John Wick was one of my favourite films of 2014, and a real sleeper hit. It worked so well because it wasn't just an action movie, it was an action movie with character. The plot was unique and simplistic, it had a unique and well-thought-out world, and the action scenes themselves were very impressive. My love for Keanu Reeves only fuelled my enjoyment of the film more, and I was absolutely ecstatic for what future installments in the series would bring. John Wick: Chapter 2 is the perfect sequel in many ways; it takes the action to a whole new level, and essentially makes everything great about the first film even better.
The plot is - without too much effort - more complex than the first film, but that expanded nature serves Chapter 2 very well. I found myself impressed with this film's execution in every way, and I'm now more sure than ever that the John Wick films are setting a new standard for action. Wick's world is what always fascinated me the most about the first film, and Chapter 2 does a lot to make that world more comprehensive, while adding new layers to the secret lives and operations of the hitmen in this universe. We don't only see new functions of the world, but also how familiar elements operate internationally. Still, not everything has been answered, and the real powers behind everything remain in the shadows.
Wick himself still feels like just as much of a legendary figure as he did in the first film, and the face-offs he has with other hitmen only reinforce his reputation. Keanu Reeves, who is a (this is a generous term) understated actor, really makes this character work through his "blank slate" style of acting. Reeves also clearly has a lot of dedication to his training, and manages to convincingly portray Wick's slick, unique fighting style. Wick seems at times to be a nigh invincible character, but he goes through quite a lot of punishment over the course of the film, which grounds his character in some (very loose) sense of reality.
What I really respect about the film is how it's crafted. It's a very controlled film, and even though so many new elements are introduced to the world of, not every question has been answered. There's still an air of mystery about the underground hitman world, and the real powers behind everything remain in the shadows. As for the film itself, the environments of the various action scenes were incredibly engaging. The characters that populate that underground world are very distinct and compelling, and there's a palpable sense of history between characters with only minimal interaction. The villain, Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) was very different from the last film, and was fuelled entirely by ego rather than any sense of duty. This movie even manages to use Ruby Rose effectively, so that's something.
The budget was clearly increased quite a bit for this film, and none of it appears to be wasted on-screen. The choreography and cinematography work in perfect tandem to deliver breathtaking fight sequences, with hand-to-hand combat and gunplay used in some creative, innovative, and sometimes hilarious ways. Each different action sequence manages to create a different atmosphere through music and lighting, and Wick moves fluidly between them without a single moment lost in editing. The sound design is superb, and makes those sequences feel all the more impactful. Every shot fired and every punch thrown feel powerful, and the opening sequence in particular made the sounds of vehicles feel enormous. The film has a very distinct look and feel, and those elements of the film only seem to increase in quality as it goes on.
More than anything else, this film gives off an atmosphere of fun. There's something so entertaining about seeing Wick shoot his way through dozens of men without a scratch. The elaborate sequences and unique locations enhance that, but the core of what makes the film work lies firmly with Wick himself. Everyone is clearly having a great time, especially Laurence Fishburne, who plays a character that I can only assume is based entirely on Laurence Fishburne. Although I couldn't really get onboard with Wick's emotional turmoil because so much of the film is so amazingly ridiculous, I did feel for Wick throughout the film. It's very easy to root for him, even without the catalyst of a dead dog this time around. Although, with the ridiculous underground hitmen world, morality and reality can be reasonably bent.
Unfortunately, the film isn't quite perfect, although it works so well on every level. The only real issue I have is with one scene, a montage that shows Wick fighting through various other hitmen, and the way it was edited made continuity a bit unclear. But that works for the scene, and keeps things consistent in a different way. The opening is also a bit weak, and relies on references to the first film to a degree that I found to be unnecessary. But those aren't exactly detriments to the film, and are more nitpicks than anything. They didn't detract from my enjoyment of the film in any way, because the scenes still worked, just not as well as others. Overall, the good far outweighs the bad with this film.
I really appreciate that this film does everything a sequel should do. It could have very easily moved in a completely new direction, but it feels like a natural progression. It stayed in line with the first film, expanded the world in a natural way, but it all felt familiar without being redundant. It's a strangely contained story as well; you get a recap of the first film in the first few minutes, and you understand everything you really need to about Wick and his motivations. If you hadn't seen John Wick and you saw this film, you wouldn't be too lost. The ending is a very compelling cliffhanger, but not one that demands a sequel immediately. I do want some time between this film and the next one, because the possibilities of where Chapter 3 can go are pretty much endless. The resolution to the overall story is not obvious at this point, but I'm excited to see what happens.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is even better than I expected it to be, and I expected quite a bit. Much like how John Wick is a man of focus, and the film reflects that focus in its storytelling and its action. It's without a doubt equal in quality to the first, and I would argue that it's even better. It feels like we're watching the full potential of this franchise on full display, and what really remains to be seen is what can be done next with Wick and his world. As long as they keep having fun and delivering the same level of incredible action sequences, then the third chapter should be just as enjoyable, if not more so. There's a clear vision for the overall story of these films, and such a strong directorial vision of the films themselves makes it all the more fun to experience. It's an adventure like no other, and it proves that the supposed "lighting in a bottle" of the first film can be recaptured.
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