Movie Review - John Wick: Chapter 4

Director: Chad Stahelski
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 169 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Clancy Brown, Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson, Hiroyuki Sanada
 
Description: 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.

Review: After his fall from the Continental Hotel in New York, it is assumed that John Wick is dead. Unfortunately, for a whole slew of individuals, that assumption turns out incorrect. Especially for The high Table. John Wick is out for revenge to earn back his freedom once and for all, but that battle proves no easy one. As the price on his head seems to rise by the minute, he travels the world in search of his enemies and former friends he can still trust.

It is quite noteworthy that an action film like “John Wick”, made for “only” $ 20 million in 2014, is now on its third sequel and we all still enjoy it. A concept that turned into a very stylish action film franchise. But what is especially noteworthy is the fact that not one of the sequels manages to lose momentum.

The fact that this fourth chapter has been given a runtime of no less than 169 minutes is proof that there is plenty of room in the universe surrounding Keanu Reeves’ John Wick. Less than three hours of stylish violence in a world full of assassins. And this film is all gas, no breaks. Director Chad Stahelski uses mainly actions scenes to stretch that, instead of dialogue. And that way, you hardly feel the almost three hour runtime.

On the quality of the scenes there is little to nothing to complain about. The payoffs are creative and spectacular and a joy to watch. During the Arc de Triomphe scene you’re constantly wondering how they did it. And the one scene in the building, where most of it is shot from the top, is the most amazing scene of the entire film, from a cinematographic point-of-view. However, some viewers might find these actions sequences too long and they go a bit too far at times. To thinking that John Wick is some kind of “über-mensch”, where he survives yet another high fall, kick or blunt to the head.   

This fourth installment again introduces a new character high up on the assassin ladder in the form of Bill Skarsgård (known best for his role as Pennywise in “It”), but it still remains extremely vague exactly how the High Table works and who is at the top of the pyramid. The main villain was kind of a let-down, I didn’t find him very threatening.  

Other cool characters were introduced though. Donnie Yen as the blind assassin Caine, even with it being a little implausible at times for him to fight the way he does, was a welcome character. And the so-called Mr. Nobody and his dog were amazing and in the movie for just the right amount.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” shows that there is still more than enough in store when it comes to John Wick and his battle with the High table. The film has a hefty running time, but I didn’t really feel that because it’s almost non-stop stylish action. The John Wick-series is a very good and solid franchise, because all the movies in it are so good. 

Rating: 4/ 5

Ranking the Franchise - John Wick

I didn’t think I would like “John Wick” when I saw the trailer of the first film. Let alone would I expect to need a full trilogy. I ended up loving “John Wick” and the sequels as well. I rewatched them all over the weekend, so the perfect time to rank the three films in “John Wick” franchise.

3. John Wick (2014)
A good old-fashioned revenge film in which former assassin John Wick goes to war when a bunch of Russian gangsters steal his card and kill his dog. Just after her buried his wife. Stylishly choreographed action scenes are alternated with the necessary cynical humor. But what remains above all is the dreamy New York in which the film takes place: a universe like that of a graphic novel, with a hotel at the center where the entire clientele consists of professional criminals.

2. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)
The sequel to the critic’s remarkably well-received “John Wick: Chapter 2” and it means even more life and death battles for assassin John Wick. So even more stabbing, fist fighting and gun fighting. You’d think that it would get old, but director and former stuntman Chad Stahelski keeps up the pace, the battle original and provides occasional dry comedy for relief. And Keanu Reeves (who is in his fifties, whut?) continues to convince as the constantly hunted but indestructible Wick. In this case, bigger is better.

1. John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
A few days after the events in the first “John Wick” film, the title character wants to take it easy, but is then forced to travel to Rome to commit an assassination attempt on a mob leader. After which all hell breaks loose. Just like in the first film, the violence is exuberant and baroque, tightly choregraphed, with classical architecture in the background, beautifully lit catacombs and other photographic gems. Hardly ever is a sequel better then the original, let alone the second film in a trilogy being the best.

Movie Reviews - John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

Director: Chad Stahelski
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 131 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Jerome Flynn, Lance Reddick, Angelica Huston

Description: John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run after killing a member of the international assassin’s guild, and with a $14 million price tag on his head, he is the target of hit men and women everywhere.

