John Wick Chapter 4 (2023) review: yeah, we’re thinking five stars
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After three films, and with the most unexpected of origins, the John Wick franchise has gone on to be one of the best action film franchises ever made. Starting on a mesmerising high and maintaining that same quality, I cannot think of another action series that can claim the same unthinkable feat. So, in the face of Chapter 4, would this be the moment that Mr. Wick finally stumbled? Well, what do you think?
After the events of Parabellum, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is preparing for all out war, as Winston (Ian McShane) loses The Continental, and the powerful and ruthless high table member Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) is taking charge of bringing Wick down and making an example of him in the process. However, there is a path to victory and freedom for our excommunicado’d hit-boogey-man, but it will take the nigh on impossible to achieve.
John Wick: Chapter 4 confirms it, this franchise is the best action series ever. The fight choreography is as detailed and painstakingly faultless as the aesthetic, and the story relishes in further unfurling this rich assassin-laden world, with soul, joy and even poignancy. Even fitting in a wonderful tribute to The Warriors, in its uphill battle story of a man fighting for his freedom but more than that, for a greater purpose, to bring down a tyrannical system and most of all for love. Topped by one of the finest climactic set pieces ever, filled with visual innovation, drama and style.
The roster of characters great and small expand, with more memorable supporting characters (old and mostly new) joining the ever superb Keanu Reeves’ Mr. Wick on this bullet-riddled, dog-leaping, waterfall-walled journey. Some of the standouts include Lawrence Fishburne who is having more fun than you thought possible as the Bowery King, the ever brilliant McShane, the sadistic Skarsgård and Donnie Yen as blind hitman Caine, whose character is rich in detail and connection, and makes a perfect reflection in many ways to Wick himself. There are also some show stealing moments of support by the likes of Hiroyuki Sanada’s honourable character Shimazu, Clancy Brown as the quietly wise Harbinger, Shamier Anderson as Mr. Nobody, with his trusty canine sidekick, and an unrecognisable Scott Adkins as the mad as a march hare German High Table member Killa. There is not a single weak link.
The hefty near 3-hour running time flew by for me, and the film – even by previous franchise standards – manages to one-up your every expectation, no matter how large, delivering next level action that leaves you floored, exhilarated and engaged. Also, the film acts as a tribute to not only the lore and elements we all love from the series and to the presence of its perfect leading man, but to the late Lance Reddick, whose turn as loyal concierge Charon is almost troublingly apt at points, and his memory not only feels present in the film, but integral to it, the story comes to be a testament to him in so many respects, and this truly is a fitting final stop on his incredible film career.
Chad Stahelski has really achieved something here, leaving things at a point that could quite conceivably be the worthiest of finales for Keanu Reeves’ epic creation, but also (perhaps more likely – considering the box office) tantalisingly tease an unpredictable future. Though if we ever return, they will need a very good reason, as this was simply perfect. And a film that was made for the big screen on a visual, audible, physical and emotional level.
John Wick Chapter 4 is a staggering action classic, that proves this series is action cinema’s greatest franchise. Yeah.
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