John Wick: Chapter Four

     

Since this is the fourth film in the series, if you're not a fan by now, don't even bother reading any further. If trailers or reviews of this film have peaked your interest, go back and start with the initial film, "John Wick".

      As for fans, "Chapter Four" will not disappoint. The action sequences have set a new bar for violence and maximum carnage. The plot is simple enough, the High Table wants John Wick dead and all Wick wants to do is leave his past behind and be free of his obligations to "The Table".

      Keanu Reeves once again stars as John Wick and the film co-stars Donnie Yen as Caine, the blind assassin, Bill Skarsgard as the villainous Marquis de Gramont, Ian McShane as Winston, Laurence Fishburne as Bowery King, as well as Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Clancy Brown and Lance Reddick.

      Director Chad Staheiski, having directed previous installments knows what a John Wick audience expects and here he ups the ante with incredible scenes of chaos and destruction filmed in breathtaking locations including Toyoko, Berlin, and Paris. Credit Mr. Staheiski for his directorial style. While super violent, there is a certain operatic and balletic quality to the mayhem, much of it done without CGI.  His only fault lies in the length of some of the set pieces. Some of the fight sequences go on a bit too long, growing repetitive and borderline tedious. Cut 20 minutes of the two hour and forty nine minute running time and you would have a perfect "kill" shot.