Back in 1999, Keanu Reeves established himself as more than just a comedic actor, he proved he could headline an action film franchise in The Matrix. Years later, he would collaborate with his stunt double from The Matrix to create what would eventually become one of the biggest action franchises ever, John Wick.
Nearly a decade later, the film has surpassed its humble beginnings of being a low-budget independent action thriller and has cemented itself as a multimillion dollars franchise. Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves kick into high drive with the fourth installment, and the result is the greatest action film of our time.
A fully recovered John Wick (Keanu Reeves) sets out to hunt down the High Table with the help of The Bowery King (Lawrence Fishburne). His actions introduce The Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), a French High Table member with unlimited resources to find and kill John Wick. The Marquis employs the services of assassins, Caine (Donnie Yen), a blind assassin who’s one of Wick’s old friends, and Tracker, Mr Nobody (Shamier Anderson), a cunning and more tactile assassin with a loyally fierce hunting dog at his side.
Overpowered and out of options, John Wick seeks out the help of an old friend, Winston (Ian McShane) who forms a plan that can truly get John Wick out and restore his peace, which he (Ian) will also benefit from. He invokes an old High Table tradition and challenges the Marquis to a duel. This leads to a final showdown where John Wick must put his whole life on the line to decide his fate.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is the biggest this franchise has ever been and it feels like the film they’ve been trying to make from the beginning. With a runtime of 169 minutes – the longest in the franchise – this film has the time to fully explore the world in a way that has never been done before. A whole lot of new locations are explored and enriched with interesting characters that never allow the film to become boring.
The film introduces a variety of new characters including The Harbinger (Clancy Brown), Killa (Scott Adkins), the head of the German Table, Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada), the manager of the Osaka Continental, Akira (Rina Sawayama), his daughter and concierge, and Katia (Natalia Tena), the leader of the Ruska Roma crime syndicate. Including the already mentioned Caine, Marquis, and Mr. Nobody, it’s no secret this film is littered with many new faces. The beautiful part is how none of them feel new, they are integrated into the world flawlessly and give off the vibe of established characters.
Writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch create a story that brilliantly spans the globe and further builds the already intoxicating world of John Wick. The film goes from New York to the Sahara Desert to Japan to Berlin to Paris and back to New York. A film spread that wide should feel overwhelming but the writers deliver an adventure that leaves you with a craving for more.
The stunt team creates high-octane action sequences that catapult this franchise into a never seen standard. The action scenes are the best I’ve ever witnessed with each one daring for the impossible. It is worth mentioning that every character has unique fighting methods that speak to their personality and experiences. Again, the team created an experience that is impossible to explain, one that must be witnessed on the biggest screen available.
The cast further elevates this film to an impossible standard. This is a brilliant ensemble, one where it is hard to pick the best performance as every single one brings something special to the franchise. Keanu Reeves also delivers what might be considered one of the best performances of his career as an action movie star.
Cinematographer Dan Lausten is yet another brilliant member of this film’s crew. He delivers cinematography that not only celebrates the vibrant colors of the film but also bolsters the action choreography most creatively. The cinematography also elevates the locations of this film, whether it is an abandoned building or a waterfall club. The riveting score from Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard helps make the scenes and moments even more captivating.
Director Chad Stahelski has created something that will redefine the meaning of an action film. This is a film that will stand the test of time and will remain relevant for decades to come. John Wick Chapter 4 is not only the best film in this franchise, but also the best action film of this generation. While the film paid little to no attention to John Wick’s emotional journey, it is a flaw that can be ignored considering how brilliant every other part is.