John Wick Chapter 4 Review
John Wick's main star Keanu Reeves.
Craig Duffy, Flicker.
The world of John Wick is one of bulletproof suits, neon lights, deafening gunfire and an expanding society of assassins – and it has risen to become one of the most popular action series out there. Renowned for its truly impressive action sequences and world-building, the various entries have slowly grown Keanu Reeves’ titular character into an iconic action figure. In John Wick Chapter 4, director Chad Stahelski has brought some of the best action sequences of the franchise and has provided another masterclass of action cinema. John Wick Chapter 4 is yet another great example, as are chapters two and three of this series, of how to do a film sequel that continues its technically impressive action but is continually innovative.
Chapter 4 follows Wick setting out for vengeance against the powerful High Table as he tries to gain his freedom. The John Wick series hasn’t been known for its complex plots as the first film's domino effect of the death of Wick’s wife, Helen, the killing of his pet dog, Daisy and the stealing of his beloved 1969 Ford Mustang essentially propels all the future films.
This film provides one change to the flow of the series so far, being the first film in the series not taking place directly after the end of the previous one, as this film takes place months after Chapter 3. Furthermore, Chapter 4 is the longest and most expensive film in the series yet, spanning from Osaka to Berlin to Paris. However, Stahelski uses the film’s longer runtime and much larger budget (of 100 million dollars) to craft undoubtedly one of the best action movies released within the last decade. What makes John Wick: Chapter 4 truly an achievement in action cinema is its flawless fight choreography combined with insane stunt work, beautiful cinematography and precise editing. Moreover, the action is always unique. The stakes are racked up even more and combat sequences increase the tension throughout each scene. As the action is the centerfold of the film, everything surrounding the action sequences is elevated, from the opulent production design, the immersive sound design, and the radiant cinematography that are all at the center of the action.
The last piece in this intricately crafted puzzle is the cast of the film, with returning favorites such as Lawerence Fisburne’s bombastic Bowery King and Lance Reddick’s Charon, in a posthumous performance that was a fan favorite. In addition, Chapter 4 adds many new characters who are some of the best in the series. Shamier Anderson’s mysterious Tracker and one of the greats of the Hong Kong action star, Donnie Yen, adds one of the most compelling characters of the series with the blind sword-wielding Caine. Finally, Keanu Reeves has driven this series to what it is through his commitment, charisma and physicality to the role.
All of these elements combine to create John Wick Chapter 4’s amazing action sequences, which are without a doubt some of the most technically impressive ever put to screen. In particular, the first major action sequence in Osaka lasts for over 25 minutes, featuring nunchucks, bulletproof adversaries and a samurai duel between the legendary Donnie Yen and Hiroyuki Sanada. The last hour is one continuous action sequence in Paris with “car-fu” in Arc de Triomphe, an exhausting fight up 237 steps to the Sacre-Coeur, and without a doubt, the best action set piece of the whole franchise: the dragon’s breath fight. Shot in a one-take, top-down view, Wick fends off henchmen with a flame-throwing shotgun as the abandoned mansion the fight takes place in crumbles from the volley of gunfire. It is seriously one of the most glorious sequences of action put on the big screen.
John Wick Chapter 4 cements the John Wick series as one of the greats. It didn’t trip up at the last entry or slowly worsen with each chapter but improved and expanded its world. Stahelski and Reeves created a series that will be revered and influential in decades to come and undoubtedly is one of the best films of 2023.