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John Wick is arguably one of the greatest action franchises of this century. We were introduced to the iconic titular character played by Keanu 9 years ago in a surprise hit that did not take long to become a sensation. The creators raised the bar with each installment and cemented its place as a top-tier action franchise. The fans patiently awaited the arrival of chapter 4 in 2019, and I can confidently say that it was worth the wait.
The film picks up right from where Chapter 3 left us with John Wick ready to go again. We get introduced to our main villain Marquis de Gramont, played by Bill Skarsgard and the anti-hero Caine, played by Donnie Yen very early on. The plot feels more focused as we get introduced to the other new characters and as the conflict is established. The first act is mainly directed toward the setup, but ends with a very impressive fight sequence at Osaka’s Continental.
The writers also do well to make the viewers care for the characters. Everyone has their own motivations for their actions and some Subplots also add emotional value to the story. Bill Skarsgard does very well to become as unlikeable as possible, while Donnie Yen cements his screen charisma right from his first fight sequence and leaves you no choice but to be impressed with his moves, despite playing a blind character. Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne are as charismatic as always, and of course, Keanu Reeves kills it as our protagonist.
The second act also has some bright moments with another round of impressive action sequences but slows down a little. Here’s when I felt the pacing for the first time. But the stakes and the tension keep you on the edge of your seat. But the third act is where it all pays off. Right from the beginning of the final act, we get non-stop, jaw-dropping action blocks, and each one tops its predecessor. It has some of the best fight sequences I’ve ever seen that was creatively captured by the brilliant Chad Stahelski.
The other major highlight of the film apart from the action is the cinematography by Dan Laustsen. The film takes each and every shot seriously and leaves no stone unturned when it comes to visuals. Some of the shots are absolutely breathtaking. The hard work with lighting, camera angles and coloring is very evident in the frames. I did not expect to be blown away by the visuals while going into this one, and I would not be surprised if Laustsen is a major contender for best cinematography at the academy awards next year.
There is really not much to criticize about this movie apart from the pacing in some parts. John Wick: Chapter 4 somehow feels refreshing and more mature than the previous entries. It is a step up from the last 3 films not only in terms of action, but it fires on all cylinders in almost every aspect of filmmaking. Chad Stahelski has more or less mastered this genre and the production value gives it a grand and epic feel to this wild journey, which has resulted in this franchise not only maintaining consistency but also setting new standards for action movies in the industry.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is bigger, better, badass and an incredibly brutal action spectacle. It is easily one of the most slick, stylish and visually stunning movies you’ll ever see. It delivers exactly what it promises and more. For people who are concerned about the runtime, after watching that third act you’ll wish the movie was longer. If you like this franchise then you’ll definitely want to check this one out on the biggest screen possible. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. It is simply a delightful feast for lovers of the genre.
★★★★½
