Fifty Shades Darker may have also dropped the same day, but JWC2 is the more erotic of the two.
Daddy Keanu is back again to play my multi-dimensional baby John Wick! I've never squealed so hard for a sequel in my life.
First off, if you haven't seen the first John Wick, I strongly urge you to immediately because my review will mean nothing to you. When I first watched John Wick, I was blown away. One of the most pure action movies of the past decade, it was an extreme roller coaster ride of emotions from the very beginning. You cared about this man because he just lost his wife, then some thug steals his car and *gasp!* KILLS HIS DOG (which btw was the last gift his wife ever gave him). The entire world is shook when John's name is mentioned, even the grisliest of crime lords. A massive killing spree happens resulting in one of the greatest movies of our time, and ends on enough of a cliffhanger to leave you wanting more.
Enter in John Wick: Chapter 2, which starts off right from where the first movie ends. John finds his car and he proceeds to utterly destroy it by killing everyone who dares to try to stop him from taking it. This is just one of many (and I mean many) tense action scenes including but not limited to people being run over, flipped into steel beams, shot in the kneecaps, and tons of hand-to-hand combat. Wow. It's not even ten minutes in!
Later, John is relaxing at home after a long day at work and has just finished cementing (literally) his old life in the basement again when there's a knock on the door. It's Santino D'Antonio, cashing in a 'marker' which John refuses. I will not spoil the movie, but what happens next is so devastating. Really, how much more can they take from this man? John seeks advice from the manager, long time friend Winston and is told to honor the rules and do what Santino wants. After that, all bets are off. And boy are they ever.
What Santino wants is shocking, though not impossible. When in Rome (literally, that's where he goes to complete the mission), there's some gorgeous cinematography and a beautifully choreographed fight and chase scene very similar to Wick 1's epic club scene. Not unlike Jack Bauer, John Wick certainly knows how to use literally anything as a weapon including those muscular *ahem* his legs to snap a man's neck.
The rest of the movie John spends running (almost literally), killing everything in sight. There are some very comical scenes between Wick and Common's character, who is also ironically seeking vengeance. And lastly, the final battle scene is so visually stunning with a massive body count to boot. When Santino and Wick finally come head to head, it is absolutely shocking (for Wick's part...you'll understand what I mean if you see it) and satisfying. I was on the edge of my seat for the first 10 minutes, and finally on the ground clutching my heart and biting my nails dreading what would happen to John.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is a glorious masterpiece and should be any action fan's wet dream. If you enjoy your comedy dark and understated, your cinematography gorgeous, your characters more than one-dimensional, a fascinating fictional world, and excellent choregraphed gun play and fight scenes you will love John Wick: Chapter 2.
Absolutely no dogs were harmed in the making of this review.
Throughout the movie, the mysterious world of assassins is very intriguing showing you really never know when one is right around the corner. Are people staring at John as he walks through a subway station because he is broken and bloodied, or are they staring because they want the bounty being given for his head? There is absolutely no shortage of guns, knives, cars, grenades, or even PENCILS (yes the infamous story is true folks!). I can't wait for the inevitable Chapter 3!
