Review of John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) by Andrewburge — 27 Jul 2018

Chad Stahelsky returns back to the director's seat for 'John Wick: Chapter 2'. At this point for an action flick this could have gone either really bad or really well. Luckily, 'Chapter 2' not only respects the dark and serious aesthetic of the original film, it builds on it and is better in every way.

Like the first film, this also starts hard with an action scene in which John attempts to recover his car (or rather the picture in it with his dead wife) from some Russian mobsters. Yet, unlike the first film, this is less personal, focusing more on the inner workings of the criminal underworld. A world marked with complex rules and principles.

There is no rest for John Wick, though, the premise starting when an Italian mobster, Santino, asks him to kill his sister. That takes him to Rome, where he has a friendly discussion with an old friend who asks him with a worried look: "Are you here for the Pope?". John offers a negative answer. This might seem funny at first, but actually this goes to show what a legendary status Wick has built up among his peers. He is constantly praised for his skills and he is feared. When he gets to his target there is a party happening among the ruins of Rome. This has a symbolic meaning. It goes to show the historical influence and power this criminal underworld has. There were secrets and shadowy politics governed in the past among these now ruined walls.

The most powerful scene in the film comes when John finally meets his target. Santino's sister does not put up a fight. She knows Wick's reputation, she respects him and realizes that he cannot be stopped. Yet she dies her own way, by cutting her wrists and pondering at the afterlife. "Do you fear damnation, John?". After Wick's positive response she claims: "I always thought I could escape it." as she gives her final breath. Unfortunately, for all its aesthetic and deep beauty, its a bit pointless.

From here on, things take a turn for the worst for The Boogeyman, as Wick is known, but the action scenes are still one of the best I've seen. John Wick is a man of few words but many actions (like this film to be honest). It is still a satisfying and entertaining action flick, but is polished by visceral imagery and a gripping soundtrack.