John Wick: Chapter 2

UK Release Date: 17 February 2017

Certification: 15

Director: Chad Stahelski

Cast: Common, Laurence Fishburne, Claudia Gerini, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Keanu Reeves, Ruby Rose, Riccardo Scamarcio

Rating: 73%

'Never stab the Devil in the back'.

Review:

Keanu Reeves is brilliant as the title character. John Wick was largely responsible for the 'Keanussance' and his revival, he does the majority of the stunts himself whilst in his mid fifties which is testament to the type of actor Reeves is. He's suave and brutal but can also give an emotional, depth performance at times. And in all honesty he's just really cool. On the other hand, I didn't like Riccardo Scamarcio at all as the main villain. He didn't feel imposing, menacing or much of a threat at all and he was a bit annoying. Laurence Fishburne also didn't work for me - he didn't do anything wrong - but seeing him in the same movie as Keanu Reeves isn't a John Wick movie it's The Matrix and I couldn't escape that. Lance Reddick and John Leguizamo provide a nice comedic outlet in another wise serious movie and I would love to see more of them in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. 

The action is once again superb, it's faultless. For the past two outings they've spoken of the legend of killing three men with a pencil and we finally get to see it in an awesome action scene that seemed endless at the time. The action choreography was excellent the attention to detail is always on point with the correct amount of rounds used. The cinematography is beautiful during action scenes and although, the silence pistol shoot off is quite silly and unrealistic, it was still thoroughly entertaining throughout. 

Chad Stahelski does a great job at building up and expanding the lore of the world. The underground criminal organisation and how they operate is explored more. And the Continental is expanded to Italy which sets up its own spin off TV show and there are real consequences for breaking the rules that are put in place. 

I did enjoy John Wick: Chapter 2 but there's just something missing that doesn't make it nearly as good as John Wick. I think it was that I wasn't as invested as I was in the original. The reason to come out of retirement wasn't as good as John Wick, the villain wasn't as good and there was less of characters I liked in the first one. John's motivation and driving force was what made John Wick great and this sequel simply didn't have it. Plus you're never going to be able to replicate a performance from Willem Dafoe. 

John Wick: Chapter 2 was a solid, if not terrific follow up, but I like how it ended and I can't wait to see John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum and the rest of the John Wick movies still to come.