John Wick: Chapter 2 Movie Review

Released: 17th February 2017

Length: 122 Minutes

Certificate: 15

Director: Chad Stahelski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Santino D'Antonio, Common, Ruby Rose, John Leguizamo and Ian McShane

In 2014, John Wick made a smashing big-screen debut, proving that not all action films have to be poorly shot, underdeveloped messes. With the sequel, Chad Stahelski, Keanu Reeves and the production team have gone even further, resulting in another excellent effort from true experts of the action craft.

John Wick Chapter 2 picks up right from the last one, with the deadly hitman taking back his car which was stolen by the antagonist in the original film, a furious opening that hooks into the audience. From here the first act hits the same beats as the original; Wick is once again wronged by a high-ranking member of the mob, this time from the Italian crime lord Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio), which eventually turns into a vengeance mission. But at the second act, things go sideways for John as a bounty is placed on his head and that’s where things really get started. The unpredictable tension is heightened immensely as the hitman dashes from place to place, not knowing who will be after him next. It never lets up all the way to finish, allowing Chapter 2 to set itself apart and create a scenario with even more intensity. The pressure keeps piling on top of John as the film proceeds, making it even more unpredictable and intense than the first film. There’s also a far greater focus on structure and rules this time around as John Wick Chapter 2 delves deeper into the criminal underworld, showcasing a code that switches up the narrative even more. For example, one part of this restricts the conducting of business, violent or otherwise, inside a criminal hub. By switching up the proceedings in this way, John Wick Chapter 2 skirts around the trap of most sequels, continuing rather than rehashing its predecessor.

With a greater focus on the criminal underworld, Chapter 2 introduces a more diverse set of characters that really deepen and expand the seedy world the central character inhabits. The introduction of Laurence Fishburne as the leader of a band of highly trained folks on the fringes of society is a highlight, creating a smooth personality that contrasts with the more controlled serious nature of the mob. Other assassins also make their entrance here; rapper Common as Cassian and Ruby Rose as Ares both deliver great physical performances, throwing themselves into the combat sequences. The main characters haven’t lost any of their impact either; Wick’s tortured life once again imbues an element of sympathy to his character, he wishes he could escape the life of a hitman and settle down but finds he has no choice. Reeves’ performance is matched by Ian Mcshane’s Winston, whose stern mannerisms ground the film’s theme of rules into the film seamlessly. Strong yet simple characterisation allows John Wick Chapter 2 to commit ample time to what it does best; pure adrenaline-charged action.

John Wick Chapter 2 continues the original’s talent at producing expertly shot and choreographed action sequences; with a multitude of fighting styles present, not even one of these is ever obscured from view or drops its obsessive attention to detail. As John Wick efficiently shoots and punches his way through the film, excellent stunt work, brutal violence and confident editing work in tandem to deliver a blend that few other action films can match. The overall look of Chapter 2 feels far more elaborate than its predecessor, with a dazzling opera event that leads to the film’s best action scene where Wick alternates between different firearms in a claustrophobic underground setting. A collection of montage shots is used to keep the action moving along quickly, meaning it never loses its frenetic edge, while the soundtrack’s combined use of echoing synths and pulse-pounding flourishes continues to give off the neo-noir style that characterises the series. The set designs are appropriately high class, with ritzy hotels placed against backdrops of New York and Rome respectively. The second chapter in John Wick’s story sets a high standard for every other film in its genre; it works with every action element so slickly that it’s hard to imagine any other action franchise coming close to its level of quality.

Deftly produced and viciously thrilling, John Wick: Chapter 2 is an action spectacle, one which ups the ante from the original while providing one of the best thrillers of the year so far. You’ll be blown away and then some.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)