John Wick: Chapter 2

John Wick: Chapter 2

Starring Keanu Reeves, Common, Laurence Fishburne, Riccardo Scamarcio

Directed by Chad Stahelksi

The Story:
After coming out of retirement to get revenge on those who stole his car and killed his dog, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) receives a job from Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) after he gave him a marker - a blood oath that has to be fulfilled or his life would be considered forfeit.  Wick reluctantly takes the job after his house is bombed and sets out to complete the task, and soon finds that there's been a bounty placed on his life, and has to avoid deadly assassins at every turn.

The Synopsis:
When "John Wick" came out in 2014, no one suspected it would've been the success it was.  It was just another action film with Keanu Reeves, but it became much more due to its stylistic fighting, intriguing story and dark history the film told, especially concerning Reeves' former employers known as the Continental.  The movie was a dizzying array of fast-paced violence, dazzling cinematography and edge-of-your-seat suspense, and was a critical and audience hit.

So as it is with any successful movie, they immediately greenlit a sequel.  That could've been either a blessing or a curse, as sequels rarely hold true-to-form with the original and goes off on wild tangents as well as try to elaborate on the hidden mysteries of the first film.  Thankfully, they managed to bring back the two most important people from the first film: Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelksi (who, before directing the first film, was best known for being an action stunt double on countless films, including "The Matrix" movies that also starred Reeves and Laurence Fishburne).  Together, the two men once again brought a thrilling, action-packed movie that somehow exceeded the original in both violence and character development, and is one of those rare sequel-is-almost-as-good-as-the-original movies.

Even though this installment isn't as personal as the first, we still see Keanu Reeves - who, at age 52 doesn't look a lick over 40 - kicking butt and taking names, but this time it's due to an oath he had promised someone earlier, and not because some people killed his dog.  He's very reluctant to do this, but he knows if he doesn't then he'd be hunted down by the Continental, so he begrudgingly sets out on his assigned task.  What follows is action scene after action scene where he battles the likes of Common and newcomer Ruby Rose, who rose to fame on "Orange is the New Black" and is quickly emerging as the next big action heroine after appearing here and in "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage."  The cinematography is excellent as each action scene is carefully choreographed almost like the most exquisite dance numbers from the most beautiful ballets, but only with much more punching, kicking, shooting and headshots. 

Despite the non-stop violence, "Chapter 2" also has its share of oddly dark humor as well that left the audience laughing.  From Wick's dry humor to his montage of gaining new weapons and a suit, plus the scene with the sumo wrestler assassin, there's plenty of dark humor to go around.  Plus there's one scene that's pretty much going to be the focal point of the franchise, as we finally witness in all its gory glory Wick's proficiency with a pencil: let's just say it's not used to file tax returns. 

We also get a deeper view of the Continental, and the archaic - yet sternly enforced - rules they adhere to.  Wick didn't want to take the marker, but even his boss told him he had to.  When Reeves and Common were fighting in the streets they crash through a window that belonged to the Continental, and even though they were just fighting to the death they had to stop because the rules state that no business or bloodshed could be done within Continental grounds, which led to another humorous moment as both men share a drink despite their clearly visible wounds.

Another great addition to the movie was Laurence Fishburne, who stars as Bowery King, an underground crime lord whom John Wick spared years earlier.  The two men previously appeared in the "Matrix" series, and they have a clear rapport with each other that's unmistakable.  It was awesome when Wick told King, "I guess you have a choice," which was a staple in the "Matrix" movies, usually with Fishburne telling that to Reeves.  I hope that, in "Chapter 3," the two men get more airtime together.

The Summary:
Taking everything that made the first film great and upping the ante, "John Wick: Chapter 2" was one of those rare sequels that worked just as well as the original, and featured even more over-the-top action violence.

The Score: A-