A review of the new action movie “John Wick: Chapter 4”
Oh my, what a blast. If you enjoyed the three previous John Wick movies, you’re gonna love this one.Former kickboxer and former stuntman Chad Stahelski once again directs this latest contribution to an action hero franchise that continues to be both popular and profitable. Keanu Reeves is back as our suited, laconic, titular assassin, a one-man killing machine, seemingly indestructible whether pummelled, slashed, shot or simply knocked down an endless flights of steps.
This time, he takes on the High Table big-time in the form of the Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), but there are plenty of other formidable opponents, such as the blind Caine (Donnie Yen) and the huge Killa (Scott Adkins).
As we’ve come to expect, the work is endlessly stylish, as one thrilling action sequence follows another with dramatic sets, splendid choreography and raucous music. There’s usually neon lights or falling water or lights and water and there’s always bodies, dead bodies, lots and lots of them.
The action moves from New York to Morocco with long sojourns in Osaka, Berlin and Paris. There are some fabulous sequences, including a one-shot, bird’s-eye perspective of murder and mayhem.
Of course, it’s too long – almost three hours – but this seems to be almost standard for ‘big’ movies these days. Of course, it’s utterly over-the top, but this is what Wick’s fans expect and want. It is just so mindlessly entertaining. This time, stay to the very end: for the first time in a Wick film, there is a clip after the credits
I always finish my review of a John Wick movie with an estimate of the death toll. This one sets a new record score: 140.