JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Brings A Whole New Meaning To The Word Action!

This weekend audiences around the World were treated to the return of Mr Wick in the fourth continuation of the John Wick saga. The brain child from actioners Chad Stahelski and David Leitch of 87 Eleven Action design and based on the character created by Derek Kolstad, a character that we have all come to love and root for while he goes on his violent revenge rampage against the organisation only known as “The Table”. The hype surrounding this film escalated after release on character posters and one in particular sparked much interest and debate as we got to see action star Scott Adkins in a very different way compared to his typical Boyka style characters, playing “Killa Harken” who has a much larger frame than Adkins usual characters. Alongside main man Keanu reprising their roles were of course Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and the late Lance Riddick with new additions Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada, Bill Skarsgård, Shamier Anderson and Marko Zaror.

Photos Courtesy of Lionsgate UK

John Wick 4 had already smashed the box office over the weekend becoming the No.1 film in the World grossing $137.8 million so to say my expectations were high was an understatement. However, did John Wick 4 live up to the hype? yes it did, did John Wick 4 deliver on the action, it most certainly did and did it exceed it’s predecessors I am not 100% sure but it was a hell of a ride!

Poster Courtesy Of Lionsgate UK

The opening sequence grips you with the deep and powerful voice of Laurence Fishburne as “Bowery King” loudly performing a monologue that sends chills up your spine. We finally greet a tired and determined John Wick conditioning his knuckles for battle. Suited and booted we are transported to the desert where we find John in mid chase on horseback shooting at his enemies. Finally faced by “The Elder” he begs for the return of his finger (lost in the previous film) after being told it is gone and there is no way out except for his death John assassinates “The Elder” with no hesitation which rattles the core of “The Table” and they seek avengement through a power crazed “Marquis” played by Bill Skarsgård.

After the onslaught and events of John Wick 3, Trusted companions Winston and Charon, manager and concierge of the New York “The Continental” have received a visit stating that they no long require their services, the hotel is to be demolished and both to become ex communicado. They are summoned to meet the “Marquis” to find out their fate. Sadly only one comes out of that meeting with their lives.

Joining the fight against John Wick is Donnie Yen’s blind character “Caine” despite being a friend to John the “Marquis” backs him in the corner and threatens the safety of his daughter if he doesn’t comply.

Surprisingly we have not been treated to any large action sequence or fight scene as of yet. However that is all about to change. John has found refuge in the Osaka Continental protected by friend and manager “Shimazu”. News of his whereabouts reaches “The Marquis” and all hell breaks loose. Armed with guns and samurai swords “Shimazu” and his army defend the hotel the best they can however reinforcements arrive and Mr Wick jumps into action alongside “Shimazu” daughter “Akira” played by Rina Sawayama. In typical John Wick fashion there is a marvellous display of Gun Fu with some additional weapons to hand including Bow and arrows but more spectacularly a pair of Nunchakus. In a stunning set piece of a room filled with stained glass windows and cabinets, this somewhat screams the end sequence to “Enter The Dragon”. Mr Wick is a dab hand with the nunchakus showing control with intricate techniques taking his assailants down one by one with multiple brute force hits smashing everything in sight in the process. Donnie Yen’s “Caine” has sprung into action also by taking down enemies with ease with fast and agile attacks. It seems Donnie has put a lot of thought into the movement and the fighting style of “Caine” and it is a joy to watch unfold on the big screen. In the mix of all this we are introduced to Shamier Anderson’s “Tracker” AKA Mr Nobody, we don’t quite yet know whether he is a friend or foe of John’s and what his true intentions are.

Film Stills Courtesy Of Lionsgate UK

John makes it out alive from the Osaka Continental however with vast bloodshed and fatalities on both sides. Friend Winston requests a meeting with John to discuss where is he taking this feud and when it will end. It seems he just wants to kill everyone. However this game plan will never work as they will just be replaced. Winston offers a different outcome which becomes Plan A, a challenge dual between him and the “Marquis” however for this to be honoured John must have family and a member of “The Table” to back his challenge.