Review: John Wick is back. His name is a well-known fact within the perfectly choreographed fight scenes and highly stylized décor. The third film in the series, picks up where part two has left us. And it’s a fun ride!
John Wick is trying to find his way through rainy New York. He has a 14 million dollar prize on his head, but that’s what happens when you murder a member of the International Assassin’s Guild. And he did this in the Continental Hotel, which is supposed to be neutral ground. Within this gigantic world, everyone is trying to catch John Wick. And like the manager of the Continental Hotel tells him: “Si vis pacem, para bellum”. Or better, if you want peace, you better prepare for war.
John Wick still fights with the consequences of avenging his dead dog. The location and new characters offer more entertainment then depth and the plot sometimes even feels irrelevant. But, let’s be honest, it never really was relevant. It’s mostly the amazing looking fight scenes that we’re all looking forward too.
These action scenes are all fantastic, original and very well-choreographed. The opponents seem more dangerous, the situations more bizarre and mostly more creative. Even in the first half hour, Wick fights his attackers in a room filled with antique weaponry: old revolvers, muskets and knives. And later he used horses. Every fight had new surprises and each fight is intense.
And in those action scenes we see the best acting as well. Keanu Reeves’ face gives away a lot.
Where the first “John Wick” movie surprised everyone, we didn’t expect to be needing a complete trilogy. But we did and we love it. It’s a very solid and consistent trilogy as well. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the series didn’t end here.

Rating: 4/ 5

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 2016 - # 98: Sexy Beast

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 89 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman, James Fox, Cavan Kendall, Julianne White, Álvaro Monje, Robert Atiko, Nives del Amo Oruet, Enrique Alemán Fabrega, Gérard Barray, José Maria Cano Ramos, Desirée Erasmus, Santiago Frias Munoz

Description: Brutal gangster Don Logan (Ben Kingsley) recruits "retired" safecracker Gal (Ray Winstone) for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.

Review: Some movies have a villain you will remember fort he rest of your life. “Star Wars” had Darth Vader, “Batman” had the Joker and “The Silence of the Lambs” had Hannibal Lecter. Well, “Sexy Beast" also has a villain like that: Don Logan, brilliantly portrayed by Ben Kingsley. Don is from England and travels to Spain to visit Gal. Gal is a retired gangster, who is now enjoying the sun, his wife and Spanish food. In the first scene we see Gal baking in the sun, at the edge of his pool. When he gets up a giant boulder roles down a hill and nearly hits him. This boulder is a metaphore for Don coming into his life. Don tries to convince Gal to do one more job back in England. Well, convince, Don tells him he has to do it. The fact that Gal is retired and doesn’t want to, doesn’t matter to Don. And Don is not the kind of man you say no to.
What makes “Sexy Beast” so great is the threat of violence, instead of the vilence itself. Without even touching a gun, Don is capable of terrorizing a room filled with people. Simply with a cold look and unpredictable attitude. At one point Don seems rational and has it all under control, but in an instant he explodes in anger. Don is a ticking timebomb. Ben Kingsley does a fantastic job. But also Ray Winstone, who is actually the leading man in “Sexy Beast”. He is more timid, but forms a great contrast with Don’s character.
The script is strong and has some dark humor here and there. But it’s mostly the great acting by Ben Kingsley that stays with you.

Rating: 3,5/ 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

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 109: Cuban Fury

Director: James Griffiths

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 98 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Nick Frost, Rashida Jones, Chris O’Dowd, Olivia Colman, Ian McShane

Description: Beneath Bruce Garrett's (Nick Frost) under-confident, overweight exterior, the passionate heart of a salsa king lies dormant. Now, one woman (Rashida Jones) is about to reignite his Latin fire.

Review: Sometimes you’re just looking for a fun movie, but you get a lot more. Something unexpected. “Cuban Fury” has a lot of clichés, but because of its energy and the endearing Nick Frost, the movie gives smiles from ear to ear.

Nick Frost plays Bruce, who was a successful salsa dancer as a child. Because of an unpleasant encounter with bullies, Bruce had sworn off dancing forever. Now, as an adult, he meets his beautiful new boss Julia. He finds out she has a passion for salsa dancing. Reason enough for Bruce to put on his dancing shoes again and win over her heart.

It’s fantastic how director Griffiths and his crew managed to turn this mediocre story into an enjoyable flick. De music is catchy, de montage is slick and the cinematography of the dance scenes is nicely done. But it’s the actors that make you love this movie. Nick Frost proofs that he doesn’t always need his buddy Simon Pegg to shine. He never overacts, while this normally would be the kind of movie for overacting. Rival Drew, played by Chris O’Dowd, and fellow salsa dancer Bejan are on the edge of overdoing it. Thanks to Frost.

The entertainment is there, it’s a lot of fun to watch Nick Frost shake his booty. Perfect movie for a fun night with your friends.

Rating: 3/ 5