A nearly three-hour gunfight chronicle, John Wick: Chapter 4 is an orgy of Shakespearean violence, a salute to stunt choreography and a return to the origins of the original film; It is actually a story of a war and a dog.
In four bloody parts, Keanu Reeves played the sadistic and silent killer of John Wick, directed by his former stunt double Chad Stahelski, who has established himself as an excellent film stylist. Together they created a completely unique blockbuster franchise that dared to be sad and centered around a sad Reeves – a sad John Wick. It dares to use a bold aesthetic – color, style, production design and location – that seems utterly revolutionary in an age of endless green screens and CGI landscapes.
These films are very stylish, but this has nothing to do with the complexity of the story: the John Wick films are simply vehicles for an old dream ballet with impressive action choreography against the backdrop of luxurious scenery. Reeves knows he's full of violence here, and while Shay Hatten and Michael Finch's script is filled with tales of the Continental Hotel for assassins (narrated by Clancy Brown), feel free to let it overwhelm you. on you
All you need to know is that John Wick is fighting for his freedom, the High Table, the ruling body of assassins, won't give it to him, and he will fight to the death for it. The new leader of the high table, the suave Marquis Ponce (a superb Bill Skarsgård), not only announces a huge bounty on Wick's head, but forces the blind Zatoichi-like swordsman Kane (an even better Donnie Yen) to kill Jon. Instead of Vic to protect his daughter.
This is how it evolves. "John Wick: Chapter 4" consists of three parts, which take place in different parts of the world. The first event at The Continental in Osaka is impressive, with a neon Japanophile style that combines traditional and modern symbols: cherry blossoms and samurai swords, deep red and nightclub lighting. A hotel run by Shimazu (Sanda Hirayuki) and his daughter Akira (singer Rina Sawayama making her acting debut) becomes the scene of a conflict between John and an associate at High Table. This is the climax of the film, and the first half ends on a sad note.
This long fight sequence showcases the best of John Wick's films, combining choreography with location and cinematography. An integral part of the event was Kevin Kavanagh's eye-catching decor, including glass art panels and neon-lit staircases. Dan Lawsen's superb cinematography captures this in long, fluid camera moves, allowing the work of the professional stuntmen to shine.
The film then moves to Berlin and then to Paris when John decides to challenge the Marquis to a duel. In Berlin, he must regain the trust of his family to force them to accept his calling, and in Paris, if he can go to church (ie Sacre-Coeur) he will meet the Marquis.
It has both soft and sublime moments. Attempts at comedy ultimately fail; I wish the filmmakers realized that John Wick's humor works when they take it seriously (Reeves knows this) and don't try to force it. There's a fateful scene with Scott Adkins in a fat suit when John Wick kicks his ass in a Berlin nightclub. Adkins is nice to see in movies, but not that.
But when it's glorious, it's certainly transcendent, as A's incredible performance as a blind assassin delivers one of the greatest physical performances of all time. The supporting cast brings color and warmth, and Shamier Anderson is also great as a stalker trying to extend John Wick's contract. Each character has a different fighting style, and while Ian looks like a classically trained dancer, "Mr. Nobody" is all muscle and brawn, a lifeguard with a pump-action shotgun, a backpack, and military training. By the way, he is a dog with a dog whose loyalty will change their loyalty over time.
John Wick is a man of few words but a lot of action, and when all is said and done, watching him move through space from a Japanese art gallery to a club in Berlin to the rotunda of the Arch is pure joy. del Triomphe and, more impressively, the 222 steps of the Sacré Coeur. We love to see him in action, a skill he uses almost begrudgingly, and John Wick: Chapter 4 is a breathtakingly beautiful, if somewhat messy, climax to America's favorite killer.
"John Wick: Chapter 4"
3 stars (out of 4)
Rating: R (for strong overall violence and strong language)
Duration: 2:49
How to watch: In theaters Friday
