John Wick: Chapter 2 Reviewed

By The Book?

♦Out today in UK cinemas, Tripwire’s Editor-in-Chief JOEL MEADOWS takes a look at the follow-up to John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, starring Keanu Reeves. Warning: Minor spoilers ahead…
John Wick: Chapter 2
Director: Chad Stahelski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, Laurence Fishburne

When the first John Wick was released (in 2014 in the US and later on in the UK), expectations were limited. Reeves had had a catalogue of unremarkable action and sci fi movies to his name in recent years and many people thought that he was done as a force in Hollywood. John Wick proved that this was far from the truth. So fast-forward to 2017 and we have a follow-up, John Wick: Chapter 2. Stahelski doesn’t waste any time in the set up as we are thrown into a new frenetic car chase. Wick appears to have left his old life behind mostly until Santino D’Antonio (Scamarcio) comes to him to honour a debt, which forces him back into his old profession. It turns out that D’Antonio is not as honourable as he first seems and so Wick is forced on the back foot, with a bounty on his head.

Structurally John Wick: Chapter 2 isn’t that different to its progenitor. But we do get to learn more about the world that Wick and his fellow killers inhabit including international hotel chain with a difference The Continental, run by Winston (Ian McShane), who makes a return visit here. New bad guy D’Antonio is a suitably vicious antagonist for Wick and new assassins Cassian (Common) and Ares (Ruby Rose) are interesting enough for viewers. Reeves still looks the business as central protagonist Wick and McShane displays why he has had such a long career as an actor. Visually it isn’t quite as inventive as the first one, which had a very definite style all of its own.

We do get a nifty cameo from Laurence Fishburne as The Bowery King, reuniting Reeves with his Matrix co-star. His part is small but pivotal.

Making a follow-up to a film with as much inherent goodwill as John Wick is always fraught with peril. John Wick: Chapter 2 isn’t quite as unique as its predecessor but it still has enough charm and elegance to it that you can’t help but be swept into its wake. It is inevitable with its open-ended conclusion that a third film is on the cards. The filmmakers have to be careful that John Wick doesn’t outstay its welcome but this second installment is a well-made slice of Hollywood action with some well-handled scenes and enough chemistry between the main players.

John Wick: Chapter 2 is out now in UK cinemas.

John Wick: Chapter 2 www.tripwiremagazine.co.uk