ADirected by Chad Stahelski Starring Keanu Reeves Review by Phil Crone |  |
Sequels for movies that don’t demand sequels are always dangerous territory. Too often they don’t understand what made the original great, sign on writers/directors/actors that don’t fit with the original mold, and focus too much on rehashing the original story. “John Wick Chapter 2” commits none of these sins. It sounds so cliché, but it’s true here: if you liked “John Wick,” you’re going to love the second chapter.
The original gained the bulk of its accolades thanks to its incredible over-the-top action scenes. “Chapter 2” delivers in spades here early and often. By the time the title flashed across the screen, I already knew attempting to find an accurate body count was pointless. Each action scene is incredibly well shot and choreographed, a veritable ballet of blood and bullets shot in extended takes with a mastery beyond the years of now second-time director Chad Stahelski. In a bit of an added bonus, we also get several well-done and tense hand-to-hand combat scenes. Reeves definitely lumbers a bit here (he is 52 after all), but the scenes are still entertaining and a welcome addition to accent the bullet storm. Any of the extended kill streaks would be the standout piece of any movie, but perhaps the most inventive and impressive scene here was the extended cat-and-mouse game between Wick and Cassian (played by Common) which I won’t spoil beyond that.
Secretly, the real magic of the original was the world-building with The Continental and the shadowy network of assassins that followed their own implicit code of honor and trafficked in their own society that even included a currency of its own. “John Wick” focuses its time on Wick himself and leaves much of the world unexplored. “Chapter 2” triples-down on the world, adding additional nuances to the benefits of Continental membership, the assassins’ code, and the overall hierarchy of power. Even with all the added depth, I can see there’s even more to explore here, and I’m excited to see where the third chapter goes.
Unlike the original, we definitely get an ending setting up for a third chapter. If that’s a pet peeve of yours, just be ready for a cliffhanger. This is a complete story, but it’s clear that quite a bit of pipe is being laid for a third chapter.
“John Wick Chapter 2” recognizes what made “John Wick” great and expands it in a smart direction. This is definitely not a rehash, but a well-thought-out extension of a simple story and a very complex and incredible world. Chapter 3 (already announced in pre-production) cannot get here soon enough.
Grade: A
Secretly, the real magic of the original was the world-building with The Continental and the shadowy network of assassins that followed their own implicit code of honor and trafficked in their own society that even included a currency of its own. “John Wick” focuses its time on Wick himself and leaves much of the world unexplored. “Chapter 2” triples-down on the world, adding additional nuances to the benefits of Continental membership, the assassins’ code, and the overall hierarchy of power. Even with all the added depth, I can see there’s even more to explore here, and I’m excited to see where the third chapter goes.
Unlike the original, we definitely get an ending setting up for a third chapter. If that’s a pet peeve of yours, just be ready for a cliffhanger. This is a complete story, but it’s clear that quite a bit of pipe is being laid for a third chapter.
“John Wick Chapter 2” recognizes what made “John Wick” great and expands it in a smart direction. This is definitely not a rehash, but a well-thought-out extension of a simple story and a very complex and incredible world. Chapter 3 (already announced in pre-production) cannot get here soon enough.
Grade: A
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