‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ Review
Looking for some wall-to-wall, face-to-book action? John Wick 3: Chapter 3 – Parabellum has you covered. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is back again just minutes after the ending of the second movie, being hunted by assassins that are looking to collect their 14 million dollars for Wick’s head. Chapter 3 just might edge out the previous two for the best action (incredibly high bar) while pushing the limits of a narrow story a bit too far.
Once again the action sequences, fighting and stunt choreography is some of the best if not the best you can find right now. First one is right at the beginning and it leans more to entertainment value which was actually quite refreshing. After that they become technical achievements, the high points being a more gunless showdown in an antique shop and a scene at Hotel Continental which shows some stylish production and lighting design as well. A part of this is thanks to the on-screen presence of Reeves who gets to do a lot of the fighting himself. Halle Berry (as Sofia) and her faithful dogs also get a sequence to shine in.
Most of the film is just a major flex from the lighting and cinematography crew as all the set pieces are lit tastefully but yet with flair. It was actually one of the best things about the first movie so it’s great to see making a comeback now after the second one was interested more in upping the action level. All the action and non-action things are shot with wide and long takes but are also very much on the floor with the actors as well, director Chad Stahelski is making his vision clearer a Wick after Wick. Chapter 3 isn’t quite as consistently moving as the first one as it overstays its welcome at the hotel with a Moroccan side quest that really didn’t have much importance. The interesting stuff is where Wick has been, not where he will be.
Smileys: Stunt choreography, Keanu Reeves, lighting, directing
Frowneys: Runtime is a bit too much
Oh, also horses are part of the stunt crew now. And they’re kicking butts.
4.5/5
