Review Of ' John Wick: Chapter 2' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Review Of ' John Wick: Chapter 2'

Exponentially better than the first.

22
Review Of ' John Wick: Chapter 2'
John Wick

John Wick: Chapter 2 will make any action movie fan feel a sense of nostalgia for that 1990s action-death cinema. Director Chad Stahleski delivers balls-to-the-wall, in-your-face, non-stop action that leaves you begging for more. Twists and turns abound in a world where absolutely nothing is off limits, and nothing is predictable. John Wick: Chapter 2 is a film that is self-aware. It knows exactly what it is, and the characters know what is required of them. They don’t try to give the audience more than the story needs. What you see is what you get.

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a man of few words. His actions speak for themselves one bullet at a time. He wants to stay committed to his promise of staying away from the killing game. But you know once you’re in, you can’t get out. The assassin society comes knocking when it’s time for John to pay up a debt. He just wants to be left alone, but when a blood oath is activated, it is against code to turn it down. Poor John. Everyone wants something from him now that he’s technically come out of retirement. This time around the stakes are higher than ever, and John Wick is now the most sought-after man on the planet. There is danger at ever corner, but Wick is there to quell it with deadly accuracy.

The story is more convoluted this time around which presents some pacing issues. I can let that slide because Chapter 2 opens up an extended world where the audience learns about the assassin’s code of honor, blood oaths, continental/neutral territory, and the inner workings of the assassins network. There is a scene where Winston (Ian Mcshane) connects to the account’s payable section. This is where in the network get paid, transfer funds, and add, and delete individuals to an international listserv. Who would have known the assassin world is so organized? Whether this is something that exists in reality or something made for the movie, it’s a genius bit of world building on behalf of screenwriter Derek Kolstad.

John Wick: Chapter 2 is not a sequel so much as it is an extension of the lore from the first John Wick movie. The previous story arc is wrapped up with him getting his full revenge and living to tell about it. Wick’s commitment to survival is what makes the character intriguing–and when speaking of commitment, that is where Keanu Reeves excels. The actor trains extensively in gunplay, and martial arts to make the action look realistic. In a time where Hollywood has become co-dependent on CGI and choppy action sequences, the physical action of John Wick is what keeps fans coming back for more.

Wick accepts that deep down he is a warrior and will fight to the death to live life on his terms. The dark, brooding, Batman-esque man of assassins is made for the warrior lifestyle, and I want more of it. Now that the studio is aware John Wick is a certified hit, they are ready to build a larger story arc. You never know how films like this will appeal to modern audiences, especially with Keanu Reeves as the star. I believe moviegoers are begging for the no-frills directing style of John Wick. There are no gimmicks, no gags, and no tricks. Just straight action and bullets.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1832
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1123
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200334
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20965
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments