Until now, the John Wick films represented a tight, unique and impressive trilogy, despite the third entry’s cliffhanger that left us guessing. For anyone doubting whether a fourth instalment was necessary, throw those doubts away, as John Wick: Chapter 4 is the best in the franchise so far.
What started as a very simple premise in the original movie (man’s dog is killed, man seeks revenge) has become a multi-faceted, fantastical world with ever-evolving rules and characters. With Keanu Reeves once again reprising his role as the stoic John Wick, Chapter 4 sees the bounty on Wick’s head getting bigger and bigger, as he takes on the High Table for a chance at retribution. One can be forgiven for forgetting faces and losing track of the plot – and for those new to the John Wick saga, this may be a deterrent. Fear not, the qualities of a John Wick movie – and in particular Chapter 4 – lie in its intense, impressive choreographed action sequences and its utterly beautiful cinematography. One standout sequence involves an aerial, one-take shot overlooking a floor plan that will last with audiences and set a new standard in action films for years to come.
Wick kills a lot of people, and as a result, it’s hard to keep consistently raising the stakes and engaging audiences. By adding numerous characters with quirks, nuances and personalities, Chapter 4 succeeds in maintaining momentum and interest. Donnie Yen, who stars as Caine, commands his scenes and elicits some empathy early. Without giving anything away, the character of Mr Nobody calls the franchise back to its (arguably simple) roots – making for a satisfying conclusion. As always, the international settings for all scenes are immaculate. Particularly highlighting Paris and its surrounds, this film truly incorporates the location and geography as additional characters, which adds to the film’s theatricality and allure.
With an almost three-hour run time, this film is a commitment, albeit one that absolutely pays off. Keanu Reeves has cemented himself as a stalwart of cinema who has consistently stood the rest of time and cemented a franchise that could arguably be more relevant and entertaining to today’s audiences than James Bond.
Needless to say, the film reaches a satisfying conclusion. What is left for the future of Wick remains to be seen, but one can return to this film repeatedly and marvel at both its reinvention of the action genre as well as its commitment to its outlandish universe.
Five stars.