John Wick: Chapter Two

photo courtesy of withanaccent.com

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW 

     Keanu Reeves returns in the titular role for this sequel to the underground hit John Wick (2014). The John Wick vibe is definitely not for everyone, but for those who can appreciate some over-the-top violence and suave gun-fu, John Wick: Chapter Two delivers in slick, satisfying fashion.

     The story revolves around semi-retired assassin John Wick, whose brief foray back onto the professional scene in the previous film has attracted attention. Santino D’Antonio, a powerful old ally, demands that John pay back a debt by doing one last job on his behalf. When John refuses, his world quickly spins into a chaotic whirl of destructive (and delightful) action.

photo courtesy of indiewire.com

     The John Wick series continues to distinguish itself with impressive stunt-work, wonderfully choreographed action sequences, and unflinching violence. From beginning to end, John Wick: Chapter Two is always on the run; it’s kill or be killed. One of the most thrilling sequences intercuts several gruesome fights between John and fellow assassins. Importantly, the movie is able to balance its high-stakes violence with a healthy dose of wry humor, sometimes with a Marvel-esque wink.

photo courtesy of comingsoon.net

     Chapter Two builds on the established world of the Continental, a sort of assassin league with formalized rules and a variety of resources. It’s an elegant underworld, complete with lavish hotels and decked-out armories. This time around, some of the freshness and surprise of the whole enterprise has worn off, but the film manages to add some new ingredients (like the “marker” which compels John to honor his obligation) to spice things up. The fast pace and some new faces also help in that respect.

     Let’s be real. John Wick is not the type of movie you go to have a sophisticated, thought-provoking revelation. But for what it’s worth, it’s cool. It certainly lives just on the edge of absurdity—as evidenced in a few particularly preposterous action beats—but that’s what makes it so charming. No one man can single-handedly wipe out fifty men on his own, obviously, but it’s exciting to see this man-myth do it anyway.

photo courtesy of comingsoon.net

     Keanu Reeves is, as you might expect, pretty bad. But fortunately, this is a movie that doesn’t exactly rely on his performance, or even character development in general, for its significance. To offset his awkwardness, we get the sleek awesomeness of Common and Ruby Rose, who manage to be incredibly interesting in their respective super-assassin roles.

     All things considered, John Wick: Chapter Two is an enthralling action ride. In the world of James Bond and (resurrected) Jason Bourne franchises stalling out with lackluster offerings, John Wick might just be the brutal punch in the face the system needs. 

photo courtesy of comingsoon.net