John Wick makes a triumphant return to cinema screens in a sequel that is damn near as good as the original. Picking up more or less where the first one left off, this film does a wonderful job expanding the unique world of John Wick and the society of Assassins that he once belonged to.
John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves) finds himself in another terrible predicament. After the events of the first film, Wick is paid a visit by an old associate, Santino D'Antonio (played by Riccardo Scamarcio), to whom Wick owes a blood oath. In the society of assassins, a blood oath is unbreakable and when the other person calls in the favor bound within, it must be fulfilled. Since his rampage in the first film, Wick can no longer claim to be retired and must fulfill the promise made. D'Antonio explains he wants his sister assassinated so he can claim her seat on the High Table, a council of high level crime lords. Seeing no way out, he reluctantly takes up the task as he once again enters the life and world he tried to leave behind.
There is a certain comic book sensibility to these two films that I just love. Everything about them is just a little larger than life as it creates and inhabits this unique world all it's own. But there is still an emotional resonance to this film that carries over from the first film. I found myself really caring about John Wick, who karma seems to perpetually have in their crosshairs. Director Chad Stahelski and writer Derek Kolstad return for the sequel do a fantastic job expanding on the original film as it explores new areas of the world the film takes place in, both in New York and Rome, Italy. They come up with some inventive new action sequences for the film to, from the opening scene where John Wick retrieves his stolen car from the previous film to quite possibly the longest all out fist fight since Roddy Piper and Keith David in They Live as Wick gets into a knock-down, drag out fight with his target's bodyguard, played by Common. Again, they thankfully discard the shaky cam style for long, fluid cuts that really showcase the action and make the action scenes that much more exhilarating to watch. Other contemporary action filmmakers could learn a thing or two from these films. There is also a certain unpredictability to this movie that I love. Derek Kolstad does a great job of twisting what the audience might be expecting and then subverting it. Also, kudos for paying off the pencil bit from the first film so wonderfully in this one.
Keanu Reeves once again does a great job as the broken, conflicted John Wick. He's a character we can really sympathize with as he once again finds himself pulled back into a world he tried to leave behind. But yet, Reeves also gets the larger than life nature of the films and does manage to play the humor of some the scenes as well and that balance is what makes these films so great for me. He is joined by some great co-stars including Ian McShane as well as reuniting with former Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne.
John Wick: Chapter 2 continues the saga and is every bit as good as the first film. Filled with exciting action sequences and an entertaining story that kept me guessing throughout. The film sets itself up for a Chapter 3 and I say by all means bring it on. I, for one, can't wait.
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