As an action movie mega fan, I’ve always loved the John Wick franchise. If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching any of the films, I encourage you to do so. John Wick is created and directed by stunt coordinator Chad Stahelski and it shows. Across the four films, you will find a deep understanding of what makes action storytelling special. Chapter 4 is no different and delivers a truly special conclusion that is immensely satisfying.

The basic story of Chapter 4 sees John desperately searching for a way out from under the High Table, an international assassin guild he was once a part of. The only solution is a one-on-one duel against a leading member of The Table.

Like the other films, the story of John Wick: Chapter 4 (although simple) is surprisingly enrapturing. This is due in part to the likable and distinctive supporting characters John meets along his journey. Familiar faces return in the form of Winston, a hotel manager played by Ian McShane, and the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). However, new characters such as the blind assassin Caine (Donny Yen) and the German gambler Killa (Scott Adkins) steal the spotlight for me.

Both deliver fantastic performances and have some of my favorite action scenes. Bill Skarsgard also excels here in the role of the villainous Marquis De Gramont. Reeves gives another endearing performance in the leading role. He is a shining example of physical acting at its best as John Wick himself has probably the fewest lines of the major characters. Nonetheless, his presence and internal struggles are undeniably clear and extremely powerful.

Another thing that makes this franchise special is the cinematography and symbolism littered sporadically throughout the story. It’s not just the action scenes that are well-shot. Simple exchanges between characters manage to say so much and are veiled with layers of meaning. Illusions to classical literature and mythology abound here, foreshadowing each step of John’s journey and providing further personality to the world built over the course of each film.

Somehow even after four films, the action scenes are still wonderfully exciting and enthralling. This is in part due to the grandiose locations such as the national art center of Tokyo, the stairs of Suzanne Valadon, and the Arc de Triomphe of Paris.

The choreography is flawless and my only real issue with it is a matter of personal taste. These films had to make choreographed gun work look great due to the efficiency of the weapon itself. Guns end a life so quickly that it doesn’t work as well in the one-on-one close-quarters combat that is often utilized here. To circumvent this power, our main characters wear bulletproof clothing and utilize it in a way that is wholly unrealistic.

Of course, I’m not going to pretend that most action movie combat is practical in a real fight. However, it makes it a little easier for me to suspend my disbelief if there was less of a reliance on bulletproof clothing and instead more emphasis on the environmental cover. Whenever the film does make this change it makes for some of the best gun fights I’ve ever seen.

The music and editing are also superb, always fitting with the scene at hand. The thumping electronic score is another essential aspect of the stylistic tone of the John Wick films bringing Stahelski’s vision of violence into sharp focus.

The finale of this film cements it as an action epic in the truest sense. It’s a perfect sendoff for the character and does not disappoint in terms of scale and spectacle. It’s regrettable that stunt work is never recognized by the Academy Awards given the clear amount of effort that must have gone into this and the physical wear and tear on the crew. John Wick: Chapter 4 is my favorite film of the year so far. It has everything I love in terms of storytelling all wrapped into a wonderfully tragic tale of struggle, endurance, and even friendship.

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John Wick: Chapter 4

0.00

10

Score

10.0/10

Pros

• Creative, thrilling action
• Great supporting cast
• Wonderful cinematography
• Symbolism and imagery