"John Wick: Chapter 2" Review

Title: John Wick: Chapter 2

Directed by: Chad Stahelski

Written by: Derek Kolstad

Year: 2017


John Wick came as a major surprise to everyone. It reinvigorated the action genre with stylized fighting techniques and proved that Keanu Reeves can still be a kick-ass lead. The first film was deceptively complex and even had a resonant emotional core. Naturally, the sequel had some high expectations to meet. Does this film fire on all cylinders, or has all the excitement been wicked away?

John Wick has completed his revenge against the Russian mob that stole his car and killed his dog in the last film, and is now seeking solace with a new dog. However, he has been forced to perform a task by someone to whom he owes a debt and finds himself thrown back into the life he wants leave behind.

Keanu Reeves brings a significant amount of emotional heft to the role of John Wick. He was endlessly watchable in the first film and the same applies here. He has a distinct manner of delivering dialogue that comes across awkwardly, but matches the character and makes him all the more menacing. The most impressive part of Reeves' performance is his commitment to the stunt-work. Reeves performed the majority of his stunts, which is not only admirable, but more rewarding for the viewer. He truly is one of the great action stars and he proves it in what might be his greatest performance.

Riccardo Scamarcio makes for a terrific villain. He is utterly despicable with a cold, relentless air surrounding him. His character is given a strong motivation and Scamarcio has a great back-and-forth dynamic with Reeves. Laurence Fishburne has but one scene in the picture, but his charismatic acting makes him more memorable than his screen time would suggest. One cast member I am glad made a return is Lance Reddick, who plays Charon, the concierge at the Continental Hotel. Reddick is delightfully professional, and his stable and cool tone of voice is such a magnificent contrast to the bloody action. I could watch an entire film about this character checking various assassins in at the hotel. Last, but not least, is Ian McShane, who reprises his role as Winston, the owner of the hotel. McShane is, once again, a great addition to the cast, and his character's relationship with John is always interesting to watch.

In the first picture, John is motivated by the death of his dog and the loss of his car. Once again, John is drawn into his old life but for different reasons. In one sense, he is forced to pay off a debt to an old friend. But in addition to this, something has been taken from him, setting him on another revenge mission. The plot points are similar enough to evoke the same feeling and tone as the first film, but different enough to have this movie stand on its own as a separate and original story. Both elements of the main plot are intriguing, as John is placed in a position he does not want to be in, but must complete his task in order to carry out his vengeance.

The action was the main selling point of the previous picture. The filmmakers have developed a newer style of fighting affectionately referred to as "gun-fu" that gives the series its own distinct identity. The graceful yet vicious combat makes a triumphant return and it is just as good if not better. The gore comes in gallons and the creative fighting combinations are always awesome to behold. There are numerous fight sequences, each one distinguishable and exhilarating, that are worth the price of admission.

Just as good as the action is the cinematography in this feature. The camerawork complements the inventive action set pieces and never resorts to cheap techniques to obscure poor stunt-work. The delicately choreographed fight scenes are given proper treatment with a camera that pulls back to showcase the full scope of the action. But what I found even more impressive was the lighting. John Wick: Chapter 2 is one of the most creatively lit films I have ever seen, with a vast variety of colors being implemented in stylish fashion. The movie hardly conforms to a realistic lighting scheme, instead preferring to imbue each scene with experimental hues that highlight the innovative action. In addition, the climax of this film takes place in a hall of mirrors, which has been a cliché for countless years. However, the cinematography is so inventive and original that it overcomes this overused setting and makes it feel fresh again.

Another little point I would like to bring up is how the franchise handles its subtitles. I absolutely adore the way subtitles are presented in these pictures. The words are flashed across the center of the screen as opposed to being relegated to the bottom portion and are embellished with a slick font. This slight touch of creativity goes a long way. As for flaws with this film, the major one I can pick out is in the ending. The film has a great conclusion, but there is a moment that defies our suspension of disbelief. Learning about this secret civilization of assassins and how they have their own services such as a hotel and cleaner has been wonderful fun. But there is a moment in the ending that goes way too far and betrays the alluring nature.

John Wick: Chapter 2 continues this new franchise with vigor and conviction. Keanu Reeves has found a role that suits him perfectly, giving what might be his best performance; the story is familiar enough to feel comfortable, but different enough to be its own work; the action is animated and stimulating; and the cinematography is outstanding. The series has established a unique world with an underground organization of professional assassins. Learning more about this world is always intriguing. There is a moment at the end that is too overblown, even for the rules laid out within the diegesis, but it does not detract from the experience too much. All in all, John Wick: Chapter 2 is a solid action flick unlike many others.

Grade: A-