Cyberpunk: 2077 & My Top 5 Keanu Reeves Flicks

Cyberpunk: 2077 will hopefully arrive at the end of next month. That is if it’s not postponed yet again, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Oh, speaking of the pandemic, we have plenty of interesting posts that you can read again. And again. And again. You’re welcome.

But in terms of cyberpunk video games, the closes thing I’ve ever written about is my Ghostrunner post. I’m not complaining though. I loved writing it, that’s for sure.

Dystopia Done Right

OK, back to the topic of Cyberpunk: 2077. Adapted from the Cyberpunk franchise, the story takes place in dystopian Night City, an open world with six distinct regions. Players assume the first-person perspective of a customizable mercenary known as V. A player who can acquire skills in hacking and machinery, an arsenal of ranged weapons, and options for melee combat. Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith was a consultant for the game adaptation while the acclaimed actor Keanu Reeves has a starring role. And that’s what I’m here for. Keanu Reeves.

Fun fact: CD Projekt Red sent a free copy of Cyberpunk 2077 Collector’s Edition to the guy who shouted “You’re breathtaking!” to Keanu Reeves during Microsoft’s E3 2019 media briefing. He, however, declined to accept it and called on CD Projekt to donate a gaming system to charity instead.

And speaking of Keanu, Reeves’ character, Johnny Silverhand, has more lines of dialogue than any character in the game, with the exception of the player character V. But in addition to everything else that’s great with the game, CD Projekt Red hired real city planners to help map out Night City. In order to help make exploring the city feel organic. And allow players to tell where they are by landmarks and other structures. That would also show how the traffic would work in the city.

Keanu Reeves Is The Star Of Cyberpunk: 2077

And what a start that is. An A-list star with a career that spans almost 4 decades. But the thing about Keanu is that, although not the most talented actor in Hollywood, he’s enjoyed a rather versatile and fulfilling career. A career that is the envy of so many, and of course I need to talk about it. Why? Because for one, I adore Keanu and his movies. And secondly because in his case, his talent (or lack thereof) doesn’t clash with the public’s perception of him.

He’s a beloved actor that enjoys fantastic fandom and has great trust among the public. You just know that either the movie that he’s in is going to be good, or his character is going to be cool and hilarious. For instance, I watched The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run this past weekend. And of course, he stars in it but plays Sage. The tumbleweed (yes you’ve read that right) that guids SpongeBob and Patrick on their adventure. The director cut Keanu’s head and put it inside a tumbleweed and it was still awesome to watch. Because he’s Keanu all right?

Cyberpunk: 2077 + Keanu = Magic!

However, the role in Cyberpunk: 2077 is not the first game for Mr. Reeves. Enter the Matrix form 2003 is his first video game involvement, but although he played Neo, he was mostly in the Live action FMV cut-scenes. But Keanu is Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk: 2077 and I for one can’t wait for the game to be released. But what about Keanu’s most famous roles?

Well, it’s hard to pick the most famous of the bunch, but I do have 5 that are my favorites. And yes, I’m going to omit some that are really love so I can stick to my 5 usual great picks. Although if I‘d have the power to add at least 5-10 more I’d add the movies from the John Wick franchise. And of course Flying (incredible gymnastics movie from the ’80s), The Gift, Johnny Mnemonic and Devil’s Advocate, Something’s Gotta Give. But here are my top 5 Keanu movies picks.

Hope you’ll enjoy them.

Some of Keanu’s finest roles. Neo, Johnny Utah and more.

Point Break

Ah, Johnny Utah. My high school crush. Seriously. Point Break is one of the best movies in Keanu’s film career, but what fascinates me is how simple it is. In essence, it’s a heist movie, but with lots of skydiving, surfing and just plain awesomeness.  Utah is an undercover FBI agent that will infiltrate a group of bank robbers so he could identify and eventually arrest them. But what he’ll end up doing is so much more than that.

Oh, and it was Lory Petty’s second movie overall, and from watching an older interview with her, she adore this movie as well. She loved making it, and loves the legacy that it has. now Fun fact: James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow re-wrote the final script together, but the only credited writer is W. Peter Iliff. And yes, I must mention that the remake of the movie is a true abomination. Please, do yourself a favor and skip that. Go for the OG movie instead.

Much Ado About Nothing

Admit it. We’re so used to watching Keanu as the hero in the movie that we don’t want to admit that he can play a baddie. But that’s what happened in Kenneth Branagh’s take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. He’s Don John in the movie and I just loved his evil ways. Seriously. If you haven’t seen this version of Shakespeare’s comedy, DO IT!. It’s soooo good. The cast is incredible, the direction/script from Branagh too and well Keanu is rather good as the villain. Oh, and here’s a fun fact. Keanu Reeves claimed in an interview on British radio that during filming, Brian Blessed befriended him and taught him how to meditate. Cool right?

Speed

Oh, how I love this movie! It’s the perfect action/thriller movie. Seriously. You have two incredibly charismatic people in the leads (Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves), speeding bus and bomb inside. Oh, and a lunatic terrorist that just happens to be played by Dennis Hopper. It’s incredible. Not to mention, the fantastic input of Joss Whedon in the script’s dialogue. Including that famous “Pop quiz, hotshot” line. Furthermore, it’s so thrilling and tense, that it’s included among the American Film Institute’s 2001 list of the top 100 Most Heart-Pounding American Movies. But at the same time, it’s one of those moves that I can watch over and over. I can never get bored with it. Seriously it’s fantastic!.

Constantine

Personally, I think this is a great comic book adaptation. Furthermore, it’s even a better movie that most people would like to give it credit. But at the same time, this is a movie that I’ve had to fight for 15 years now, and constantly prove that it’s good. Dare I say it… Great. Furthermore, it has a great cast, great direction (from Francis Lawrence). And it’s one of the best comic book adaptations out there, let’s face it.

I mean, (OK, besides Keanu as John Constantine) Tilda Swinton is Archangel Gabriel for Pete’s sake!. And Peter Stormare is Lucifer. However, Constantine deserves a lot more than measly 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a perfectly good movie that deserves all the love it can get. Oh, and Keanu is awesome as Constantine, but you already know that? Right?

BREAKING NEWS: Constantine 2, a followup to the 2005 movie starring Keanu Reeves, is in the works. The movie IS happening, according to Peter Stormare, who also confirmed the news on his social media. Yay! Rejoice Constantine fans! It’s happening!

Matrix

Yes, I know. The movie that practically every Keanu fan associates Keanu with. He’s NEO and he will be new for 4th time, next year. But, at the same time, this is the movie for which I waited hours and hours for. Just to buy tickets (along with my friend Maria), and i’m not ashamed to admit it.

And one time (circa May 1999) we saw this movie 7 times in a row. Indeed, each day of the week. And no I don’t regret it even now. To this day, Matrix is one of the best Sci-Fi movies ever made and Keanu is the perfect choice for the role of Neo. I’m sad to hear that Lawrence Fishburne is not returning in the role of Morpheous, but yeah. The 1999’s Matrix is a truly artistic and technological marvel.

What’s Your Hype Level About Cyberpunk: 2077?

I know I am. But I’d also love to know about your favorite Keanu Reeves movie. Which one is it? Is it a Scanner Darkly? Or perhaps the sports comedy The Replacements? How about My Own Private Idaho? Let us know in the comment section.