Movie Info
Movie Name: John Wick: Chapter 2
Studio: Lionsgate
Genre(s): Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): January 30, 2017 (Premiere)/February 10, 2017 (US)
MPAA Rating: R
First his wife died, then they killed his dog, then they took his car, now his house is burning…not been a good year for Keanu
By seeking out vengeance, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has turned his life upside down. He’s broken a pact to stay out of the business, and Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) has come calling for John to fulfill his blood oath to honor his marker. John learns that his assignment is non-negotiable and realizes by completing it, he will have a target on his back…but John doesn’t intend to go down without a fight.
Directed by Chad Stahelski, John Wick: Chapter 2 is an action thriller sequel to John Wick from 2014. The movie was released to positive reviews and was a box office success.
John Wick was a pleasant surprise. It was a hardcore action movie that pulled no punches and seemed to have joy in presenting a film that was both modern and a throwback. The idea of a cadre of assassins living and working in our midst is fun…and John Wick: Chapter 2 does it up to the max.
He’s just a Common thug
With as much action that John Wick brought to the screen, John Wick: Chapter 2 had a tough act to follow, but it managed to do it. The movie is almost like a Wild West type picture with everyone shaking in fear at Wick’s name, but this movie has Wick more on the defensive. He’s trapped, brutalized, and forced to make tough calls. It is a little long at two hours of adrenaline, but it utilizes it well and dares to end on a down note the likes haven’t been seen in a while.
Keanu still breathes life into Wick with his ironically stoic and minimal emotion. Riccardo Scamarcio plays the big baddy of this entry, but the movie is loaded with cameos and smaller roles. Ian McShane and Lance Reddick return as the operators of the Continental Hotel, and John Leguizamo returns as Wick’s put-upon mechanic. Ruby Rose and Common take up high profile positions as assassins and Claudia Gerini has a small but memorable scene as D’Antonio’s sister Gianna. Keanu’s Matrix costar Laurence Fishburne appears, David Patrick Kelly, Peter Stormare, and ’60s and ’70s action star Franco Nero plays the Roman equivalent of Ian McShane’s manager.
I take it back…I don’t want to buy you a drink
The movie still excels in the visual department. John Wick was a feast for the eyes and John Wick: Chapter 2 surprisingly keeps up the pace. The movie has some great locations for the long fights like the white station and the museum maze. It explodes and bullets fly…but it still makes sense through smart editing.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is a great ride in a series that shows it has legs. The movie feels a lot like the American version of The Raid in style and energy, and this entry leaves you satisfied but wanting more. John Wick: Chapter 2 is followed by John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum in 2019.
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