In the surprise action hit, John Wick, no one knew if he was back or not. Well, in John Wick: Chapter 2, I assure you we don’t even have to ask. This ferocious beast is an adrenaline-pumping, no holds barred sequel with Keanu Reeves turning murder into an art form. Director Chad Stahelski returns by turning the ass-kicking up a notch. The body count is endless, the blood never ceases to stop spilling, and the insanity of it all shall never be questioned. Chapter 2 thrives in the mayhem miraculously.
Reeves suits up once again as Wick, and the man just can’t stay retired. This time a lethal Italian gangster Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) wants to cash in his marker, a criminal IOU sealed with a pinky promise. Point is, it’s something you don’t refuse. Santino needs Wick to execute his sister, Gianna (Claudia Gerini), so he can take his rightful seat at the “High Table,” a spot where only racketeer royalty gather.
For Wick, the mission sounds simple without much of a mess to clean up. But, by the time he locks eyes with Cassian (an impressive, unyielding Common), Gianna’s right-hand man, it’s obvious Wick is in for a rough night. And the party is just getting started. Ares (Ruby Rose), muted leader of Santino’s plug-ugly posse, is keeping a close watch on Wick as well.
No loose ends.
Keeping his friends close and his enemies closer is how Wick rolls. That’s why he’s fairly cagey when he seeks help from the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). They go way back. Neo and Morpheus reunited, but their predicament is just a tad different. There’s no red or blue pill to choose from around these parts. He does have friends in high places though. None higher than Winston (an always charming Ian McShane), the “Manager” of the extravagant Continental Hotel, one of the few places where killing doesn’t exist. In this chapter, rules were made to be broken.
There’s magic in the moves of Reeves. As stylish as the film itself, he wears Wick in a brutal, bruising fashion with no regard to what may happen next. He’s a loner taking aim at a world that’s gone fucking bonkers. His rage runs wild, but the fealty and focus of Reeves’ performance is sturdier than all else.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is kung fu with bullets, and those bullets go straight to the head. Fun, funny, and fast, this is the real deal for action sequels everywhere.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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