John wick 4 movie review 2023

After a long wait, John Wick is back with the fourth installment in the series, and it does not disappoint. Directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves, "John Wick: Chapter 4" opens with the titular character on the run from the High Table, the organization of powerful villains that control the world of assassins. The main villain, Marquis de Gramont, keeps raising the bounty on Wick's head, and Wick seeks help from the head of the Osaka Continental, Shimazu, in Japan, leading to a battle with a blind assassin named Caine. Laurence Fishburne also makes appearances as Wick's Q and Shamier Anderson plays an assassin waiting for the right price on Wick's head.

Despite the epic runtime of 169 minutes, the plot of "John Wick: Chapter 4" is refreshingly focused compared to the previous films, with a clear objective of Wick versus the bad guys. The action sequences are long and intense, but with momentum that keeps them from overstaying their welcome. The stakes are clearly defined, allowing for complex choreography, and the simplicity of objectives allows for fun within those constructs.

The choreography of the action in "John Wick: Chapter 4" is simply breathtaking, with the world around Wick and his enemies continuing on as if the hundred or so people he kills are invisible. The nightclub sequence, where Wick battles Scott Adkins and his army of thugs while the dancers barely notice, is particularly impressive, as is the battle in the traffic circle around the Arc de Triomphe. The cinematography, by Dan Laustsen, is clean and brutal, never confusing, and the stunt work is phenomenal.

Reeves' performance as Wick is as committed as ever, imbuing the character with emotional exhaustion that adds more gravity to this chapter. Wick has changed over the course of the series, and Reeves knows exactly how to streamline his performance to fit the story. The supporting cast, including Ian McShane, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Donnie Yen, also give strong performances.

Overall, "John Wick: Chapter 4" is a triumph of the action genre, distilling the mythology-heavy approach of the previous films into a streamlined story with intense, breathtaking action sequences. The clarity of intention and focus on the central conflict make for a film that is a must-see for fans of the series and action movies in general.

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After a two-year delay, "John Wick: Chapter 4" is finally here, and it's worth the wait. Director Chad Stahelski, along with writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, have created a film that feels refreshingly focused, with a plot that is easy to follow despite the epic runtime of 169 minutes. The film sees Keanu Reeves return as the titular character, on the run again from the High Table, who are determined to take him down. The main villain of the piece is the Marquis de Gramont, played by Bill Skarsgård, who keeps raising the bounty on Wick's head while trying to eliminate Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and his part of the organization. Laurence Fishburne also returns as Wick's Q, and Shamier Anderson plays an assassin waiting to cash in on Wick's bounty.

One of the standout elements of the "John Wick" franchise has always been its action sequences, and "Chapter 4" is no exception. Stahelski and his team construct the battles in a way that feels both urgent and artistically choreographed. The filmmakers manage to strike the perfect balance between tension and showmanship, resulting in action scenes that are both thrilling and visually stunning.

The action in "Chapter 4" also has wonderfully defined stakes. The objectives are clear, allowing for complex choreography. We know what John needs to do and who he needs to go through to get to the end, and this clarity of intention allows for fun within the simple constructs. The simplicity of objectives also means that the action is not cluttered with characters or muddled objectives, a common issue with modern action films.

The choreography of the action sequences is breathtaking, with the world often going on around Wick and his unfortunate combatants. The dancers in a crowded nightclub barely notice when Wick battles Scott Adkins and his army of unlucky idiots. Later, in one of the best action sequences of all time, Wick and his predators battle in the traffic circle around the Arc de Triomphe. The cars don't stop, and the shots ringing out in the streets seem to go unnoticed. The world outside of Wick and the mythology of this world almost feel like they can't even see the legendary assassin and the hundred or so people he ends up killing.

The cinematography by Dan Laustsen is phenomenal, ensuring that the action is clean and brutal and never confusing. The stunt work is outstanding, and the shoot-outs have the feel of dance choreography rather than the bland plot-pushing of so many studio films. Reeves delivers another excellent performance as Wick, conveying his emotional exhaustion while still making him a compelling and sympathetic character.

In conclusion, "John Wick: Chapter 4" is an excellent addition to the franchise, with a focused plot, thrilling action, and a great cast. It's a must-see for fans of the series and action movie lovers in general. Stahelski and his team have created another masterpiece in the action genre, and it's one that shouldn't be missed.