Can we really learn anything useful from Hollywood? Like most of you, I tend to be hypercritical when watching movies or TV shows that have anything to do with guns. I always look for (and often find) a lot of technical errors, like the character who is clearly carrying a SIG one second, and then, upon turning a corner, is magically holding a Glock.
We often see horrifically unsafe (or just plain silly) gun handling, such as when the supposedly highly trained professional lets his gun point directly at his partner or “sweeps” an entire roomful of innocent bystanders … multiple times. Time and again a character unnecessarily racks the slide on a gun several times (turns out directors just like the sound). Then there is the handgun that can be fired endlessly without ever having to be reloaded.
But, let’s face it, it’s the gunfights that make an action movie. And John Wick 2 — the second in the action movie franchise starring Keanu Reeves — features some of the best “runnin’ and gunnin’” scenes ever. To paraphrase a current TV commercial, “It’s not how fast you shoot, it’s how well you shoot fast.” And the film’s title character, John Wick, does both.
As a result, I couldn’t help wondering how well Keanu Reeves could handle guns in real life. After all, he clearly had some training. But Reeves also exhibits a familiarity and comfort with firearms that is not often observed in Hollywood. I found out why.
To bring Reeves up to speed as quickly as possible, the director and the film’s stunt coordinator enlisted the services of World Champion 3-Gun Shooter and Trainer Taran Butler. After half a dozen sessions over a two-week period, Butler said of Reeves, “He is hands-down the best weapons actor out there right now.” The following short video clip explains:
So, what, if anything, can we “normal” people take away from the experiences of someone like Keanu Reeves? First of all, commitment matters. Being serious about setting aside the time and putting in the effort is essential. Going to the gun range only a couple of times a year won’t cut it.
And when it comes to learning how to shoot fast and well, training matters. I don’t care how long you’ve been shooting, or how good you think you are, it never hurts to have an objective observer critique your skills. Top athletes in every field all have coaches and personal trainers, constantly helping them to reach the next level. We should be no different.
Okay, unlike most of us, highly paid actors have the financial resources to hire top-notch instructors and pay for thousands of rounds of ammo. But that doesn’t mean we can’t at least occasionally enlist the services of a good defensive firearms instructor. Ask around. No matter where you live, there are likely a number of qualified people who can help you polish your skills — without costing you a fortune.
One more thing: For defensive training, I often prefer using outdoor facilities whenever possible, where students can practice things like drawing from concealment and engaging multiple targets.
Sure, few of us will ever face dozens of highly skilled attackers like those in John Wick 2 — hey, it’s a movie. But we should all be committed to doing what’s necessary to be able to draw, acquire and shoot … rapidly, effectively and safely.
Be smart. Train. Practice. Often.
Related: Not Like the Movies: What Really Happens in a Gunfight?
