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 3rd entry nicely which should make for a fun
capper to the series.
B
