The un-retired hitman is back! Keanu Reeves returns for “John Wick: Chapter 4.” Our JP gives his thoughts on the popular film franchise.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Lionsgate
- Directed by Chad Stahelski
- Written by Shay Hatten, Michael Finch
- Based on Characters by Derek Kolstad
- Produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski
- Starring Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Ian McShane
Studio Synopsis:
John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
J.P’s Take:
The stakes are even higher for the invincible super-assassin known as John Wick in this enthralling 4th installment of the titular franchise.
“John Wick: Chapter 4” finds him still on the run and forced to battle new baddies through posh locations to avenge his friends and win his freedom. Wick’s seemingly immortality is lore, proven in the previous three films, which lends itself to video game status among fans.
“Wick 4″ brandishes more outlandish, over-the-top action sequences than its predecessors, yet it’s no less luring story-wise. It connects right after ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019), in that Wick (Keanu Reeves) has killed the Elder, the highest-ranking member of the assassin’s guild, the High Table. A bounty on Wick’s head continues to mount, drawing out bounty hunter Mr. Nobody (Shamier Anderson), followed by other assassins around the globe.
Hedging the hunt for Wick is Vincent de Gramont, bearing the title of the Marquis, supreme leader of the High Table. To turn the “tables” on the Marquis, John must challenge him to a duel at sunrise. Quite old fashioned.
Finding a happy medium between a solid story and pervasive, violent action is tricky; not the case with “Chapter 4,” as the setup carries a good amount of weight and bears dire consequences. Leaning heavily into the world around John Wick, director Chad Stahelski, with writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, draws out the dicey situation in vivid detail. Think of “JW4” as a video game, only without the game controller. Each of their characters lives by a set of principles as they carry out their deadly missions. When the fighting begins, it’s with the utmost urgent intent.
Yet the Marquis sets the game in motion when he makes his wrath known, calling John out on his challenge. His first target is Winston Scott (Ian McShane), owner and manager of the New York Continental Hotel and close friend to Wick. He calls Scott in to watch as his hotel is being demolished, which sends Wick a clear message.
In response, John Wick immerges from the shadows to put on his signature moves and take down wave after wave of elite killers. Prepare yourself for the slick combat styling of gun-fu/gun-kata, where John Wick is known to use his firearm as an extension of his fists. John Wick’s super-human ability to dodge bullets and quickly discharge his specialized 9-millimeter is uncanny. It’s exhilarating to watch a wave of baddies come at him like ants, whereas he dispenses with them like dancing.
The “John Wick” series is designed for maximum action in quick spurts, leaving you breathless and ecstatic. Yet, it’s also well-paced. Midway through, we’re given a rest period away from the hail storm of bullets. There is ample time to get in touch with the protagonist and surrounding characters before the plot starts to creep to a close. By this time, however, the action begins to ramp up for the last showdown representative of the boss level of a video game. One particularly-funny moment comes toward the latter half of the flick, as John is injured and tired and has to make it up multiple flights of stairs. Realizing he may not make it to the duel, he trudges up the stairs, only to be met by more miscreants. He’s battered and beaten, but still, he battles on. But before he reaches the top, he’s confronted by the main baddy, who knocks him back down the stairs. Once again, he has to make the trek back up.
I’m impressed by the entire cast as they play characters indicative of video game archetypes.
Uber action flicks come a dime-a-dozen these days. Yet none are produced with such style and grace as the “John Wick” series. And to its credit, there is nicely honed character development and churning tension.
I don’t always enjoy ultra-violent movies, yet “John Wick: Chapter 4” has quite the personality. Therefore I’m a fan.
Official Site: John Wick