John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum Review: Keanu & Co. Deliver On Stylized R-Rated Action
- naterichard98
- Jul 20, 2019
- 2 min read
DIRECTED BY: CHAD STAHELSKI STARRING: KEANU REEVEHALLE BERRY & IAN McSHANE
RATED R FOR PERVASIVE STRONG VIOLENCE, AND SOME LANGUAGE LENGTH: 131 MINUTES
The first John Wick movie came out of nowhere to say the least, in fact Lionsgate released the film's first trailer literally a month before the film's wide theatrical release. But thanks to some strong reviews, positive word-of-mouth, and successful blu-ray sales, Lionsgate decided to move forward on a sequel, John Wick: Chapter 2. The sequel more doubled the first film's box office take, leading the studio to move forward with not only a third entry in the series but also a spin-off titled Ballerina and a TV series on Starz called The Continental. So does John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum deliver?
It feels that Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski haven't missed a beat when it comes to delivering some stylistic brutal R-rated action. The third entry in the series is set directly after the events of the second film follows the titular John Wick now gone "excommunicado" after breaking the rules of hitman hotel the Continental. Now with every assassin in the world out to get him, John must form some unholy alliances.
The John Wick films have never been known for their plot and while in most franchises that would serve as a major problem, but thanks to the direction and commitment of the cast and crew when handling action scenes, those issues dissolve into minor nitpicks. Stahelski directs action like no other modern action filmmaker, the camerawork is smooth, it feels crisp, and the violence doesn't feel senseless, in fact he actually gets fairly creative with it (death by horse, book, pencil, etc.).
Reeves continues to perform in the role of the formerly retired assassin, John Wick, he never just feels like a one-dimensional killing machine. In fact the mystery behind him adds to his character and in a way makes us want to root for him even more. The supporting cast members all turn in some memorable performances as well, particularly Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillon, and Mark Dacascos.
While the film certainly isn't boring, it does run about 10 minutes too long which for a film lacking a concrete story isn't the most ideal; though in film as stylistically creative as this, that isn't too big of a detractor.
John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum is exactly what you expect and want from another John Wick movie. Not only is it ferociously entertaining but it carries that same weird unexpected magic that made the first two films so special.
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