By Andrew Jenck
Little new discourse can be added regarding the impact of the John Wick film series. Being one of the few genuinely great action series alongside Mission: Impossible, the Keanu Reeves vehicles exemplify the benefits of the lead actor having the ability to perform the stunts in addition to the spectacle also acting as methods to flesh out the characters. Everyone going in would expect the same quality, yet the latest entry feels fresh enough to feel like a first installment. John Wick: Chapter 4 exceeds the standards set by its own series, crafting a breezy yet meaningful adventure through tight writing and character-enhancing set pieces.
Too often, modern movies will pause to have character moments between action scenes, while Wick has character moments and action intertwined. Short moments between the fighting are present, but they’re quick and straightforward. Momentum is continuous, as the assassins’ strategies and mannerisms give the audience everything they need to know about the characters.
Seeing the actor’s face is another ace that other films lack. CGI-reliant blockbusters can fall into the trap of replacing the actor with a CGI double, obscuring the face, and watching them fight from a distance; often a necessary measure but not well utilized. Reeves’ emoting is on full display, even as he acts OP, one can see the anguish and endurance posed by Mr. Wick, having him feel like an underdog worth rooting for.
Prior to the set pieces, the locations will be shows, giving the audience a sense of geography, so when the action begins, the viewer has familiarity when the assassins interact with the environment. Running at three hours, the film has good pacing, with bits of scenes that could’ve been trimmed, but such errors are hard to spot when editing. Action never grows gratuitous helped by the cinematography. Camera angles come in a variety, highlighting the stunts in extended takes and all-encompassing framing.
Everything stated has been present in the franchise, but Chapter 4 set itself apart through the sheer adrenaline. Even scenes without action possess efficiency in relaying information to the audience without overreliance on exposition. Opening shots of the set establish the tone, and in turn, enforce the personality characters, particularly the main villain. Should the spectacle or intimacy lag on, the picture would fall into the trap of so many others: moments of character interactions explaining their arcs followed by a set piece lacking real growth. The filmmakers maintain that equilibrium giving a very efficient film that neither left its audience nor exhausts them.
John Wick exceeded expectations of modern blockbusters years ago, but its latest installment surpasses even its own legacy, as a visceral, smartly crafted film with action fueling character arcs. Varied in stunt work and locations yet with consistent quality, the filmmaking on display is a sheer joy to watch, likely to be among the best this year. Many films entertain the audience, but few can grip them in such a way, by practical stunt work shot in an all-encompassing way. Fitting that Mr. Wick being the extraordinary assassin, would have a film the same level.
