John Wick: Chapter 2 Review

So I finally got around to seeing the much anticipated and electrifying sequel titled John Wick: Chapter 2.



SPOILER FREE

       Let me start by saying that before this movie came out, I thoroughly enjoyed the first John Wick for what it was. It was a fast-paced, gutsy, well-filmed and brutal action flick, that's right up there with the first Taken in regards to how it gets straight to the point with its plot and doesn't waste time with pointless exposition, but instead gives audiences exactly what they want which is kinetic action with a lead character they can connect with and enemies they can grow to hate. What the audience wanted from the first one was just pure and relentless action with no bars holding it back along with a main character that audiences can relate to and care about as he exacts his revenge upon his former employer. With the character of John Wick played surprisingly well by Keanu Reeves (Whose perfect in the lead role) in both movies (Did Reeves discover some hidden acting skills over the last decade?), audiences find that character they can connect with as well as find him compelling when he goes on his own personal revenge rampage against those who did wrong to him and his dog. The first John Wick was a solid action movie, that was entertaining and delivered exactly on its promises to audiences in regards to being intense and action-packed. Fast-forward three years later and we are now at the release of John Wick: Chapter ll. Not only is John Wick ll a highly satisfying sequel to the first movie, but it's also an expertly crafted action movie that exceeds expectations while pushing the boundaries of action movies in today's generation. 

John Wick: Chapter ll is more of what fans of the first movie loved except it's given to them in higher doses, especially pertaining to the action. The violence and gore is way more excessive in this film in comparison to the original, and the filmmakers do a damn fine job of weaving the violence into the story. In an era where many action films go the PG-13 route, it's nice to see the John Wick production team stand by their convictions and shock audiences with how much further they push the envelope in regards to the action and gore factor. The sequel doesn't just beat the first film in terms of action, it completely obliterates it in that department, while using newer camera techniques to capture the realism and intensity of each action sequence. For those who enjoyed the first movie and feared that the filmmakers might've pushed back on the violence for the sequel, it's the exact opposite which is admirable because the increased action never gets in the way of the story, with the latter always remaining front and center from start to finish. With the action being much better than the first film, almost making that one seem like PG-13 action in comparison, the storyline for John Wick is expanded making it feel much more like an actual part ll to the first films story and not feeling tacked on like Taken 2 did with Taken. John Wick: Chapter ll has Reeves character returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, but while doing so discovers that a large bounty has been placed on his life from his actions from the first movie. As far as sequels go, Chapter 2 of John Wick does exactly what its meant to do, which is to continue the main characters journey while doubling down on the impressive, expertly choreographed action that made its predecessor such a fun experience with audiences. Reeves is simply awesome as John Wick, representing perfect casting as well as demonstrating that he's greatly matured as an actor since the days of The Matrix and is more comfortable with his persona. Speaking of The Matrix, his reunion with Laurence Fishburne in this film with leave audiences having goosebumps while being genuinely happy to see the two reunite together on the big screen. John Lequizamo, Common, and Ian McShane deliver strong supporting performances as associates of John Wick with Common and Reeves sharing some impressive action set-pieces and tension together, especially during their big fight scene and Subway shootout sequence.  The best thing that can be said about the storyline for John Wick: Chapter ll is how it ties up the loose ends of the first film, while expanding on the criminal world introduced in that film. As far as the stories go when being paired together side by side, the first movies plot is easier to digest and more straight forward than the second movies. Whereas the first one had Wick recently losing his wife to an illness, being robbed by his bosses son and his dog murdered with him going on a mission for revenge, the sequel opens up more doors to explore the type of criminal world that Reeves character was associated with. While giving audiences more answers to questions posed in the first film isn't a bad thing, it can also come off as being rather confusing for others. Luckily the story remains mostly consistent and builds upon what was established previously rather than creating a convulted mess. With the sequel, audiences really get to know Wick on a more personal level, but still get a genuine kick out of seeing him turn into his badass action mode.

      Overall John Wick: Chapter 2 is more of the same ingredients that made the first movie such a surprise hit with audiences, although the most shocking part about the sequel, is it's quality and how consistent it is with the first film. The sequel works so well that it truly does earn the title of being Chapter 2 of the series unlike Taken's sequel, which is a major stepdown from the first film. In terms of action, the second film is much better than the first but story goes to the first film. In comparison to all the big budget Hollywood CGI blockbusters that come out today, John Wick 2 shows that you don't need special effects to leave an impact on audiences as the film contains crazy doses of thrills. If one is a pure action fanatic going into this movie, they will be pleasantly surprised with how much the bar is pushed with this sequel in terms of the violence and gore department. In this day and age of moviemaking, it's hard to find an action film that is well-constructed in both storytelling and action while sticking to it's guns of being old-school action that dares to push the boundaries of what action movies should be like in today's climate of filmmaking, but John Wick 2 becomes that movie. It's the action film that pleases fans of the first movie, while giving older moviegoers a taste of the level of violence that's been missing from action flicks these days. John Wick: Chapter 2 is further proof that one does not need impressive explosions and endless amounts of special effects to make a good sequel. One of the stronger films of 2017 thus far as well as being a strong sequel to it's smash hit predecessor. Here's hoping that a third film is made and turns out just as good so Wick gets to have a consistent action trilogy that starts off strong and ends on a powerful note. The final scene of Wick 2 is bound to give audiences goosebumps as they leave the theater richly satisfied with this installment but find themselves begging the question of what comes next while craving for more.

                                                                                                                                                 8.5/10