The 2014 action thriller John Wick took many by surprise, becoming a sleeper hit with its stylish action and compelling revenge story. Initially, I, like some, may have dismissed it as just another assassin movie. However, catching up before diving into the sequel proved to be a revelation. John Wick is a dark, engaging, and uniquely fun action film that carves its own path. While revenge plots are a classic trope, the catalyst for Wick’s rampage – the murder of his puppy, a final gift from his late wife – felt surprisingly fresh and emotionally resonant. Keanu Reeves, an actor I’ve consistently enjoyed across diverse roles from Bill and Ted to Speed and The Matrix, embodies John Wick with a reserved intensity that perfectly suits the character. Under sharp direction, his portrayal evokes a modern, noir-infused take on a James Bond-esque figure. Having been thoroughly impressed by the original, I was eager to witness John Wick: Chapter 2.
Picking up shortly after the events of the first film, John Wick: Chapter 2 opens with Wick completing his mission to retrieve his stolen car, a powerful start that immediately throws audiences back into the action. Returning home with a new dog, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) seeks the peaceful retirement that has always eluded him, haunted by the memory of his deceased wife. However, the tranquility is short-lived. In a familiar trope for the genre, the underworld comes knocking in the form of Italian crime lord Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio). Santino arrives to collect on a blood oath made years prior, demanding Wick carry out a new assassination. The target? Santino’s own sister, Gianna, whose death would pave the way for him to claim her seat at the high table of mafia bosses. John’s refusal, despite the binding oath, results in a brutal home invasion orchestrated by Santino, leaving Wick with no choice but to accept the dangerous assignment.
Driven by necessity and the threat to his life, John travels to Rome to fulfill his grim task. He locates Gianna at a lavish party, but she chooses to take her own life rather than fall victim to an assassin. As Wick attempts to leave, Santino’s treachery is revealed. Betrayed and double-crossed, John finds himself facing Santino’s heavily armed goons, led by the silent and deadly Ares (Ruby Rose). Managing to escape the Roman underworld and return to New York, Wick discovers that Santino has escalated the stakes dramatically. A staggering seven-million-dollar bounty is placed on his head, turning every corner of the city into a potential threat and erasing any semblance of safety.
John Wick: Chapter 2 successfully transcends the typical sequel pitfalls. It not only expands the intricate and fascinating John Wick universe but also raises the stakes considerably, introducing villains who feel genuinely more menacing and formidable than those in the first installment. Having now experienced the original, it’s clear how challenging it must have been to craft a worthy follow-up to such a strong action film. Unlike franchises like Taken, which often rely on repetitive formulas, John Wick: Chapter 2 maintains a sense of freshness, largely due to a plot that keeps the audience guessing and engaged with its unpredictable twists and turns.
While Chapter 2 is undoubtedly a superb action movie, it’s not without minor imperfections. If there’s a slight drawback, it lies in a perceived pacing issue, particularly after John returns to New York from Rome. The relentless momentum briefly slows as he visits a friend. While this scene offers a glimpse into Wick’s network and past, it feels like a slight detour that could have been streamlined to maintain the film’s otherwise breakneck speed and further explore the enigmatic aspects of John Wick’s background.
Keanu Reeves remains perfectly cast as John Wick. He masterfully conveys the character’s weariness and longing for peace, while simultaneously embodying the lethal capabilities of a legendary assassin. Reeves’ performance underscores the tragic understanding that for John Wick, true happiness and escape from the criminal underworld are perpetually out of reach. This inherent conflict and the rich world-building are more than enough to generate considerable excitement for future John Wick installments.
On a scale of canine companions, John Wick: Chapter 2 earns a solid eight grey pitbulls out of ten. If you were captivated by the first John Wick, you will undoubtedly find yourself equally enthralled, if not more so, by this sequel. John Wick: Chapter 2 is packed with relentless action and expertly crafted fight choreography. The advice remains the same: cherish your dog and definitely go see this action-packed sequel.
