Keanu Reeves as John Wick in John Wick 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in John Wick 4. Photo Credit: Murray Close

Review – John Wick: Chapter 4 is Far Above The Table

By: Robert Prentice
Rating:

The high table has a price, and John Wick isn’t about to take it lying down. John Wick Chapter 4 brings things to an outrageously bloody conclusion after 3 other films lead up to this point.

With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hit man John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.

Review

This time things go international in a much bigger way than the previous film. John has a price on his head, and it keeps going up. His only hope is to take on the bosses at the High Table to clear his name and secure his freedom. From New York, to Paris, Japan, and Berlin we get to see many different hotels and their managers in this installment.

Perhaps the most interesting characters are 2 of the other men brought in to take Wick down, Caine and the Tracker. Caine is played by Donnie Yen and his charisma on screen was an excellent companion to Wick throughout their fight scenes. Another face that brought out another side of Wick so well with his presence on screen was the Japanese Hotel manager Shimazu played by Hiroyuki Sanada. Though in all the stacked cast left few feeling underused or wasted throughout the film.

The mythology surrounding the high table was in full swing yet again but unlike the third film, we didn’t pause to spoon-feed it to the audience this time around. Instead, we were left to soak it up with the rest of the blood-stained floors left behind by Wick’s ever-continuing fight to get to the top of the High Table and seek to get his freedom. Sitting at 2 hours and 49 minutes long, this was by far the longest of the Wick films and really any action film in some time.

In terms of Wick films, it is in my mind tied with the first for its action, set design, and fight sequences, which should be a welcome turn for those who didn’t like the 3rd film. In terms of other action films in the genre, Reeves’ Wick and this film is among the best of its genre. With few words spoken, Reeves’ manages to continue to take punches and keep on ticking.

The John Wick universe has other projects in the works, including the spin-off Ballerina. But for now, we give a special shout out Charon, the concierge at the Continental for his service and RIP to Lance Reddick who recently passed away.

John Wick 4 is out in theatres now.

Courtesy of Lionsgate

Shopping cart
Shop
Wishlist
0 items Cart
My account