Before the first ‘John Wick’ came out, the buzz was that it was a generic B-action film that marked how far Keanu Reeves had fallen from his prime years as a movie star. It turned out to be everything the critics expected, but one thing the critics didn’t expect was that it was so well done for its’ genre and delivered such unapologetic non-stop visceral action, that it became the sleeper hit of the season. At its’ core, it was the simplest and most basic shoot-em-up revenge film one could imagine, but the talented choreography and a grey and somber filming palette was mesmerizing to behold. Of course, with such success, the studios demand a sequel and instead of running from its’ B-movie origins, ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ raises the stakes even higher by fiercely embracing it.
Once again, John Wick (Keanu Reeves)is trying to find a way to stay in retirement from his assassin past. Unfortunately, in the shadowy underworld of assassins, there are rules and obligations that must be honored. When the mysterious Santino shows up one day and lays down a blood marker to John Wick which basically is calling in a past debt where the possessor can demand any favor he requires from the recipient, John Wick tries to say ‘No’, but the consequences in the society of assassins for not honoring a blood marker is catastrophic. After realizing that he cannot escape his ‘obligations’, John Wick comes out of retirement with the intent of this being his last foray into the secret underworld.
The plot points of the movie in both the original and the sequel are not as interesting as the secret underworld that Director Chad Stahelski creates and explores. It’s a secret world right under our noses that seems eerily familiar, yet gothic and cultish at the same time. A world where assassins can escape their violent world for momentary respite in ‘hallowed’ spaces. They are obliged to obey rigid laws of civility with dire repercussions should they violate even the smallest norm or charter. Presiding over this assassin’s member’s only club is Winston (Ian McShane), a king like hotelier who runs his Barony with civility and culture, with the underlying sense of dread should he be crossed. In a world of short life spans, Winston has a long history with John Wick. Even though we feel that Winston is secretly on John’s side, we know that his first priority is neutrality and maintaining the sanctity of the underworld society he has helped create.
Much of the charm of the movie is seeing how this movie adepts what would normally be the rules and regulations of a Mason’s Society to this violent underworld of killers, but let’s face it, people are coming to see the non-stop mayhem and John Wick delivers. I thought it couldn’t get more violent than the first but I was wrong. The violence is video game style violence that makes one wince, but never crosses the threshold of believability. Keanu is still believable as an action hero and his box office reputation remains intact. If you go expecting no more than just a well choreographed action film, then you will have a great time. Don’t try to seek out more than that.
I give this film ** 1/2 stars
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