John Wick: Chapter 4 Review: The ‘John Wick’ series has been clear and precise in its offering, and Chapter 4, aka JW4, is no different in its premise. It builds on what the franchise has become synonymous with – high-octane, dazzling fight choreography and close-quarter combat featuring Keanu Reeves doing what he does best. But JW4 turns it all up a notch, expanding the mythos of the High Table with old players, featuring Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and the late Lance Reddick, but also introduces a mix of new characters who are all instantly memorable.
Scott Adkins is virtually unrecognisable yet thoroughly enjoyable as Killa – a scenery-chewing villain plucked straight out of a James Bond movie. Donnie Yen often steals the show as Caine with his clean and crisp artistry, which warrants his own spin-off. Adding to the list of martial art legends are Hiroyuki Sanada and Marko Zaror, whose distinctive styles are hard to miss. Bill Skarsgård is menacingly measured as Marquis – a stylish baddie begging to be dispatched in the most brutal way. A wildcard thrown into the mix is Shamier Anderson’s mysterious Mr Nobody with his feisty canine companion. Rina Sawayama makes her film debut with some standout sequences of her own. However, the film rests on Keanu Reeves’ stoic shoulders, and his actions continue to speak louder than words with a relentless commitment to up the ante.
This high-calibre roster allows elaborately choreographed fight sequences to be presented in wide frames without fast-paced cuts. The results are breathtaking, with scenes shot inventively to often make JW4 play out like a live-action video game, perfectly capturing this franchise’s tone and feel. Director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves have been pushing for more acknowledgement of stunt work in film. JW4’s remarkable stunt performers pull off innumerable jaw-dropping moments, presenting a showcase of their invaluable contribution to the entertainment industry. If the first John Wick film raised the bar for the spectacle of fight-based storytelling while reinforcing Keanu Reeves as a bona fide action star, JW4 redefines the gold standard for the genre.
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