Strap yourself in, folks. Take caution when operating this vehicle. It's on a one way street driving the wrong direction, streaking through stop signs and red lights, and it won't let you out until it reaches culmination.
I used the term "vehicle" to describe "John Wick: Chapter 2" for two reasons. Firstly, the majority of the film feels like an adrenaline junkie's joyride. It has a pace and momentum rarely seen in action films today. Secondly, a "vehicle" film is often used to describe a movie built and centered around its main star, and I truly can't picture anyone but Keanu Reeves playing this part. He's always been a personal favorite of mine, and his blend of quiet charisma and technical commitment to his art are on full display here. It's been years since Reeves has found a role he can really fit into and be praised for, but thankfully he's found the part that may ultimately define his career.
"Chapter 2" picks up right where the first film leaves off. Fresh off his systematic destruction of the criminal underworld responsible for his pain and personal suffering, Wick once again attempts to retire from his hit-man profession. But of course, he quickly finds himself pulled back into the world of contractual obligations and violent vendettas. An old friend emerges from his past and asks Wick to satisfy an outstanding debt. Adversaries from his former life stalk him around every corner, hoping to finally eliminate their elusive rival. It's a common plot device used in action or crime films, the aged professional attempting one final job so they can truly be free of their past. If there's one fault with "John Wick: Chapter 2," its the predictable nature of its story. The first film felt like an allegory of moral and personal vengeance. That story had emotional resonance, it brought you along a journey inside one man's psyche, fighting off waves of unnamed foot soldiers in an effort to enact his own brand of righteous revenge. "Chapter 2" is more about the effects of Wick's decisions in the first film, that once he had reemerged into his former life people wouldn't just let him quietly go back to peace once he was finished. The direction that story takes us is a little less innovative. While this story is still enjoyable, it doesn't quite wow you.
What does wow you is the action. The gunfights, the car chases, the hand to hand martial arts, every fight or violent encounter in "Chapter 2" looks and feels impeccable. Director Chad Stahelski is a former stunt performer and coordinator in film, in fact both he and David Leitch (co-director of the first film) served as stunt performers with Keanu Reeves in "The Matrix" trilogy. It's not too often that we see people of these particular skills go behind the camera, so it makes perfect sense that their level of dedication to action scenes would be unparalleled. The choreography of the action is truly a work of art. Reeves deserves tons of credit for his work here, preparing for the role by learning judo, jujutsu, and proper military firearm tactics. I don't think I've seen many other actors that have such devotion to creating realistic action in film, but his prowess in this field is incredible. Also deserving of admiration for his fighting skill is Common, who plays a former associate of Wick who has his own thoughts on revenge. The two stars have a fight scene on the streets of Rome that is breathtaking to watch. But similar to the first film, much praise goes to the unknown stunt performers who battle Wick throughout. People rarely ever learn the names of these men and women, but it's their abilities that make great action films really shine. Thanks to the work of the entire cast and crew, all the fighting and gun play looks practical. I doubt there were very many digital or special effect shots done in these films. That's a mark of truly great action film making. It's easy to tell a computer to make something happen with no risk to the performers. I can't imagine the bumps and bruises these actors received while performing. It's a testament to the personal drive of everyone involved in creating action that the viewer can believe, and I wholeheartedly thank them for it.
One thing that "Chapter 2" has in spades is style, just like its predecessor. It's similar to director John Woo's "gun fu" visual style, albeit a little less over the top and more grounded in reality. The armored suits tailored to Wick and other characters are encased with sophistication. The musical score, done expertly once again by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, is a thrilling blend of classic instrumentals and new age electronica. The buildings, alleys, and spaces above or below ground these characters inhabit are both lush with elegant ambiance and drenched with a somber quality of urban decay. Either way these set pieces provide the perfect backdrop for Wick, his allies, and his enemies to occupy a world of both cultured and gritty realism. But just like the first film, the best style points goes to cinematographer Dan Laustsen. While Jonathan Sela was the director of photography in the first film, Laustsen picks up where he left off and makes you feel like the position had never been changed. The film is a celebration in how to make a movie look stylized. It's clear and fluid, it's brilliant colors race in front of your eyes (especially in the climatic final battle), it's a technical tour de force to look at and listen to.
Familiar faces pop up in the form of Ian McShane, playing the owner of the assassin sanctuary hotel The Continental, Lance Reddick again playing the concierge of said hotel, and John Leguizamo as owner of the chop shop entrusted to care for Wick's pride and joy, his 1969 Mach 1 Mustang. New supporting actors come into play like Lawrence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, and Riccardo Scamarcio, each providing new elements for Wick to overcome. I suppose it is important to see the first film before watching this one, so you can see the journey taken by Wick's character in order to appreciate where he is as a man now.
That being said, if you're looking for a beautiful distraction in the form of non-stop thrill-a-minute action, stop by your local theater and see "John Wick: Chapter 2." But please, leave the kids at home. The Boogeyman will give them nightmares.
