Film Review: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 (2023): Fast-Paced Action Sequel Will Leave Audiences Breathless

John Wick: Chapter 4 Review

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) Film Review, a movie directed by Chad Stahelski, written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch and starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou, Lance Reddick, Clancy Brown, Ian McShane, Marko Zaror, Bill Skarsgard, Donnie Yen, Aimee Kwan, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Yoshinori Tashiro and Milena Rendon.

Keanu Reeves is back as John Wick, the man of few words who seems to have an unlimited lifeline in director Chad Stahelski’s relentless action picture sequel, John Wick: Chapter 4. This is one movie that simply does not let up for its two-hour and forty-nine minute running time. The film’s most crowd-pleasing moments are found in the movie’s second half although there are some fight scenes early on that do whet the appetite for the sequences that are forthcoming. This movie is best described in a single word: Intense.

Although it starts in Japan with great efficiency, this movie defines its overall tone in one breathtaking scene of Wick tumbling down several stairs and emerging pretty much unscathed. Reeves’ Wick is the quintessential action hero. It sometimes feels like Stahelski has pretty much created the definitive action movie because of the breakneck pace and the overall look and feel of the movie is the stuff epic action/adventure movies are made of. Too bad, the movie becomes so cartoon-like and so over-the-top in spots that one can only like this movie a whole lot. It misses the mark for greatness but it’s nevertheless one hell of a ride that will leave audiences gasping for breath.

“Loving husband.” That’s what our hero states he would write on his tombstone in a key scene in the new picture. Yes, Wick is a man of great sensitivity who knows how to kick ass just like it’s his primary profession. He is doing what he does for a reason, though. That reason could be love or vengeance, take your pick based on the events of the picture. Wick eventually has a huge bounty put on his life. There’s a reward of millions and millions of dollars to take out Wick and no matter how many people try to kill him, Wick doesn’t die. And, the audience probably wouldn’t want it any other way. Pity the fools who pursue killing Wick.

In the beginning stages, one scene with Wick kicking butt at a club will definitely reel the viewer in if they are new to John Wick movie territory. A very appropriate song, “Nowhere to Run,” plays on the soundtrack in a central moment in the movie followed by fight scenes that are intensified by the precise cinematography and tight editing. The movie excels significantly as it gets near the Eiffel Tower in France. Every moment following that late point in the movie will keep the viewer on the edge of the seat as the fighting scenes are simply choreographed to perfection.

Laurence Fishburne, as Bowery King, is perfect as the movie’s comic relief but this character is also an integral part of the story line. King provides Wick with his suit and a selected piece of weaponry in yet another crowd pleasing moment in the picture. This movie knows no limits and there’s no turning back for Wick this time out.

For John Wick movie newbies, The High Table is a ring of crime lords that is headed up by The Elder (George Georgiou). Wick eventually fights several people in standoffs that could remind one of old-time Western movies. This film’s ending scenes consist of a series of signature show-stoppers which highlight Wick’s ability to fearlessly confront those villains. They key to Wick’s ultimate happiness, though, may surprise viewers.

The supporting players are all top-notch. Donnie Yen is fantastic as the character Caine who is Wick’s ally initially but their bond will be tested by the events that transpire throughout this movie. However, the film also has a long list of character actors each of whom add some appeal to the film as a whole. Shamier Anderson’s “Tracker” character, Bill Skarsgard’s baddie, Marquis, and, above all, Ian McShane’s Winston all shine as colorful, lively characters in the action labyrinth that is John Wick: Chapter 4.

For all this movie does right, it takes a misstep towards the end which is almost as bad as Wick’s character’s tumbling down the stairs in the picture. That’s because of a major decision made by the filmmakers which I was ultimately a bit disappointed by. Still, Reeves, as the man with few words who can defeat the villains just like a video game hero, is perfect here. He makes the audience root for Wick throughout. It’s hard to believe Reeves, the actor, is actually pushing 60-years in age.

Stay seated as the credits roll at the end because there’s an after-credits sequence that will be worth the wait for die-hard John Wick fans. it may sound like there are some problems with this film overall, though, that hold it back from greatness and there are. This picture is way too long with unnecessary close ups of characters who seem to progress the plot but, unfortunately, only do so occasionally. You could have easily trimmed a half hour here and cut out one or two characters.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is a movie that could be deemed a masterpiece if one singles out the sound effects editing and the visual effects but the film as a whole, could have used more complexity in its story line but that’s not what this series is about. This franchise, as fans well know, requires suspension of disbelief to win over its audience. Total enjoyment of this latest movie also depends on having seen the other 3 pictures. This is not a film which will be wholly successful as a stand-alone movie. It’s technically proficient and exciting to watch nevertheless.

Reeves is said to have a role in the upcoming spin-off of this series, Ballerina, just in case you feel a bit cheated by the new picture’s ending. If you’re a big John Wick fan (and I am), nothing negative can be said that would prevent one from getting a rise out of Reeves fighting his foes one after another at lightning speed. It’s all in great fun and it’s still a very good picture.

Rating: 7.5/10

Leave your thoughts on this John Wick: Chapter 4 review and the film below in the comments section. Readers seeking to support this type of content can visit our Patreon Page and become one of FilmBook’s patrons. Readers seeking more film reviews can visit our Movie Review Page, our Movie Review Twitter Page, and our Movie Review Facebook Page. Want up-to-the-minute notifications? FilmBook staff members publish articles by Email, Feedly, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, Reddit, Telegram, and Flipboard.