10s Movie Review - John Wick: Chapter 2

Director: Chad Stahelski
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 122 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Peter Stormare, Ruby Rose, Laurence Fishburne, John Leguizamo, Peter Serafinowicz, Bridget Moynahan, Common

Description: After returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life.

Review: It doesn’t happen often and it’s always a big task: sequel that is better than the original. “John Wick” excelled in its simplicity: gangsters angering a hitman, hitman takes revenge and kills them all. And when a sequel is made, they always screw it up by making it more complex. But “John Wick: Chapter 2” is even better! Who would have thought that?
John Wick is an interesting character. The Continental Hotel from part one, was begging for some more insight. And that’s what we get. The Continental Hotel is the dream location for every hitman.
When John Wick thinks he is done with his life as a hitman, an old ‘acquaintance’ of his knocks on his door: Santino D’Antonio. An old pact makes for John Wick to once again set his retirement aside.
The set up is simple, but because D’Antonio is also a member of the Continental Hotel, they have to deal with the rules of the accommodation.
This movie is all about the action and, like in the first one, this element is phenomenal. The gunfire scenes are almost epic, they keep you invested at all times.
All in all, “John Wick: Chapter 2” is better than the first film. What I didn’t expect when I started watching it. Just as I didn’t expect “John Wick” to be any good.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 92: John Wick

Director: Chad Stahelski

Genre: Action/ Thriller

Runtime: 96 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Mygvist, Willem Dafoe, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane

Description: Ex-hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.

Review: After the death of his great love Helen, John Wick sees no hope. She did make sure John got one las gift: Daisy, a puppy to ease the pain. When he gets attached to the little dog, all hell breaks loose. Three men break into his house and kill his dog, only because they want John’s car. What the men don’t know is that John used to be a hitman, one of the best in the world. And he is ready to pick it up again to take on the scum who killed his dog.

Movies like “Taken” showed us that many people like a good revenge story. “John Wick” gives those people exactly what they want. Combined with lots of dry humor and bloodshed. The action scenes look amazing, which is logical because director Chad Stahelski used to be lead Keanu Reeves’ stunt double.

I always believed Keanu Reeves was a good actor, when many people doubted that. He always had this stoner like image, but in “John Wick” he really shows of his acting chops. His character is very interesting and cool.

Although the story is minimal, it’s executed so well the movie doesn’t bore you one minute. The clean, film-noir style really works. The only thing missing is a good bad guy. Michael Nyqvist really tries to make the best of it, but it never really convinces.

“John Wick” is a surprising movie, because my expectations weren’t that high. It’s perfect entertainment and it stays on a high level the entire runtime. I highly recommend this film.

Rating: 4/ 5