A trip back to his old Belarusian family “Roska Roma” to beg for forgiveness and reinstatement to the family. Unfortunately since his departure Father Piotr has been killed in retaliation for the death of the “The Elder” by John’s hand. A deal is struck and before John is welcomed back into the fold he must return the favour and kill the man responsible for the death of Piotr.

Film Still Courtesy Of Lionsgate UK

What comes next it most probably one of my most favourite sequences in the entire film. We meet Adkins asthmatic “Killa” armed with his trusted inhaler at a card table joining them are “Caine” and “Tracker”, all four parties agree to a game of five card draw with the winner choosing everyone’s fate. Obviously the cards are stacked in “Killa’s” favour with the win already in the bag for him. John leaps forward striking “Killa” to the neck which leads to a chase on foot through the typical acid filled colourful night club rave scene. A gun shot in the leg followed by an axe doesn’t stop him throwing John down a high water fountain and, to my surprise, recovers quickly and returns the favour this time a neck breaking demise on the steps for Scott Adkins’s “Killa” who leaves the film with a grin like no other on his face.

Film Stills Courtesy Of Lionsgate UK

The deed has been done and the dual has been set. All John has to do now is survive the night and make it to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris by sunrise, easier said than done when the bounty on his head has been increased to $40 million. What unfolds can be described as one of the longest action sequences with many locations intertwined by a wonderful radio presenter’s voice and soundtrack that is comes straight out of “The Warriors”. Bodies go flying at the Arc De Triomphe hitting cars at incredible speed. John multiple times hiding behind his suit jacket which is meant to be lined with Kevlar and be bulletproof, not sure how realistic this is with bullets to be seen bouncing of the fabric? A sublime top shot tracking a gun shoot out in an abandoned building resulting in a very high window fall hitting a car parked below which leaves everyone in the cinema gasping, questioning how does John stand back up after that, how hasn’t he broken his back? We do not know.

Nearly sunrise and John can see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the distance. Only a 222 concrete steps left in his way, let’s hope he is wearing his stepometer. With every step he takes he is faced with an assassin out for his blood and the big pay day. Reaching the final steps he encounters Marko Zaror’s “Chidi” top henchman to the “Maquis” kicking John straight back down the full flight of stairs. Hats off to the stunt performer / performers who did this stair fall I am sure numerous times, as my body was hurting just watching it. Meeting him at the bottom is “Caine” who picks John back up, dusts him off and joins him on the long walk back up. The action is fast and explosive, “Tracker” makes a return with his trusted K9 to aid John by returning a favour for an earlier show of affection towards his dog. Ending this sequence with a wonderful comical moment that breaths a sigh of fun and relief to what we have just witnessed.

Film Still Courtesy Of Lionsgate UK

A western style shootout is now to unfold with only two outcomes John and Winston’s lives or The Maquis. With some clever shooting tactics brings the battle to a close, the outcome I will leave for you to enjoy. The final sequence neatly ties up all the events from the previous four films ending a saga which has delivered on so many levels. If you have the patience to wait until the end of the credits, there is a post credit sequence that is slightly underwhelming but may lead us to future spin offs in the John Wick universe.

Poster Courtesy Of Lionsgate UK

When leaving the cinema I felt very satisfied with John Wick 4. It offered something new that we haven’t seen before in the previous outings. Some flamboyant characters and insane adrenaline fuelled action sequences which were breath taking. My only small critique is that at times the gun shoot outs felt repetitive and Keanu literally had a couple pages of lines, he certainly did more talking with his fists and guns this time round.

I give this one a 4 guns out of 5 it didn’t surpass the first John Wick but equalled the epic third outing for me.

/5

On another personal note, since the huge success of the film executives are calling for a 5th instalment. Now I hope Chad and Keanu stick to their guns on this one and continue on their previous plan. Obviously the executives want a continuation as it’s a money maker however they have finished John Wick 4 perfectly. Let’s look forward to the spin offs coming “The Continental” and “Bellerina” which I am excited about, instead of becoming a milked saga like “Fast and Furious”.