'John Wick: Chapter 2' Review

John Wick: Chapter 2 picks up relatively soon after the end of John Wick as John Wick seeks to return to his normal life. Of course that's impossible for men of Wick's talents, so he's dragged back into the fold to repay a debt. A bounty is then placed on Wick and he finds himself in the fight of his life. 

2016 put forth many sequels that no-one wanted and no-one liked, with Star Trek Beyond or Captain America: Civil War standing as the only two sequels that worked in last year's desolate blockbuster wasteland to come to mind. Thankfully, John Wick: Chapter 2 is a sequel that's justified on the merits of the excellent underbelly assassin world-building done in John Wick alone. Chad Stahelski, working solo this time, takes full reigns of the franchise and proves he's quite capable of bearing the full weight of an action blockbuster on his own as he ups the scale of the action sequences.

Stahelski goes for bigger and better but doesn't ignore the importance of the refined intimate "gun-fu" fighting style that made the first so popular. Working alongside cinematographer Dan Lausten, the neon glow and subtle nightlight are properly utilized in framing exceptional action. One thing the Wick franchise should definitely be credited for is its persistence not to resort to shaky-cam but rather show long well-handled takes of brutal hand-to-hand combat and gun escapades. This time around the action set pieces include Roman catacombs, public venues, and a labyrinth of mesmerizing mirrors, each set piece featuring a memorable action sequence or two.

John Wick: Chapter 2 could have easily become virtually a rehash of the original but writer Derek Kolstad manages to think of a way to bring Wick back into the mix that works for the purpose of the film but isn't quite as emotionally driven as the first. Kolstad does however recoup for this by fleshing out more of the mercenary lifestyle; throwing tailors, arms dealers, and accountants into the mix. Practically everything beloved regarding the original is deservedly amplified and further explored to the appropriate extent.

The cast includes a mix of returning characters and fresh faces that put full commitment into the bullet bonanza. Keanu Reeves' portrayal of John Wick as a weary action hero compliments the narrative perfectly. Reeves' silence in some scenes almost speaks louder than words and his physical commitment to the role is virtually unchallenged by actors today, excluding perhaps Tom Cruise. Reeves manages to invest audiences in an unequivocal killing machine by gifting Wick a touch of humanity.

Ian McShane returns as Continental Hotel owner Winston, serving as a source of support for Wick, and Laurence Fishburne shows up for a Matrix reunion as the Bowery King, chewing up as much scenery as possible along the way. Common and Ruby Rose provide suitable physical threats, portraying private bodyguard Cassian and mute hit woman Ares respectively, each trading blows in visceral hand-to-hand combat against Wick. Meanwhile, Riccardo Scamarcio's Italian crime lord Santino D'Antonio serves to be a multifaceted antagonist with understandable motivations and clear intentions.

In conclusion, John Wick: Chapter 2 succeeds in an avenue few action sequels ever achieve. It raises both stakes and spectacle without losing sight of the components that made the first one so great. I wouldn't say it's definitively better, but it's at least as good as the first and does succeed in the merits of pulling off bigger action. One can only hope that a third chapter gets off the ground to see if Stahelski, Reeves, and crew can raise the bar any higher.

Film Assessment: A-