John Wick: Chapter 4
Of course, a great cast helps too. Reeves might have fewer lines in this movie than any so far in the franchise, but he completely sells Wick's commitment while also imbuing him with emotional exhaustion that adds more gravity to this chapter. The vengeful Wick of the first film is a different one than the survivor three movies later, and Reeves knows exactly what this character needs. So many performers would add unnecessary touches to a character that's already this popular, but Reeves is smart about streamlining this performance to fit the film around him. It also allows for a few supporters to shine in different performance registers, especially Yen and Anderson. The legendary Yen is fantastic here, not just in combat but the moments in between. Most people who know who Donnie Yen is won't be surprised to hear that he fits in here perfectly, but he's even better than you expect. Anderson also gives a fun performance as a man who just seems to be a mercenary waiting for the right price, but fans of the series will note from the beginning that this badass has a dog, and this universe values puppies and people who love them.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Followers of the John Wick movies will recall how resistant the assassin has proven to be. Throughout the first three chapters, he's been beaten, shot, stabbed, hit by cars, thrown off a roof and much more. Wick's superhuman persistence is one of his most endearing traits, and like the Road Runner, he always bounces back from the gravest injuries. The finale of John Wick: Chapter 4 puts John through a grueling series of trials, where he fights off waves of assassins in Paris in order to make his appointed duel with the Marquis. Chapter 4 offers a more definitive ending to his story than some viewers might expect though.
Probably the weakest story in the series yet, one that barely feels like it escalates the overall stakes of the series compared to what 2 and 3 did. This wouldn't be a major complaint had this movie been clocked in at around 120 minutes, but unfortunately this chapter comes across as frustratingly bloated, leaving me tapping my foot waiting for the next action sequence to kick in. 041b061a72
