An action franchise whose films have been progressively more successful, John Wick: Chapter 4 is an expanded, grand sequel that elevates the series into nirvana for fans.
Assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) seeks his freedom from the ruthless High Table, the controlling body for assassins governed by strict covenants and unflinching loyalty. The Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) is sent to eliminate Wick and uses top assassins including Wick’s old friend, Caine (Donnie Yen) who is blind yet lethal. Wick is pursued across the globe seeking help from the Japanese Continental, reconnecting with his past in Berlin, and ultimately confronting his destiny in Paris. Can Wick survive or will he fall victim to an overwhelming horde of killers?
The film, filled with quotable maxims, never forgets the importance of friendships, loyalty, and tradition as it introduces new characters and resurrects familiar faces (Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and the late Lance Reddick) that are integral to the mythology of the series. Reeves has some of the film’s best moments when paired with Yen, a great addition whose physical prowess and martial arts are breathtaking.
Longtime
director Chad Stahelski has come into his own with beautifully composed scenes (recalling John Woo) merging fluid
camerawork and color schemes with well-choreographed fights and stylized
violence. The film is filled with spectacular
scenes integrating martial arts, swordplay, and guns (lots of guns) particularly
in three remarkable sequences: the Japanese Continental, the Arc de Triomphe,
and a stupendous climax on the Sacré-Coeur steps. And then there is Keanu with
nunchucks…
This supreme
entertainment, despite its 169 minutes, manages to be engaging and well-paced
throughout. Although
a couple action scenes could have been trimmed, this mega epic delivers the
goods with an emotional ending that may surprise some. (There is a key end credit scene.)
****
of **** stars
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