Great sequel - more action, more story

Great sequel - more action, more story

John Wick is back, and he's madder and badder than before

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The original John Wick -- released in 2014 -- was perhaps the most enjoyable, well-crafted action film I have seen in years. Despite having a paper-thin premise -- retired (but legendary) assassin John Wick goes on a rampage against an entire army of Russian gangsters for killing his dog and stealing his car -- the film succeeded thanks to its masterfully choreographed action sequences and beautifully shot scenes. If nothing else, the original John Wick proved that you really don't need much in terms of story to make a great action film.

John Wick: Chapter 2, meanwhile, bucks the trend it set itself by including a more substantial narrative for the titular assassin, giving a deeper look into Wick himself as well as the borderline-fantastical world of criminals slightly touched-upon in the first film. While many of the action beats we see in the film are unfortunately quite similar to the first film, there are also some new, extremely creative scenes sprinkled throughout the sequel, making it an enhanced version of the first film in almost every way.

Taking place almost immediately where the first film left off, Wick (Keanu Reeves) finally returns home after wiping out the Russian gangsters who stole his car and killed his dog. His reprieve is short lived, however, when he is visited by Italian mob boss Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio). D'Antonio, whom Wick owes a blood-debt, tasks him with a mission to Rome to assassinate his sister Gianna (Claudia Gerini), the representative of the Italian mafia on the "High Council", a group of crime-bosses charged with making and keeping the rules of engagement among the criminal underworld. Unable to deny the request, Wick reluctantly returns yet again to his bloody calling. Let's get the most obvious comment out of the way first: the action in this film is top-notch. While the first film could very well be described as one long action sequence -- specifically the one in the neon-splashed nightclub -- John Wick: Chapter 2 divides the action into several arcs that tie directly into one another, giving us more varied locales, each lending to its own unique kind of action choreography.

The action also smoothly escalates from each arc to the next, with higher stakes and odds stacked against our protagonist, giving the film a relentless pace that leaves you as breathless (in the best way possible) as John Wick seems to be most of the film.

The brief shoot-out between Wick and his new adversary, fellow assassin Cassian (portrayed by Common), in which both try to subtly shoot at each other in a busy subway station with silenced pistols, is a creative action sequence that is both different and clever, even if it does stretch the limits of reality.

In fact, John Wick: Chapter 2 seems to revel in its subtly fantastical nature. While on his mission in Rome, Wick checks into the local branch of The Continental, the hotel which -- as you'll recall from the first film -- acts as a "safe zone" for all criminals. Among some of the facilities offered by The Continental include "the sommelier" -- a gun dealer who describes guns like fine wine -- and the Tailor, who specialises in making bulletproof suits (not armour, suits, as in slacks and vests and ties). We even get a glimpse of "Accounts Payable", an old-timey-looking office filled with tattooed call operators, that acts as the criminal underworld's central command structure, issuing contracts or memberships to assassins and criminals.

It's all extremely cool and mysterious, and it works splendidly to expand the lore of the John Wick franchise.

With an ending that is clearly meant to pave the way for future instalments, John Wick: Chapter 2 succeeds in building upon the foundations of the first film, being an enhanced version of the original in every way, giving us a more insightful look at both Wick and the world around him, while ratcheting up the action to 11 -- and keeping it there -- throughout the film.

John Wick: Chapter 2

Starring Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ian McShane

Directed by Chad Stahelski

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