Keanu Reeves is back with a bang in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ the latest addition to the popular action-thriller franchise. Directed by Chad Stahelski, the movie presents another brutal and captivating adventure that fans of the series will love.
Wick World is a world of violence, where the story is stripped down to minimalism, and the focus is on the fights, the stunts, and the violence. The fourth chapter in the series is no exception, and it pretty much plays out like the previous movies, though at a longer runtime of 169 minutes.
The movie sees John Wick (Keanu Reeves), the laconic assassin with a hazy backstory and extraordinary skills, visit Paris and paint the town red. He is once again antagonizing his former employers, a villainous syndicate called the High Table, and fighting for his life against other assassins. The action is non-stop, and there is relatively little dialogue and downtime, making it a fast-paced, high-octane experience.
The movie features some new faces, including cautious friendlies (Hiroyuki Sanada, Rina Sawayama), sympathetic combatants (Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson), and another filthy-rich villain (Bill Skarsgard), who adds a new dimension to the story. The series has expanded its geographical coordinates to the Middle East, Japan, and Europe, giving viewers a glimpse of the different corners of the world where John Wick’s adventures take him.
The movie’s director, Chad Stahelski, is a stunt veteran and likes to show off bodies as they move in space, using close-ups, medium shots, and full-figure framing à la Astaire. This allows viewers to appreciate the geometry and precision of the fight choreography and the performers’ physicality, their grace, and steely power. This focus also highlights the frailty and impermanence of these bodies, their humanness, especially Wick’s, who is repeatedly brutalized despite his seemingly invincible nature.
One of the things that set the Wick World apart from other action-thriller franchises is that it aestheticizes violence without the usual blah-blah rationales and appeals to conscience. The violence is untethered from reality and is as unrealistic as it is in zombie flicks, making the movie feel like a grim fairy tale, a distorted mirror of our world.
The series reminds us of the real stakes, starting at the box office, but central to its appeal is how it reminds us of the fragility of life, the impermanence of our bodies, and the inevitability of death. This is embodied in Keanu Reeves, who centers this franchise with his grave sincerity, beatific glow, and mesmerizing, rooted fighting style.
In conclusion, ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is a brutal, action-packed addition to the Wick World, with plenty of fights, stunts, and violence for fans of the series to enjoy. The movie stays true to its minimalist story while adding new dimensions to the franchise, expanding its geographical coordinates and introducing new characters. The focus on the physicality of the performers, the fight choreography, and the geometry and precision of the fights is a highlight of the movie, as is Keanu Reeves’s performance, which reminds us of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Overall, the movie is an entertaining and captivating addition to the series, and fans of the franchise won’t be disappointed.
This movie is rated R for its signature gunshots and knife fights. Directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, the film stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou, Lance Reddick, and Clancy Brown. The movie’s runtime is 2 hours and 49 minutes and is currently playing in theaters. With non-stop action and intense thrills, “John Wick: Chapter 4” is not one to miss. So grab your popcorn and get ready for an adrenaline rush!
Also read:John Wick 5 Release Date: What’s The Future Of Chad Stahelski’s Hit Movie Series?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why is John Wick 4 Rated R?
A: “John Wick: Chapter 4” has received an R rating due to its pervasive strong violence and some language. This rating means that the film is not suitable for children under 17 years of age without parental guidance.
Q: Is there anything at the end of John Wick 4?
A: Yes, there is a post-credits scene at the end of John Wick 4. So, it’s worth staying through the credits to see what happens next.
Q: How much did it cost to make John Wick 4?
A: The budget for “John Wick: Chapter 4” was reportedly around $100 million. This budget was necessary to create the film’s incredible action scenes and bring back Keanu Reeves as the titular character, John Wick.