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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated John Wick. Chapter 4 (2023) in Movies
Mar 18, 2023
John Wick is back and you know what to expect! The action is bigger, the fight scenes are more elaborate, and the killing is…normalized. It is an awesome and fun two-hour and forty-nine-minute joyride that is constantly moving and does not feel nearly that long.
It is crazy to think that in the world of John Wick, after how many bodies he has left in his wake over the last three movies, that anyone would bother even going after him. And yet, this is a popcorn action film in the trustiest since because if you aren’t suspending disbelief and enjoying the ride, you aren’t doing it right.
While it's normally John Wick against the world, this time he seeks help from old friends who help him reign death and destruction upon anyone in his way as he attempts to kill his way to freedom from the “high table.” It is this comradery that sets this film apart from its predecessors. For the first time since the first film, we actually get character development and emotional investment for Wick and his friends.
Most notably joining Keanu Reeves this time is Donnie Yen of Ip Man fame. Channeling traditional martial arts films, Yen plays a blind master assassin in his own right, who like Wick, was retired, but was brought back to save his family and hunt down his friend John Wick. Fans of his martial arts films will recognize Yen’s movement that is both graceful and precise as a dance. Additionally, Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train, The Twilight Samurai), brings his strong and stoic presence as a loyal friend to help John Wick, despite the potential danger it will bring to him and his family. While Shamier Anderson (Race, Bruiser) introduces a new character to the series, tracking John Wick to score a payday. These three delightfully add story depth to series mainstays Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne as we dive deeper into the lore of “everything under the table.”
Opposite them, Bill Skarsgard, plays a ranking Marquis, given the power to hunt down Wick and make an example of all those who fail to “serve under the high table.” He is exactly the type of pompous and ruthless villain that we all love to hate. It is through the exhibition of his power and arrogance that we learn more about the lore and rules of this world of assassins, which is intriguing and entertaining as John Wick must navigate not only people trying to kill him but also the “old rules” on his path to freedom.
These fresh faces and story elements help the John Wick series to feel more enjoyable than ever, while, fans of martial arts films, samurai films, and a certain 1979 cult classic, will recognize the various homage paid in John Wick Chapter 4. Making this the best addition to the series since the first film.
4.5 out of 5 stars
It is crazy to think that in the world of John Wick, after how many bodies he has left in his wake over the last three movies, that anyone would bother even going after him. And yet, this is a popcorn action film in the trustiest since because if you aren’t suspending disbelief and enjoying the ride, you aren’t doing it right.
While it's normally John Wick against the world, this time he seeks help from old friends who help him reign death and destruction upon anyone in his way as he attempts to kill his way to freedom from the “high table.” It is this comradery that sets this film apart from its predecessors. For the first time since the first film, we actually get character development and emotional investment for Wick and his friends.
Most notably joining Keanu Reeves this time is Donnie Yen of Ip Man fame. Channeling traditional martial arts films, Yen plays a blind master assassin in his own right, who like Wick, was retired, but was brought back to save his family and hunt down his friend John Wick. Fans of his martial arts films will recognize Yen’s movement that is both graceful and precise as a dance. Additionally, Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train, The Twilight Samurai), brings his strong and stoic presence as a loyal friend to help John Wick, despite the potential danger it will bring to him and his family. While Shamier Anderson (Race, Bruiser) introduces a new character to the series, tracking John Wick to score a payday. These three delightfully add story depth to series mainstays Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne as we dive deeper into the lore of “everything under the table.”
Opposite them, Bill Skarsgard, plays a ranking Marquis, given the power to hunt down Wick and make an example of all those who fail to “serve under the high table.” He is exactly the type of pompous and ruthless villain that we all love to hate. It is through the exhibition of his power and arrogance that we learn more about the lore and rules of this world of assassins, which is intriguing and entertaining as John Wick must navigate not only people trying to kill him but also the “old rules” on his path to freedom.
These fresh faces and story elements help the John Wick series to feel more enjoyable than ever, while, fans of martial arts films, samurai films, and a certain 1979 cult classic, will recognize the various homage paid in John Wick Chapter 4. Making this the best addition to the series since the first film.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Rickstrong23 (216 KP) created a post
Feb 28, 2018
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Atomic Blonde (2017) in Movies
Dec 24, 2017
Near perfection (1 more)
Action scenes flawless
Wow I loved it! I thought I would enjoy based on my recent viewing of John Wick 1 & 2, but I never thought I would love so much. In the modern days of superhero madness and everything becoming a franchise, it was refreshing to see this action film not pull any punches, literally.
I know they are talking about associating this film with the John Wick "universe", but this film stands on its own as a true modern kick-ass masterpiece.
I know they are talking about associating this film with the John Wick "universe", but this film stands on its own as a true modern kick-ass masterpiece.
David McK (3505 KP) rated The continental in TV
Dec 9, 2023
How did Winston get to be the manager of The Continental, the hotel for hitmen in the John Wick films?
Not a question I ever really thought of before, but that is more or less the driving premise behind this 1970s set prequel (of a sort) to the John Wick movies.
The series is 3 episodes long, each roughly about 1.5 hours long, with each themselves more or less split into 3 acts. In all cases, I found the middle part (and the middle episode) to be the weakest.
