If you are familiar with the John Wick films chapters 1 through 3 then you know why we find him up against the organization for which he works. A hit man, John has been trained in every combat style and knows how to face off against any attacker.
As the film opens John Wick has been sent for by a member of the High Table that oversees all combat and killing for their hitmen. Since John has built up enough gold credits, lost his wife to cancer, his dog killed and feels he has destroyed enough, has “retired” from the business. But, there are a lot of loose ends and only the High Table can release him.
After taking out one of the most high. John finds himself on the run and being forced to make another kill. Director Chad Stahelski continues his book of death, daring and revenge with a topper to his previous three chapters adding even more ways to kill or be killed action. The action is relentless and the story keeps changing as Wick puts his life on the line for another battering of his body. I like this chapter a lot, but there may be a thread of hope for just one more final chapter. But, only the box-office tally will tell. If the nearly $30 million for the first day is any telling however, this one should to be a hum dinger. This just in, Keanu has signed for a John Wick: Chapter 5,
Keanu Reeves is at his best as the one man killing machine. It’s a performance that surly was a test of his stamina, focus, mind and body. Not letting up, he takes a beating and keeps on treating his audience from opening scene to the very end.
John Wick: Chapter 4 has been rated R by the MPPA for pervasive strong violence and some language. For his fan base the film get 5 out of 5 stars. And for all daring newcomers to the continuing saga, I give the film 5 out of 5+ (but before you go to see the film, check out the first two chapters on VOD and Sci-Fi channel).
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne,
Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, and Ian McShane
Directed By: Chad Stahelski
Genre: Action, Suspense
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive strong violence and some language
Running Time: 2 hrs. 49 min.
Opening Date: March 24, 2023
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released in: Theaters
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com