John Wick: Chapter 4

Chad Stahelski and Shay Hatten return with the fourth installment of the John Wick franchise. Wick (Keanu Reeves) is still looking for a way out of his life and his debt to “The Table”. But they are not done with him as a new powerful Marquis (Bill Skarsgard) has risen to prominence on a promise to kill Wick. Not only do they come for Wick but also those close to him. Including Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick), Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada) and his daughter Akira (Rina Sawayama). The Marquis is not Wick’s only problem as he finds he is a “name” for old friend Caine (Donnie Yen) and a bounty hunter (Shamier Anderson). But if Wick can avoid them and the endless line of hunters wanting to cash in on the ever increasing price on his head, then there is finally a way for him to get what he wants.

The thing about the John Wick is it knows exactly what it is about. They are unashamed action films and If John Wick 4 is to be the last, then it has gone out all guns blazing. It’s a 149 minute full throttle adventure from start to finish, that rarely pauses to take a breath and doesn’t drag, even if a couple of fight scenes felt repetitive. Although even at its unrelenting pace it still has time to build in humour and nods to the Wick cannon.

The visual splendour and incredible physicality of the, often long, fight scenes is turned up to 11, highlighed in one fabulous battle that is shot from overhead. It looks fantastic with the mix of neon and traditional gardens in Japan, the decadence of the Berlin night scene to the sweeping use of Paris, ticking off famous sights as it goes.

Performances are what you want and amongst all the action Reeves and Yen bring a world weariness to characters living lives they don’t want. Which balances well against the action.

John Wick: Chapter 4, if it is to be the last installment, has gone out in style. It’s a visual treat that uses to great effect its inspirations from samurai to Westerns. It’s long but doesn’t drag and its action is relentless. For fans of the series, this should be a satisfying conclusion.