Not a question I ever really thought of before, but that is more or less the driving premise behind this 1970s set prequel (of a sort) to the John Wick movies.
The series is 3 episodes long, each roughly about 1.5 hours long, with each themselves more or less split into 3 acts. In all cases, I found the middle part (and the middle episode) to be the weakest.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) in Movies
May 20, 2019
A sequel on par with the first two, making for a fine trilogy
The original John Wick was a bit of a sleeper hit. It seemed to come out of nowhere, and grabbed people's attention immediately with it's revenge story, brutal action scenes, and undercuts of humour.
John Wick Chapter 2 was more of the same, and certainly in a good way.
John Wick Chapter 3, you guessed it, is more of the same, and the thing is, it's still not remotely boring.
The films opening action sequences hit you in the face from the get go (it opens immediately after the events of Chapter 2) and it's pretty relentless from there.
The action scenes themselves are frantic, but the lack of constant quick cuts means you can see what is happening. They are suitably violent, and keeps the John Wick tradition of ammo counting, which sets it apart from most gun orientated action films.
The martial arts stunt work is solid and slick and just all round thrilling to watch.
Keanu Reeves, as before, is great as the mostly-silent protagonist, and Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick, and Halle Berry, all compliment the story pretty well.
The only problem I had with the cast was the completely over the top Adjudicator character. The constant crazy eyes were just a little too comical for me.
John Wick Chapter 3 is a great addition to this trilogy and thankfully leaves it open for another story down the line. I'm certainly ready to see what happens next.
John Wick Chapter 2 was more of the same, and certainly in a good way.
John Wick Chapter 3, you guessed it, is more of the same, and the thing is, it's still not remotely boring.
The films opening action sequences hit you in the face from the get go (it opens immediately after the events of Chapter 2) and it's pretty relentless from there.
The action scenes themselves are frantic, but the lack of constant quick cuts means you can see what is happening. They are suitably violent, and keeps the John Wick tradition of ammo counting, which sets it apart from most gun orientated action films.
The martial arts stunt work is solid and slick and just all round thrilling to watch.
Keanu Reeves, as before, is great as the mostly-silent protagonist, and Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick, and Halle Berry, all compliment the story pretty well.
The only problem I had with the cast was the completely over the top Adjudicator character. The constant crazy eyes were just a little too comical for me.
John Wick Chapter 3 is a great addition to this trilogy and thankfully leaves it open for another story down the line. I'm certainly ready to see what happens next.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) in Movies
Jun 24, 2020
John Wick is quickly becoming a favorite franchise among many, myself included. Keanu Reeves excels in a revolutionary role that shows the viewer a type of action rarely seen before and never seen in the elaborate conditions and setting that is built within this world.
It's nice how this series introduces new characters to fight the titular Wick. They always have an original way to twist the story around and make this villain the most evil villain yet, even if that isn't necessarily the case.
I can't wait to see what is in store in the next installment. Reeves has publicly stated that he will keep making John Wick movies as long as people want to keep watching them. Well, I will keep watching them for as long as you keep making them, Mr. Reeves.
It's nice how this series introduces new characters to fight the titular Wick. They always have an original way to twist the story around and make this villain the most evil villain yet, even if that isn't necessarily the case.
I can't wait to see what is in store in the next installment. Reeves has publicly stated that he will keep making John Wick movies as long as people want to keep watching them. Well, I will keep watching them for as long as you keep making them, Mr. Reeves.
Nick Friesen (96 KP) rated John Wick (2014) in Movies
Jul 13, 2017
Keanu Reeves (4 more)
The established hitman universe
Incredible gunplay
Solid fight choreography
Decipherable cinematography during action
Best Action Movie Post-Matrix
The problem with many modern action movies lies in the bullshit concept known as "shaky-cam." Perhaps well meant at first, in order to make audiences "feel" the impact of punches and gunshots, it is now so overused that you can't even tell what's going on or who is hitting who in many action movies. Enter John Wick: not a single use of "shaky-cam." Not one. All camera shots during action sequences are stable and staged at angles that allow the audience to see exactly what is going on. I used to think Jason Bourne was the best action series post-Matrix, but John Wick and its sequel changed that as fast the titular character can shoot another goon in the head. The fight choreography is sublime, the script is simple but tight, and Keanu Reeves is slicker than ever. John Wick is the best action movie since The Matrix, and it just so happens to star the same bad-ass guy we've been dreaming of being since 1999. Now I have to go review John Wick: Chapter 2!
AT (1676 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) in Movies
Jul 17, 2019
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) in Movies
Dec 7, 2019
Not enough Elton John
A little too processed for me. Action scenes were good I guess in a second rate John Wick kind of way. I guess these types of movies bore me now a little. Maybe it's my inner movie snob coming out.
I was never bored while watching, but seems like a waste of good talent like Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Emma Watson, etc.
Tried too hard to be Bond, Borne and Wick and doesn't really succeed at any of them. Humor was the standout which made it more watchable.
Meh...
I was never bored while watching, but seems like a waste of good talent like Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore, Emma Watson, etc.
Tried too hard to be Bond, Borne and Wick and doesn't really succeed at any of them. Humor was the standout which made it more watchable.
Meh...