MOVIE REVIEW – John Wick (Keanu Reeves) can’t escape the shadows of the underworld. After breaking the rules of the High Council and killing one of its members on the grounds of the Hotel, he flees for his life across the world. But he won’t be caught lightly: he finds new allies and faces old enemies in a bloody battle in which everyone is out to get him. Will he survive to finish what he started? John Wick Act 4 is the final episode in the John Wick series, promising more spectacular action and thrilling twists and turns.

 

 

The John Wick series has become one of the most successful action film franchises of recent years. The first installment of the story of the reclusive assassin debuted in 2014 and was a critical and popular success. The sequels have not disappointed, both grossing over $300 million worldwide and earning acclaim from action-movie fans. Many see the series’ strengths in its simple but effective premise: a man’s quest for revenge against those who took everything he had to live for. The films also stand out for their spectacular fight sequences, in which Keanu Reeves performs his own stunts, and for their depiction of a rich and mysterious underworld with its own rules and rituals.

 

 

John Wick’s final mission: how the revenge mission ends

 

John Wick 4 picks up where the previous episode left off. Badly wounded, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) flees New York with Winston (Ian McShane) after the latter’s betrayal makes him a target in the underworld. However, Winston doesn’t abandon him completely: he helps him get to Berlin, where he meets an old friend and master (Donnie Yen) who prepares him for the fight ahead. Meanwhile, the Adjucator (Asia Kate Dillon) continues to hunt Wick and anyone who has helped or hurt him in the past.

Throughout the film, John Wick travels to a variety of locations, including Berlin, Paris, Tokyo and Moscow, where he faces new challenges and dangers. At the end of the story, John Wick must decide what he wants to do with his life: continue his fight against the underworld or find peace somewhere.

 

 

A real star parade: who’s playing for and against John Wick?

 

In John Wick 4, Keanu Reeves is back in the title role. The Canadian-American actor perfectly portrays the character of John Wick: a lonely and desperate warrior, yet with a moral code and a sense of humour. Reeves not only impresses the audience with his performance, but also with his acrobatic skills: as in the previous episodes, he does most of the stunts and fight sequences himself. The film’s director Chad Stahelski said that Reeves was very dedicated during the shoot and trained and practiced a lot to master the choreography.

The supporting cast includes Donnie Yen, who many of you may know from the Ip Man films. Yen plays John Wick’s old friend and master, who helps him prepare for his final battle. Yen was not only an actor in the film, but also a martial arts teacher, teaching Reeves some moves and tricks. The two actors had great chemistry and performed several spectacular scenes together.

Another new face in the film is Hiroyuki Sanada, with whom Reeves has previously worked on 47 Ronin. Sanada plays a Japanese yakuza leader against whom John Wick must face off in Tokyo. Sanada is a seasoned action movie star, having starred in films such as The Last Samurai, The Road to Revenge and The President in Peril. According to the director of the film, Sanada was very professional and added a lot to the atmosphere of the film.

Among the better-known returning cast members, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne , Lance Reddick and Asia Kate Dillon will have major roles. McShane as Winston, manager of the Continental Hotel in New York, Fishburne as the Bowery King, master of the streets, Reddick as Charon, Winston’s loyal employee, and Dillon as the Adjucator, a ruthless representative of the High Council. They all bring their characters to life well, playing an important role in shaping the fate of John Wick.

 

 

Action is the soul of the film: how did the fight scenes help the story?

 

John Wick 4 didn’t skimp on the action scenes either. The film is full of spectacular and brutal fights, shootouts, car chases and explosions. The film’s director, Chad Stahelski, has previously worked as a stuntman and brings that experience to the John Wick films. The film’s action choreography is very varied and creative, with John Wick not only using guns and knives to kill his opponents, but also weapons such as a nunchaku or a samurai sword. The action in the film not only entertains the audience, but also moves the story forward: every fight has its own purpose and consequences.

The film’s action sequences were a big challenge for the crew. Filming took place in several countries: Germany, France, Japan and the United States. In Berlin, for example, a stuntman was injured during a motorbike scene, and in Paris, an explosion caused a fire near the Eiffel Tower. Also, due to pandemic COVID-19, filming had to be interrupted several times and safety precautions had to be observed. Keanu Reeves, who stars in the film, said it was the most difficult John Wick film he had ever made, but he was very proud of it.

 

 

John Wick 4: farewell to a legend

 

John Wick 4 is a fitting end to the John Wick series. The film gives fans everything they’ve come to expect: a gripping story, compelling action and charismatic actors. The film not only brings John Wick’s story to a close, but also opens up new possibilities for the franchise. In fact, at the end of the film, there are hints that Sofia (Halle Berry) may get her own spinoff film, and that the High Council has not yet completely given up on John Wick. This suggests that we may yet see another John Wick film or series.

-BadSactor-