The fourth John Wick film is the longest installment in the franchise.
The John Wick franchise was something I never saw coming. I was first introduced to the Keanu Reeves-led film when Chapter 2 was released. After being blown away, I immediately went to watch the first one. After indulging the two films, I understood what the hype was all bout. Then, when Chapter 3 came out in 2019, I was again highly entertained and impressed. Could the last installment be topped? Finally, Chapter 4 is around the corner, which elevates the franchise to new heights with a 2-hour and 49-minute epic. I caught the IMAX screening in Los Angeles thanks to the great folks at Lionsgate, who flew me out and scheduled my interview with Lance Reddick, who has had a sensational career.
Synopsis
John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
John Wick: Chapter 4 is a must-watch in IMAX! The body count is more than the previous three installments combined. It is a genre-bending action epic that is Heart Pounding and Thrilling. Keanu Reeves, as John Wick, does not hold back and is a force to be reckoned with. This film takes you around the world and delivers the most amazing fights ever to be seen on the big screen. The John Wick Universe keeps expanding as the film takes audiences to new locations and introduces awesome new characters you want to see more of.
The cast has grown immensely since the first film.
This sequel brings back old friends and introduces new ones along with new foes. Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Rina Sawayama, and Shamier Anderson are the latest additions. They all provide great scenes opposite Reeve’s Wick. Yen’s character is the one to keep your eye on. He steals many scenes and offers a Bruce Lee-esque performance and will become a fan favorite.
You can see the classic films that influenced this movie, From Bullet to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, to even Lawrence of Arabia. This franchise has become a love letter to the macho action franchises that were at the height of popularity in the 80s and 90s. You can see why Keanu Reeves continues to make these movies. They are simply fun and push the limits of action. There are radical and insane fights and stunts that are inconceivable. But, the creativity and execution are extremely imaginative in Chapter 4. This is just the beginning of a shared John Wick Universe, and it is exciting to see where else it will take us.
Verdict
I give the fourth John Wick installment 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is the most bonkers and savage entry in the franchise, with an extremely high body count that is difficult to keep up with. The Wick-verse is not going anywhere and is already expanding with a Continental prequel series and Ana de Arkmas spin-off Ballerina. Catch Chapter 4 in theaters beginning March 24th, 2023.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis. He is a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.