The years most anticipated action movie has arrived, the third installment in the popular
John Wick series titled
John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum. After the tremendous success of the first two films, much expectation was placed on the third installment in the iconic series to deliver on living up to the first two films while upgrading the insane action sequences that elevated the first two films while deepening the story. Very few action movie franchises manage to remain consistent by the third outing with most instances falling short. With the release of
John Wick: Chapter 3, Parabellum not only manages to meet expectations but surpasses them in almost every aspect while showing that the key to making a successful third installment in an action movie series is keeping the main character engaging while enhancing the story as well as maintaining the thrills of the previous installments.
Building upon the story established with the first two
John Wick movies,
John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum centers around super-assassin John Wick being on the run after killing a member of the international assassin's guild. Breaking a rule that leaves him thoroughly unprotected with a $14 million price tag on his head, Wick becomes the target of hit men and women everywhere while searching for allies to help him survive. What made the first
John Wick a surprise hit for audiences in terms of its quality, is how it took a simple revenge plot revolving around a man avenging his dog and tracking down the gangsters that attacked and took everything from him. The plot was basic for a revenge film but it delivered high-kinetic action while providing a role that allowed Keanu Reeves to not only deliver one of his strongest acting performances in years, but also receive a full career makeover.
John Wick was stylish, thrilling, fast-paced, and genuinely refreshing as it presented a new kind of action star that ran parallel to Liam Neeson's character in
Taken. What made it really connect with audiences outside of the insane action sequences is the drama that lies within the heart of the film mainly with the character of John Wick. Reeves was the perfect casting choice for the film has he was able to channel much of his real life traumatic experiences into the part that the audience upon reading of his real life tragedies can feel being portrayed within the role. The first
John Wick film grabbed the audience by the collar almost immediately and didn't let up until the end while still leaving you wanting more.
John Wick: Chapter 2 took what audiences loved about the first movie and delivered more of it while expanding on the story line of the first film.
Chapter 2 really showcased more of Wicks skills while expanding on the criminal underworld elements of the story. Unlike most action sequels,
John Wick: Chapter 2 defied expectations and built upon the first films universe with non-stop action sequences, that are brilliantly choreographed while having a thrilling story to back it up.
Whereas the first two
John Wick movies are the set up for
Parabellum, the third movie is the big payoff as its easily the biggest John Wick movie in terms of story, scope, and action. The audience has no clue of whether John Wick will survive the bounty placed upon him in this film but take great enjoyment in the thrill of seeing him fight his way out of a nightmarish scenario with his trusty dog by his side. What director Chad Stahelski and writers Derek Kolstad, Chris Collins, Marc Abrams, and Shay Hatten do that defies the general consensus of a third film in an action trilogy is they raise the stakes higher by making the obstacles the main character faces more deadlier and harder to overcome while creating an experience that's nail biting for the audience. The filmmakers clearly understand that all the impressive action sequences and choreography in the film are pointless and boring unless the audience is connected with the main characters. The
John Wick trilogy is one that continues to succeed and flourish because they understand that logic and never lose sight of the main narrative of the story.
Parabellum carries with it themes that keep in line with the first two films such as chaos, honour, bounty's, contract killing, love, making amends, fate, and loyalty with a message that ultimately says that life is pain as evidenced by what the audience see's with John Wicks character. What separates the
John Wick action trilogy from other action trilogies is it took a concept from the first movie which remained fairly grounded and expanded it while maintaining the shock and awe that audiences had with each previous installment. With each new installment, the story got bigger and deeper with the main character of Wick becoming more badass and sympathetic.
In terms of the films acting, the performances are once again top notch with Reeves proving that he is the perfect choice for the part. With the role of John Wick, Reeves delivers an amazing physical performance while switching to a more relaxed yet confident state when playing it calm. His acting has really come a long way from the days of
Speed and
The Matrix as he feels more believable and natural in his roles while applying his emotions to the main character. Halle Berry delivers a solid performance as Sofia, an old friend of Wick that owes him a favor. Her and Reeves work well together on screen and demonstrate great chemistry. Ian McShane delivers another terrific performance as Winston from
Chapter 2 who provides unsanctioned help to Wick. Laurence Fishburne delivers a strong performance playing one of Wicks allies while making audiences get a kick out of seeing a mini
Matrix reunion with him and Reeves working together again. Lance Reddick and Anjelica Houston turn in noteworthy performances as individuals that Wick comes across in his path and end up aiding him. Asia Kate Dillon does a terrific job playing the films main antagonist, an Adjudicator that's assigned to look into the unsanctioned help given to Wick by allied forces. As far as the performances go, everyone delivered strong performances and clearly looked like they were having fun playing their roles while adding depth to the story.
As far as directing goes, the stuntmen turned directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch deliver another phenomenal job with the third chapter in the popular
Wick series, delivering a striking visual world that's both dark and bleak while remaining unapologetic in it's relentless use of extreme yet well choreographed violence. Instead of making fast-cut fight sequences, the takes are longer and more drawn-out to showcase the physical strength of the actors while allowing the audience to follow the fights progression. The films library fight sequence is a prime example of being so over-the-top and brutal that it works effectively as a form of deadly combat with books being used as knives essentially. Another amazing action sequence in the film is the iconic horse vs motorbike gauntlet involving swords that's so insanely over-the-top it makes the films action sequences standout while never feeling like its poking fun at itself. The film is essentially one big roller-coaster ride that once the action starts, it never lets up. The films pacing meets the action halfway as the movie never feels slow, but maintains its speed and the adrenaline that pours out of the action sequences. What makes
Parabellum as well as the rest of the
John Wick series unique as action flicks is how they showcase almost every form of fighting and action in general with impressive shots. Stahelski and Leitch accompany the incredible action sequences with impressive art-set designs and stunning cinematography which capture the action sequences in a larger than life format. A lot of great care and love went into this movie showing that the audience isn't just watching any standard action flick, they are witnessing a truly intense yet special experience that's made with a genuine labor of love and excitement for telling its story.
One cannot help but wonder when Chad Stahelski and David Leitch set out to make the first movie, did they ever expect the story line for that film to become a full blown saga with a unique action revenge story that not only gave
Taken a ride for its money but returned Keanu Reeves to form as an action star. Through the experience of making the
John Wick movies, he has become a much stronger actor and is finally recognized as a genuine celebrity both on and off the camera.
John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum is hands down the best installment in the
John Wick trilogy while serving as an example that its truly possible to make a consistent action franchise that gets better with each film. Everything from this film screams top notch from the acting to the action, the amazing set designs and cinematography to the excellent choreography and brisk pacing. If you thought the gun shooting scenes and the action in the second film couldn't be topped, then you're in for a real treat with the third film as everything is bigger and better. The film also leaves the door open for a fourth installment in the
John Wick series with the audience feeling more confident about it after seeing how well
Parabellum was handled. The
John Wick trilogy is the one action franchise that doesn't lose its touch and only gets better and better.
Parabellum is easily the years strongest action movie thus far and lays a pretty serious claim for technical Oscar nominations for Best-Art And Set Decoration, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects, and Best Film Editing.
John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum is an endless ride of thrills and excitement that never dies down and always keeps you wanting more.
Final Verdict: A MUST SEE
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