Directed by:
Chad StahelskiScreenplay:
Derek KolstadCinematography:
Dan LaustsenCast:
Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Laurence Fishburne, Tobias Segal, John Leguizamo (more)VOD (1)
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Keanu Reeves reprises his role as the eponymous hitman in this action thriller sequel. In this instalment, John Wick is again coaxed out of retirement when Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) calls in a debt and persuades the former hitman to kill his sister, Gianna (Claudia Gerini), in Rome. However, the tables are soon turned when Santino puts out a hit on Wick, a bounty his fellow assassins all over the world are only too happy to collect. (Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
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Poetry in motion. John Wick is a delightfully straightforward action movie that is constantly surprising and incredibly stylish with every shot. It is a film of movement that should theoretically satisfy fans of Buster Keaton, Akira Kurosawa, Sergio Leone, John Woo and video games. The comic-bookishly exaggerated world with a taciturn western hero (who, however, is skilled at expressing himself with a pen) makes more sense than in the first film thanks to the elaboration of the mythology, but a halting rhythm is the price paid for the second instalment’s longer runtime. The wheels come off the film for a moment after Laurence Fishburne, the king of New York vagabonds, appears (too late) on the scene (I believe he will be better utilised in the sequel) and just needlessly burns minutes towards the end (the return “home”). Though the first John Wick wasn’t so long that it would start repeating itself, and I will watch it again with greater enthusiasm, but from now on I will be happy to use the second instalment of John Wick, alongside Sherlock Jr., as a prime example of the fact that action doesn’t have to be created only through editing, but also through movement in thoughtfully composed shots. Who would have said a few years ago that the most respect-worthy action hero of the 21st century, whom you believe has a love for a nameless dog, distinctive taste in clothes, an understanding of intelligent modern art (you never know when a properly adjusted mirror might save your life) and the ability to shoot up the entire Camorra without batting an eye, would be Keanu Reeves in his fifties? 80%
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At first, the second John Wick is pretty much the same as the first, but that's not a bad thing, and as time goes on (especially during the riveting part set in Italy) it becomes clear that this film really is bigger and in some ways even more imaginative than its older brother. I really liked the more elaborate world of all the killers, the big hunt for John Wick and the mirror finale that reminded me of The Man with the Golden Gun. I believed in Keanu Reeves with everything, and his castmates (the charmingly badass Ruby Rose) certainly didn't get put to shame. I'd quite like it if Chad Stahelski did a Bond movie in the future, because he's as good at action scenes as he is at non-action ones, and the result would definitely be interesting.
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Something wicked this way comes! They had a dog in the first one, and artistic ambitions in part two. And they look deadly serious during it ... and I'm buying it this time. Proof that headshots belong to galleries and newer Bond films may be outdated, but with their emphasis on increasingly daring sets, they also influence films you wouldn't expect at all. At the same time, Stahelski is learning to be a director and plays even more with the timing of the action, which, unlike many of my colleagues, I consider significantly better than in the first film (I don't even know the last time I smiled so stupidly during the arming scene). Wick grabbed exactly what I enjoyed most in number one - the strange mythology of the brotherhood of assassins - and adds other interesting fragments. The main ingredient, in addition to the flashy visuals, the crazy pompous scenography and the fantastic choreography, is, of course, Keanu. He goes against the fashion of muscular fighters and kills with the same, and still penetrating gaze. Reeves returns to the elite through a door no one expected three years ago. And I can't help but say that I'm just looking forward to the third movie in the style of "him vs the world". A very, very nice surprise, which played an even better game with the same characters.
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What is the second Raid movie compared to the first movie, is the first chapter of John Wick compared to the first one, let´s put it this way, creators learned from their own mistakes. We have not had the opportunity to watch something like this in Czech cinemas for a long time, something with such a clear, diverse (the monotony of action of the first movie is long gone) and above all an imaginative composition, aesthetics and choreography of true contact action scenes. And if, in addition, the "obligatory plot frame as a makeweight" is not really a make weight, then what more to ask for an uncompromising straightforward action from the old school? Perhaps just an imaginary icing on the cake in the form of graduating of the memorable final shootout in the gallery also of the equally memorable one-on-one duel, third round of "Wick vs. Cassian" would call for it.
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If I'm going to tell someone in 30 years what action movie was hot in 2017, John Wick 2 will come out of my mouth without fail! This film is absolutely revolutionary for the action genre and features everything a proper action movie should have. It is highly elegant, sumptuous, opulent, modern and stylish in its visuals. I even enjoyed the view of the statues and fountains, and they made very good use of the monuments of Rome. The fast cars, solid suits and the decent selection of weapons are also cool. I have no complaints at all about the action itself, it meets the strictest criteria with aplomb. Interesting locations alternating, solid music playing, the camera is clear, the R-rating is perfect and besides the excellent headshots that were in the first one, the second one is spiced up with shotgun shooting or very good fights that the first one lacked. Of course Keanu Reeves can't compare to the elites from Asia in fights, he seemed too robotic at times, but the martial arts capable bad guys save the day. Big praise goes to Common, whom I noticed already in Run All Night and here he proves again that he is not only an excellent villain, but also a great fighter. And second praise goes to the discovery of the year, Ruby Rose, who is not only attractive but can even move (even with a knife!), being deaf and expressing everything in very elegant sign language only enhanced her performance. Story-wise, the film may be simpler, but I personally can't think of a better theme for the action genre than a group of dangerous assassins going after the main character. I'm very satisfied. A threequel is in the works. Anyone who gives less than 3 stars is old-fashioned and without balls in my book. There hasn't been more intense action porn since The Raid. 90%.
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