disappoints you find gems like Will Smith, Ellen, Jason Momoa and Keanu Reeves.  It’s almost a relief to see someone actually act like a decent human.

“I’ve been really fortunate to be able to do different kinds of films in different scales, different genres, different kinds of roles, and that is important to me.”

Super Stardom

There was a time when Keanu was the biggest movie start alive.  There was a pause and then history repeated itself.  He earned respect as an action hero when “Speed” came out and later became a pop culture icon as “Neo” in “The Matrix.  During the next several decades he made just as many terrible films as good.  As far as the media was concerned he was regarded as a quiet and seemingly shy celebrity who really didn’t garner a ton of attention.  His private life remained mostly private.

Only recently has Hollywood and fandom really given him a third revival after he showed up as “John Wick”. Now that he’s back in the spotlight and not just as the charismatic actor who gives it all onscreen, but also for his kindness off camera.

“Fame is drag. The paparazzi culture is more pervasive than it used to be. On the positive side, it’s nice not to have to worry about bills.”

The Journey

The first time I remember seeing him was as the infamous “Tod” in “Parenthood”.  With an all star ensemble cast and a very young Keanu he stood out as kinda a ditzy surfer type dude, which ultimately must have lead to his next role as Ted in “Bill and Ted”.  Both “Excellent Adventure” and “Bogus Journey” remain some of my favorite movies from my childhood.  He followed up with “Point Break”, “Dracula”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, “Speed”, and a personal favorite of mine, “Johnny Mnemonic”.  I was obsessed with “The Devils Advocate” and “The Matrix” arguably changed film making.

I sat through “A Walk In The Clouds”, “Sweet November”, “The Watcher”, “The Gift”, “Hardball”, and “Chain Reaction” which were not enjoyable.  Then after “The Lake House” and “Street Kings”.  In the middle of that I still got “A Scanner Darkly” and “Constantine” which is indulgent, over the top, and magnificent.  For a time I was on movie hiatus for a few years when I saw “John Wick” show up.  And now here we are.

Even in between the “John Wick” movies we were subjugated to Eli Roth’s terrible “Knock, Knock” and “Siberia”.  But he still delivered small, yet awesome roles in “The Neon Demon” and “The Bad Batch” (also featuring Jason Momoa).  This year we’ve seen him have what may be across the board his most successful year ever with “John Wick 3”.  He also played notable roles in “Always Be My Maybe” and “Toy Story 4”. The announcement of his role in the much anticipated 2020 game, “Cyberpunk 2077” was huge.  And the filming of a “Bill and Ted” revival began.

“I’ve been pleased to work with so many wonderful stars through the years. This has been an amazing journey. I hope it continues.”

Thank You, Keanu

Keanu has never stopped working.  Never stopped making movies.  Never stopped taking chances in his quiet and humble way.  He always seems gracious and willing to do whatever makes his fans happy.  He’s never been a paycheck actor, it genuinely feels like he just enjoys working.  In the meantime, sign me up for anything he makes.  I’ll support him and his career till he decides he doesn’t want one anymore.  I can’t think of any actor I want to see successful more than him.  In honor of Keanu, let’s be most excellent to each other.

“It’s the journey of self, I guess. You start with this kind of loner, outside guy, which a lot of people can relate to, and he goes out into the world.”