John Wick: Chapter 4 movie review (2023) – Roger Ebert

Welcome again, Mr. Wick. 4 years after “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves have returned to theaters with “John Wick: Chapter 4,” a movie that was imagined to hit theaters virtually two full years in the past. Belief me. It was well worth the wait. Stahelski and writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch have distilled the mythology-heavy strategy of the final couple chapters with the streamlined motion of the primary movie, leading to a last hour right here that stands among the many better of the style. 

“John Wick: Chapter 4” opens with its title character (Reeves) on the run once more because the villainous Powers That Be often known as the Excessive Desk get in his approach. The principle villain of the collection is the Marquis de Gramont (Invoice Skarsgård), a frontrunner of the Excessive Desk who retains elevating the bounty on Wick’s head whereas he additionally cleans up the messes left behind, together with probably eliminating Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and his a part of this nefarious group. The opening scenes take Wick to Japan, the place he seeks assist from the pinnacle of the Osaka Continental, Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada), and runs afoul of a blind Excessive Desk murderer named Caine (the badass Donnie Yen). Laurence Fishburne pops up from time to time as Wick’s Q when the killer wants a brand new bulletproof swimsuit, and Shamier Anderson performs an murderer who appears to be ready for the value on Wick’s head to hit the appropriate degree for him to get his payday. Greater than the final couple of movies, the plot right here, regardless of the film’s epic runtime (169 minutes), feels refreshingly centered once more. This is John Wick. Listed here are the unhealthy guys. Go!

And go they do. Stahelski and his staff assemble motion sequences in a way that by some means feels each pressing and artistically choreographed on the identical time. Filmmakers who over-think their shoot-outs typically land on a tone that feels distant, missing in stakes, and feeling extra fashionable than substantial. The nice motion administrators determine how you can movie fight in a approach that does not sacrifice pressure for showmanship. The motion sequences in “John Wick: Chapter 4” are lengthy battles, gun-fu shoot-outs between John and dozens of people that underestimate him, however they’ve a lot momentum that they do not overstay their welcome. 

In addition they have splendidly outlined stakes. At one level within the movie, John and an enemy determine on the parameters of a battle, together with time, weapons, and variables. However that is actually true of all the most important motion scenes, wherein we very clearly perceive what John must do and who he must undergo to “end the extent.” The simplicity of goals permits for complicated choreography. We all know what must occur for John to maintain pushing ahead as he has for the reason that starting of the primary movie. A lot trendy motion is cluttered with characters or muddled goals, however the “Wick” movies have such good readability of intention that they’ll then have enjoyable inside these easy constructs.

A lot enjoyable. The choreography of the motion right here may be merely breathtaking. I beloved how typically the world goes on round Wick and his unlucky combatants. In a sequence that will be one of the best in virtually another latest motion film (however is like 3^rd or 4^th right here), Wick has to battle a makeup-covered Scott Adkins and his military of unfortunate idiots in a crowded nightclub. The dancers barely discover. They often half slightly bit to allow them to by, however they do not cease and stare. With water pouring into the membership, the writhing, and dancing our bodies make for such a visually creative backdrop. Later, in considered one of my favourite motion sequences of all time, Wick and his predators battle within the site visitors circle across the Arc de Triomphe. The automobiles do not cease. The truth is, it seems like they velocity up. As pictures ring out within the streets on this movie, nobody opens the window to see what the hell is occurring. The world exterior of Wick and the mythology of this world virtually seems like they can not even see the legendary murderer and the hundred or so individuals he finally ends up killing. It is an interesting, visually placing selection.

After which there’s what I might name Motion Geography. So many individuals have tried to imitate the frenetic strategy of the “Bourne” films, and the outcomes have typically been extra incoherent than not. The wonderful cinematographer Dan Laustsen (an everyday Guillermo del Toro collaborator on “The Form of Water,” “Nightmare Alley,” and extra) works with Stahelski to ensure the motion right here is clear and brutal, by no means complicated. The stunt work is phenomenal, and, once more, the shoot-outs have the texture of dance choreography greater than the tasteless plot-pushing of so many studio movies. There’s simply a lot grace and ingenuity each time Wick goes to work. 

In fact, a fantastic forged helps too. Reeves may need fewer traces on this film than any up to now within the franchise, however he fully sells Wick’s dedication whereas additionally imbuing him with emotional exhaustion that provides extra gravity to this chapter. The vengeful Wick of the primary movie is a distinct one than the survivor three films later, and Reeves is aware of precisely what this character wants. So many performers would add pointless touches to a personality that is already this in style, however Reeves is wise about streamlining this efficiency to suit the movie round him. It additionally permits for just a few supporters to shine in numerous efficiency registers, particularly Yen and Anderson. The legendary Yen is implausible right here, not simply in fight however the moments in between. Most individuals who know who Donnie Yen is will not be shocked to listen to that he suits in right here completely, however he is even higher than you anticipate. Anderson additionally provides a enjoyable efficiency as a person who simply appears to be a mercenary ready for the appropriate worth, however followers of the collection will word from the start that this badass has a canine, and this universe values puppies and individuals who love them.