John Wick Chapter 4

 

John Wick Chapter 4

John is back. This film is campish and cartoonish. If you are a fan of the John Wick franchise or appreciate this genre, this is your film. Besides the mayhem there are other appealing aspects. The venues are an important part of the movie taking place in New York City, Paris, Osaka and Berlin. The staging and productions are luxurious from Versailles to a throbbing Berlin disco. The plot is about revenge and cashing in on Wick’s bounty. Before seeing this movie, you may want to take a fresher on chapters 1, 2 and 3, especially if you are over 70.

John Wick is somber like his black suit. His speech is sparse and communicates better with his fists and guns. For Keanu Reeves the John Wick character is a second skin and he wears it well. Even though John Wick is an assassin his character is likable. Presumably the villains he kills are worse than him.

The rogue gallery is back. Ian McShane is Winston Scott the manager of the Continental Hotel. Lance Reddick the hotel concierge, and Laurance Fishburne, the Bowery King reprise their roles. There are new characters. Donnie Yen is a blind assassin with unique skills. He uses motion detectors to dispatch his enemies. Bill Skarsgard is the main villain as the Marquis a powerful member of the High Table; his wardrobe redefines the term dandy. Dogs are an integral part of the Wick films and the dog here has a mean bite and a low target.

The stunts are a big part of the Wick movies. The car crashes around the Arc de Triomphe do not bode well for French drivers. Wick bounces off cars with little damage reminiscent of Wiley Coyote. Tumbling down the hundred plus stairs of Sacre-Coeur is almost comical. The gun fights are too numerous to count. John is a master of the head shot because everyone is wearing Kevlar armor or suits. DuPont should pay a fee for product placement.  

If you are into it the film is fun.