MOVIE REVIEW: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2

Legendary hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is once again called out of retirement, this time by a former colleague (Riccardo Scamarcio) who wants him to repay a debt by killing an Italian crime lord (Claudia Gerini). But when the attempted assassination goes awry, Wick finds himself hunted by an international cabal of killers, and his only hope for survival might be a shadowy figure known as the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). Director Chad Stahelski and screenwriter Derek Kolstad return for this sequel to their 2014 cult action hit. Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, John Leguizamo, Common, Lance Reddick, and Bridget Moynahan co-star. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director: Chad Stahelski

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Common, John Leguizamo, Bridget Moynahan, Laurence Fishburne

Release Date: Feb 10, 2017

Rated R for Strong Violence Throughout, Some Language and Brief Nudity

Runtime: 2 hr. 2 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

John Wick: Chapter 2 does everything a sequel should do by upping the action and expanding the world from the first film.  Chad Stahelski seems to have a firm understanding of what worked from the first film.  As such, we are treated to a virtual ballet of bullets during some impressively choreographed sequences.  The story opens up the network of hitmen and support system which is fun even though it’s ludicrous anyway you cut it.  Still, it’s a fun bit of world building that gives the story a neat frame work which introduces us to a wide variety of characters.  Keanu Reeves does his best work during the action sequences which is hardly a surprise.  Reeves has never been an acting powerhouse so it’s the film benefit that he’s got limited requirements as Wick.  The supporting players like Ian McShane, Common and Laurence Fishburne give the film a bit more body than it probably deserves.  The biggest stretch for the film is Ruby Rose who never really fits in.  It might have something to do with the fact that she looks more like a female Justin Bieber than any sort of menacing badass.  It’s not a major drawback because there are so many people trying to kill John Wick, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle especially since nearly 90% of the population of New York is trained hitmen.  At certain points, the film does begin to suffer from attrition simply because there’s so much going on in the final act.  John Wick: Chapter 2 sets up the 3^rd entry nicely which should make for a fun capper to the series.  

B

MOVIE REVIEWS: BATTLE LOS ANGELES

IN THEATERS

BATTLE LOS ANGELES



A Marine platoon fights to prevent the city of Los Angeles from being overtaken by a race of highly advanced alien invaders in this epic sci-fi action thriller from director Jonathan Liebesman (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) and producer Neal H. Moritz (I Am Legend, Fast & Furious). After decades of speculation about life on other planets, the people of Earth discover that extraterrestrials really do exist when destruction rains down from the stars on cities all across the globe. When the alien warships descend upon Los Angeles, however, the ferocious invaders discover that humankind won't go down without a fight as a gruff Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his fearless troop of jarheads point their weapons skyward and make one last stand for the entire human race. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Jonathan Liebesman

Cast: Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodríguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ne-Yo

Release Date: Mar 11, 2011

Rated PG-13 for sustained and intense sequences of war violence and destruction, and for language

Runtime: 1 hr. 56 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Battle Los Angeles blast on the screen in an endless overlong barrage of explosions and firefights that seem intent on beating you into submission. Borrowing heavy doses from Black Hawk Down and War of the World, everything about this film is clichéd and unoriginal. The insane part is that Jonathan Liebesman seems to believe that if he gives you enough shakey shakey cam action you’ll forget about all that. Liebesman does his best Michael Bay impression whenever he’s not shooting near carbon copy scenes stolen from Black Hawk Down. Characters are incredibly generic and uninteresting. Aaron Eckhart’s square chin and grave voice tries his best give this story some heart and emotion but the script is so incredibly weak that there’s only so much he can do. Michelle Rodriguez and Bridget Moynahan show up to remind that this is a big budget movie but aren’t asked to anything more than shoot and look concerned. These type of films can be fun but even mindless fun needs some substance.

D

[Trailer 3] Battle: Los Angeles

What originally looked like another Skyline mess is looking more and more impressive, hopefully it can back up the promise shown in the trailers, Jonathan Liebesman whose directing is hardly got an impressive resume, this one in particular looks very impressive....