If you’re the kind of moviegoer who lives for breathtaking action sequences and stylish gunplay, then John Wick Chapter 4 delivers in spades. Continuing the saga of the Baba Yaga, this latest installment throws Keanu Reeves back into a world of assassins, weapons, and over-the-top set pieces that have become the hallmark of the John Wick franchise.
However, be prepared to suspend your disbelief – and perhaps your logic – because John Wick Chapter 4, like its predecessors, dials the absurdity up to eleven. From deflecting bullets with a jacket to surviving what should be fatal injuries multiple times, the film operates in a reality far removed from our own. Reeves’ John Wick endures punishment that would incapacitate a mere mortal countless times, only to shrug it off and continue his relentless fight.
One of the more noticeable aspects of the film is the sliding scale of character durability. Minor characters, the countless henchmen who populate the elaborate action scenes, are dispatched with a bullet or two. In contrast, those with speaking roles, the characters deemed “important” to the narrative, can withstand an almost comical amount of damage. At times, particularly during a massive shootout in Paris, it feels as though John Wick is single-handedly reducing the city’s population.
The film’s central conceit, the “secret assassin society,” strains credibility further with each installment. The idea of clandestine operations becomes laughable when John Wick engages in open warfare at iconic locations like the Arc de Triomphe. Holding what essentially amounts to a Blackwater Contracting reunion in such a public space hardly screams “secret” or “under the radar.”
Adding to the film’s increasingly cartoonish nature is a character reminiscent of Mr. Chow from “The Hangover,” made even more outlandish by the decision to make him blind. While the film attempts to make this work, it’s hard to ignore the inherent impracticality of a blind gunfighter in a world that supposedly values deadly efficiency. This choice feels more like a descent into self-aware silliness, even surpassing the questionable casting of Ruby Rose in previous entries.
The original John Wick resonated deeply with audiences because of its emotional core. We connected with John’s grief and his quest for revenge against genuinely reprehensible villains. By Chapter 4, however, John Wick’s motivations become increasingly nebulous. He seems to drift from one visually striking, noir-esque setting to the next, engaging in relentless and often indiscriminate killing sprees. One can’t help but wonder about the lives and families of the scores of nameless adversaries left in his wake.
If you found yourself entertained by John Wick: Chapter 2 and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, then Chapter 4 will likely satisfy your craving for more of the same. It’s a film that demands very little in terms of intellectual engagement, and the plot progression is predictable and formulaic.
Yet, where John Wick Chapter 4 truly shines is in its action choreography and visual presentation. The action sequences, while often resembling a hyper-stylized video game, are expertly filmed and undeniably exciting. The film takes viewers to visually stunning locations, and the costume design remains impeccably stylish. Despite the tactical absurdities and the questionable trope of enemies politely taking turns to attack, Keanu Reeves’ genuine skill in martial arts and firearms handling is evident and adds a layer of authenticity to the otherwise fantastical action.
In conclusion, John Wick Chapter 4 is best enjoyed as a high-octane, visually impressive action spectacle. Think of it as spending three hours playing Call of Duty in your finest suit – a thrilling, if somewhat mindless, way to spend an evening for fans of the genre.
