John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

Whether it's the type of gun or the Latin word meaning "prepare for war" you're thinking of, Parabellum makes for the perfect title for the third chapter of the John Wick series, an action flick which unfortunately has too much action for its own good and becomes tiresome before even hitting the first hour mark. 

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Genres

Action, Crime, Thriller

Director

Chad Stahelski

Country

USA

Cast

Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Common, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, John Leguizamo, Ian McShane, Bridget Moynahan, Lance Reddick, Thomas Sadoski, David Patrick Kelly, Peter Stormare, Franco Nero, Peter Serafinowicz, Claudia Gerini, Tobias Segal

Storyline

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns to the criminal underworld to repay a debt only to get a large bounty put on his life.

Opinion

I watched John Wick a couple of months ago only because I was excited about John Wick: Chapter 2. Everyone was saying how great it was, and I just wanted to join the party. I did, a bit late, but I did. And it was the best party I've ever had.

I have to admit I was a bit sceptical about this one. Sure, the first film worked wonderfully with a paper-thin, revenge plot. But that could have been the beginner's luck, you know. But it wasn't. Chad Stahelski yet again brings to the screen a simple story - actually, I'm not even sure the film does have a real plot - that doesn't feature smart plot twists but that, on the other hand, has many holes, but it's tremendously engaging.

And the characters are improved. Kinda. While most of them still are one-dimensional, John Wick is more defined and his struggle between living by his code and wanting to leave this life once and for all is well delivered. Also, there's something about him that makes him feel more believable, more human. Maybe it's the fact Keanu Reeves did most of the action sequences himself.

Which brings me to the next point, the goddamn good action. More non-stop and thrilling than ever, spectacularly choreographed and wonderfully paced, John Wick: Chapter 2 has that kind of action that deserves to be called so.

Sure, this is not a masterpiece, but it does exactly what an action flick sequel is supposed to do, it exceeds its predecessor and it's fun as hell.

John Wick (2014)

Genres

Action, Crime, Thriller

Directors

Chad Stahelski, David Leitch

Country

USA

Cast

Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Willem Dafoe, Toby Leonard Moore, Bridget Regan

Storyline

After the dog his late wife left him is killed by the son (Alfie Allen) of his former Russian mobster boss (Michael Nyqvist), former hit man John Wick (Keanu Reeves) resumes his job, only this time the target is the Russian mob.

Opinion

Given the huge success of John Wick: Chapter 2, I decided to watch John Wick, the movie that started it all. I have to say that I didn't have a lot of expectations, I knew I was going to sit through a shallow action flick, and that's basically what happened, but it was a hell of an entertaining action thriller.

The plot is simple and straightforward and can be summed up with one word, a movie title actually, Taken. Just switch the daughter with a dog, and there you have it. It isn't original - there isn't any beautiful girlfriend around though -, and you'll have that terrible I've-seen-this-before feeling for most of its running time.

To that add some paper thin, one-dimensional characters which are a parallel universe to character development. There aren't needless characters with needless dramas - which is actually a good thing. Most important though, John Wick, the main character, hardly has a backstory and we are supposed to care for him. But you know what? I did care for him. And I guess I should thank Keanu Reeves for that. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't give a great performance or anything like that, he still isn't a good actor, but he brings so much (of his) charisma to the screen that you'll eventually care and root for his character. And this John Wick guy is such a badass. 

Other than Reeves's charms, John Wick benefits from a great direction. Once again, I'm not talking about award-quality direction, but Stahelski and Leitch managed to keep the film very well and fast paced from start to finish; it is incredibly fluid.

The film is also beautifully shot, but most important, it is filled with fun, engaging and stylish action sequences that are wonderfully choreographed, and, as far fetched as they are, they are delivered in such a manner that they are actually believable. And what could one possibly want from an action flick other than this? I sure don't know.