Director Chad Stahelski
Genre Action | Crime | Thriller
Cast Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Bridget Moynahan
Rating R
Release Date February 10th, 2017
“After returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life.”
John Wick: Chapter 2 is the sequel to the hit action film that took critics by storm in 2014. Chad Stahelski directed the first film and has returned for Chapter 2. The original was his directorial debut as he primarily has been a stunt/martial arts coordinator on films such as 300, The Matrix, V for Vendetta, and The Hunger Games, to name a few. Clearly he has a knack for this directing thing and I expect he will continue to build up that aspect of his already impressive resume. The cast includes Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Bridget Moynahan, Common, and Laurence Fishburne.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is a stylistic shoot-em-up thrill ride that stays true to the original, while adding impressive depth to the story. I will be the first one to admit that I was blown away by the first film a few years ago, partly because it felt like it came out of nowhere, but more importantly it had me on the edge of my seat! All I needed to know was that the stunt crew from The Matrix films were involved, and I was sold. Chapter 2 begins where the first film left off, delivering non-stop action with a hard-hitting soundtrack that matches up perfectly. Rarely does a sequel capture the feel of the original in such a way that you would swear you never left the theater after the first film. Aside from the obvious excitement the world of John Wick provides its audience, what I enjoyed most of all is the immersive world of hitmen for hire, complete with a deep understanding of rules that cannot be broken - a certain code so to speak. I wouldn't consider myself a gun enthusiast, not at all actually, but I honestly found myself in awe of the amazing weaponry at John Wick's disposal. One particular scene had me grinning ear to ear, which was when he went from a handgun to his strategically placed AR-15 to really lay into the bad guys. The sound that rifle made when it fired was what I imagine a Beethoven and Mozart compilation would sound like (if you're into that of course). Even though Wick is a badass, which he is undoubtedly, he still has to resort to his will, determination, and instincts to survive as he empties each clip and seamlessly transitions to perfectly choreographed hand to hand combat. It’s hard to explain, but even with the sad emotional backstory and the egregious amount of killing (headshots mostly, he hates wasting bullets), John Wick: Chapter 2 still maintains the same fun feel some of the best action films from the 90’s always had. But let’s forget about the 90’s, John Wick is the action star of today and that fact makes me very happy, he deserves the honor. Chad Stahelski deserves a lot of credit for his work on Chapter 2 as well as the original, his raw and gritty directing style is top notch.
Similar to the first film, John Wick: Chapter 2 boasts a very talented cast ranging from big names to an under the radar, yet impactful supporting cast. Keanu Reeves was born to play the role of John Wick, a calculated man of few words with a deadly reputation. I read up on the training Reeves went through to prepare for the role and even watched a few videos, and man, he really busted his ass, and his hard work paid off. Each and every fight sequence or gunfight he was involved in felt authentic and intense. The long awaited Neo and Morpheus reunion was truly satisfying as Laurence Fishburne was perfectly integrated into this world. He was fantastic as expected. I didn’t recognize Riccardo Scamarcio (Burnt), but he did very well with an integral role in the film. Ruby Rose (Orange is the New Black) seems to be everywhere as I just watched her in the new Resident Evil. She played a very effective and surprisingly intense villain. Common had some of the more incredible scenes with Reeves, and it was clear he worked his ass off for the film as well. Veteran actor Ian McShane was amazing and such a strong presence on screen, this guy is good in everything really.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is precisely what fans of the first film were hoping for, which is more of the same as well as an extra helping of everything we didn't even realize we wanted. The entertainment value is astounding and somehow the action never slows down, not even for a moment. The more I recall each and every breathtaking scene the more excited I am to see this again. I fully expect John Wick: Chapter 2 to thrive in the box office, even considering the stiff competition, and if it does, a sequel will surely be in the works. I can't wait! Oh and one more thing, John Wick is DEFINITELY back!! Highly recommended.
