‘John Wick’ delivers yet another chapter of amazing action in stellar ‘Parabellum’

Posted on May 24, 2019

By MARK VIOLA

Simply put, 2014’s “John Wick” is one of the most entertaining action films of the last five years. It is also one of the best shot, best choreographed and most stylish action films over the same period, with the only movie to top it being “Mad Max: Fury Road” and the only one to even come close being “John Wick: Chapter 2.”

The first film set the stage, giving us a glimpse into the world of its title assassin, John Wick (Keanu Reeves), who once escaped the scene, but was dragged back in for a journey of revenge. That film was clean and efficient, never wasting a moment or a camera shot as John mows his way through countless goons in extremely entertaining action sequences.

The second film built on that foundation, showcasing the greater world of assassins, complete with its own currency, its own code of honor, even its own version of holy ground. It also showed those pulling the strings who make the rules and ruthlessly enforce them.

It is the last aspect that comes into play in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” as John must deal with the repercussions of his breaking a cardinal rule at the end of “Chapter 2.” In fact, this film picks up only 15 to 20 minutes after the end of the last one.

If you’re a fan of the first two movies, don’t worry, “Chapter 3” lives up to the standard set by those earlier films, complete with further developing the world of assassins while also boasting some amazing action sequences. And at 54, Reeves continues to prove that he is nigh immortal as he performs most of his own stunts, many of which are shown in camera. Both he and Tom Cruise in his “Mission: Impossible” movies put everybody else to shame.

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