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John Wick 4, the neo-noir action thriller series that many of us have waiting so long for, is finally here. The film continues the journey of John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, as he seeks to get revenge against the High Table, clear his name, and attain his freedom, once for and while. However, such a task is not without its complications as the world of assassins is an endless competition to eliminate the ultimate hit man. As a new yet major fan of this series, I had to check it out over the weekend. Rest assured, no spoilers will be discussed in this review.
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It goes without saying that the world of John Wick is one of mystery and intrigue, and never fails to be action-packed and just downright bonkers. Visually, we see a continuation of Chad Stahelski’s iconic mixing of vibrant colors with shadows and nighttime elements all throughout the film. From the gorgeous, neon-vibrant backdrop of Osaka to the elegant and gothic aesthetic of Paris, the film also is one long montage of enticing locations that are effortlessly paired with point-blank violence.
Speaking of which, the choreography is no doubt very typical of a John Wick movie and yet, it somehow manages to increase the action tenfold. It almost feels like there is never a dull or quiet moment, because even in scenes that are intended to be much more strategic than guns blazing end up feeling rather rambunctious in the best way possible. There are stakes attached but oddly enough, there is comedy that fills the theater with laughter, something I never thought I’d hear during a movie like this.
And the best part? None of it interrupts the flow of the story which is quick and easy to understand, and doesn’t rely on fluff to keep us on the edge of our seat. Every character, every motivation, and every move is calculated and benefits the overall story-telling process in the end. And there’s no denying how well this film utilizes the talented performances from its entire cast.
With Keanu Reeves back in the game, there’s no doubt that he owns John Wick and disappears within the role as he has for the last three films. One cannot help but root for and love Keanu and the stoic man to whom we’ve all grown attached. Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, and the dearly missed Lance Reddick reprise their roles, albeit for very different amounts of screen time which may or may not matter, depending on the viewer.
Hiroyuki Sanada and Donnie Yen are absolutely stellar in their roles as they consistently showcase their skill and veteran status. Bill Skarsgard is a peculiar mix of menacing and annoying, which all play into his role perfectly. But the surprising and enjoyable performances come from Shamier Anderson as an unnamed Tracker and Rina Sawayama as Akira. Both characters prove to be intriguing enough that it didn’t feel as if we got enough of either of them. Here’s to hoping they get more exposure in future films.
If you loved the first three John Wick films, you’ll love this one as well. It is nothing but John Wick just John Wick-ing everywhere like a true John Wick would! It is foolish and ambitious, and yet despite being the fourth installment in a series, it succeeds in being an absolute gem of a film. Whatever the future holds for this franchise, you can count on me to be watching.
Samosa Rating:
John Wick 4 receives 5 out of 5 Samosas.
John Wick 4 is now playing in theaters.
Runtime: 2h 49m
