Genre: Action
Directed: Chad Stahelski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo
Scamarcio, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick,
Laurence Fishburne, Tobias Segal, John Leguizamo, Bridget Moynahan
Production: Lionsgate
Okay, I'm going to need someone to
sit down and explain this one to me. Please use words, graphs, colored charts
and anything else at your disposal because I really am a little blindsided by
the success of this series. I mean, we are all aware John Wick (2014)
and this new sequel are, by and large okay action movies, right? They’re the
kind of action movies that, more or less, gives genre fans what they expect and
is sort of stingy about the rest. This movie is good but is it Die Hard (1988) good? Is it Enter the Dragon (1973) good, is it 91%
on Rotten Tomatoes good?
F***ing Rotten Tomatoes! |
I would argue no. The John Wick series is arguably no better
than early nineties Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicles no matter how many architectural
wonders they foist behind Keanu Reeves. The only real difference here is
director Chad Stahelski brings a scintilla of visual flare to the party while
the plot lugs around suitcases full of world-building ornamentation. If John
Wick had one thing going for it, it’s that came absolutely out of nowhere. John Wick 2: It Gets Wickier, doesn’t
have that benefit.
Boo! |
And what exactly is John Wick
(Reeves) avenging this time? Well, everyone has moved past the dog; especially and
including criminal big-wig Santino D’Antonio (Scamarcio). Since the assassin
has signaled he’s no longer retired, D’Antonio calls upon Wick to make good on
a blood oath that is enforced by the same nefarious international crime syndicate that also happens to operate the
luxury hotel chain from the first flick. Wick is, of course double-crossed, things
escalate and the entire criminal underground, only hinted at in the first film
are suddenly all out hunting for him.
He's like Ahnold only without the quippy lines. |
Much like the first film, John Wick 2 is visually impressive and
includes some pretty arduous fight sequences, at least from the perspective of
the stuntmen. Yet the movie lacks any tension and fails to establish any real
stakes. Wick, hereto described as the biggest swinging d**k in all of
murderdom, has an incredible reputation as an unstoppable boogeyman. So much so
that point blank shots to the gut, stabs to the leg and tumbles out of his car
barely faze him. Keanu Reeves is not just portraying a character with uncommon
physical abilities; he’s basically playing a superhero.
He’s a superhero that’s up against
regular, Joe-Shmoe villains, who are put down with a simple double tap to the
head. With the exception of Common’s loyal guardian and Ruby Rose’s deaf
henchman, there really doesn’t seem to be a whole lot standing in Wick’s way. Unless
of course you include the inner workings of The Continental whose two rules
(honor the blood oath and no killing on company grounds) aren’t exactly an advantage.
Ian McShane’s posh hotel manager Winston returns to give the audience enough
insight into The Continental’s inner workings; a function that often feels more
like a pacing siphon.
I'm here to look good and to give the editors someone to cut to. |
As said before, the fight sequences are
quite impressive and Stahelski does an exquisite job showcasing their
physicality. Additionally, Keanu Reeves as a close quarter’s brawler does find
a handful of moments that force onlookers to erupt in coliseum level cheer. Yet
the film lacks any real action set pieces that aren’t callbacks to other,
better action films, or a remix of the same ingredients used in the first
movie. In John Wick, the obvious low
budget was enough to overlook the lack of a big blowout finale but here it’s
obvious they purposely eschewed such a choice. The results are a repetitive sequence
of fight, rest, fight, rest, exposition, fight, rest.
I am great! So says...ME!! |
At a pivotal point, our cocksure villain
stands triumphant amid a room full of Grecian statues. This in a nut shell is
the kind of almighty status John Wick 2:
No Rest for the Wicked is looking to attain. It’s knocking on the door of
greatness and is asking to join the pantheon of truly awesome high-octane
action movies. Some people are inclined to open the gates on this one but I say
we should all just turn out the lights and pretend no one is home.
Final Grade: C-
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