John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) Review

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

John Wick: Chapter 2 follows John Wick, who, after honoring a high level blood oath, has a hit put on him by the very man who contracted him to kill in the first place. 

Where the first John Wick’s story burned from a worthy tale of revenge following the murder of his dog (the last present from his deceased wife) and the stealing of his car, I’m still trying to place where this one stems from. Whatever it is, it’s fun as hell and exactly the kind of brain detox I needed after the spectacle that was The Batman. With the sequel, we get a John, who, after the events of the first, is ready to hang it up again and slip back into his peaceful retirement. Everyone knows however, once you’re back, it’s hard to get out twice, prompting Santino D’Antonio, the man to thank for John’s retirement in the first place, to call on him one last time. One refused blood oath later though, John has no choice but to carry out D’Antonio’s mission—to kill his sister, causing a chain reaction that leads to John murdering his way through Rome and New York just to get back on Santino. 

Maybe it’s just the time in-between watching the first and second, but for me, the action almost feels toned back for this film, with John getting his ass kicked a little more than usual but with a story that, for obvious reasons, isn’t really as impactful. As Winston puts it, “You should’ve just walked away”, as John’s tale of revenge this time around, while warranted, just lacks any real substance, aside from some thoroughly intense action. 

We get a pretty tight cast, starring Claudia Gerini, Lance Reddick, Ruby Rose, Laurence Fishburne, Common, Ian McShane, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Keanu Reeves. Reeves, once again, is a killing machine on wheels, demonstrating his ability as a straight-up action actor in his stunts and gun work, though his age is starting to show a little (or maybe he’s just got the shit kicked out of him for two straight movies, who knows).

John Wick: Chapter 2, directed by Chad Stahelski, isn’t quite as investing as it's predecessor, but regardless, manages to be a worthy and exciting sequel that builds on a fascinating, elaborate world while still maintaining the non-stop action that made the first film so great. 

8/10