Film Review - John Wick: Chapter 4
Images courtesy of StudioCanal Australia.
When the surprising sleeper hit John Wick struck cinemas in 2014, it blew away many fans of the action film genre. Being helmed by first-time director and former stuntman Chad Stahelski, the film re-invigorated the genre with elements action fans had long craved for – that being long, fluid takes of high-concept action, clear and obvious stunt work and a particular focus on the fact that its lead protagonist isn’t completely indestructible. Since then, Stahelski and title star Keanu Reeves have only expanded on these elements in glorious fashion, releasing three sequels with each not only expanding from the last in scope, technicality and story, but also in critical and commercial success – and John Wick: Chapter 4 looks to be no different.
This time around, John Wick continues to seek the one thing he has been destined to turn his back on the entire franchise – peace. However he is once again interfered with by the franchise’s still enigmatic ‘High Table’ and must go on yet another marvelously bloody and hilariously impossible adventure to escape their restraint and finally exit the life of killing and bloodshed he is undeniably so good at. Reeves returns with another brilliantly committed physical performance as Wick, one only comparable to the classics of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan at this point. He is followed by a surprisingly impressive supporting cast; Bill Skarsgard channels every cheesy 80’s action-movie villain with his French accented Vincent de Gramont as the film’s antagonist - an infectiously fun performance to watch. Donnie Yen also gives an endlessly entertaining and immensely physical turn as a blind High Table assassin and old friend of Wick forced to go after him, and their chemistry and relationship definitely helps elevate the film’s emotional core. Franchise regulars Laurence Fishburne and Ian McShane return and keep the film light with some brilliantly timed comedic moments that left the cinema roaring with laughter steadily throughout the entire film.
If you’re a fan of the franchise already, then you will probably love this entry because perhaps where Chapter 4 excels the most is in its initial pursuit stemming from the franchise’s roots. Stahelski’s endeavour to prove stunt work in film as a legitimate art form is proven beyond doubt here. With more guns, more blood and more deliciously choreographed and gloriously entertaining set pieces that fans have grown to adore, Stahelski takes full advantage of how incredible action cinema can be whenever and wherever he can. Just when you thought the series couldn’t get any more outrageous and impressive, we get sequences like a nail-bitingly long birds-eye-view one-take (a franchise best I might add) that only leaves you questioning - how the hell did they pull that off? Another memorable sequence involves Keanu yet again speeding and drifting away from bad guys with both of his car doors blown off – a light touch that one could only assume is Stahelski’s not-so-secret way of hinting to the audience that Reeves himself is doing all these crazy, death-defying driving stunts.
Like its predecessors, Chapter 4 indulges in its extravagance unapologetically and gives us some of the best action scenes not only in the franchise, but in cinema as a whole. It furthers its lore in exciting new ways while not losing sight of what avid admirers of the series truly love about it – pure cinematic craftsmanship of the highest level.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is screening in cinemas from Thursday 23rd March. For tickets and more info, click here.