I know. Trust me, I know. Do ya really think I’d be so oblivious to the fact that I have this tendency to be a seemingly ceaseless cesspool of cynicism and negativity? Give me a modicum of credit, jeez. In the spirit of trying to turn things a bit more positive, let’s talk about a film I actually like, yeah? Let’s talk John Wick, Chapter 3: Parabellum.
The first John Wick was a welcome sight in the world of contemporary action flicks: a flurry of hard-hitting fight scenes – that were intelligible, no less! – set amidst a fascinating world of underground, classy assassins. We were tantalized with tidbits of this underworld and allowed to salivate over the possibilities we weren’t yet privy to. The second installment expanded this strange world, exploring further depths of the rules and sending our boy John on ever-increasingly dangerous missions. Everything’s been stylish, insanely well-executed, and as entertaining as action flicks can get.
Our newest entry sees Mr. Wick reeling from the events of the previous film, excommunicated from the assassin’s guild (for lack of a better word for it at the moment) and running for his life. As the High Table sends legions of goons at him, he’s forced to keep fighting and fighting, plenty of great bloodshed. But he’s not the only one feeling the ramifications of his prior acts: Winston, manager of the Continental, and the King of the Bowery find their feet to the coals as well. Insert plenty of bullets flying and fists a-wheelin’.
As per usual, the action is top-notch, with Chad Stohelski’s direction keeping the camera at a comfortable distance from the fighting, allowing for every landed punch, kick, and shot to be easily seen and followed, even in low lighting, darkness, and harsh silhouette. Evan Schiff’s editing provides the necessary support, ensuring constant comprehensibility throughout, a rarity in these dark days of rapid-fire editing (often covering for actors’ lack of martial abilities (lookin’ at you, Finn Jones!)). Much of the overt stylization – the neon lighting, the esoteric locations – is absent here, but there’s still enough to make things work and look interesting. Keanu’s still got that greasy, dour, taciturn charm going, and he continues to propel the series; meanwhile, Ian McShane continues to ooze charisma, his best scene featuring him merely sitting about with John’s dog and a snifter of what I can only assume is the finest cognac, looking smoothly smug the whole time. Fantastic.
There are some bumps along the way here, though. As the mythos surrounding the High Table expands, it gets to be harder and harder to believe they act in the shadows or on the periphery, as so many people seem to be either involved in their nefarious affairs or are somehow able to blithely ignore the violence surrounding them (there’s a kill in the middle of what may or may not be Grand Central (I’m from the Midwest, I can’t tell the difference), and no one bats an eye at all). I dig Asia Kate Dillon’s Adjudicator bit, and they handle it very well, but it makes me wonder how many there are and if their identifying coin can be stolen or counterfeited. Halle Berry’s character initially rubbed me the wrong way, her apparent skills seemingly diminishing John Wick’s by being so overtly amazing, but I warmed up to that aspect, understanding that you likely couldn’t rise up the Table ladder without having some killing ability. Plus, she’s got a pair of badass Malinois following her around, so that’s a plus. That being said, Berry’s over-doing it here, forcing the badassery forward, something everyone notices and never takes seriously (remember when she won an Oscar?).
Any minor things aside, though, this entry shows that I could pretty much accept this as a sort of serial film series, following the bloody escapades of the title character as he plies his trade around the world and interacts with the High Table and all of the services afforded thereby. It’s a great action showcase, and if you enjoyed the previous entries, you’ll enjoy this one. We need for action films like this, Hollywood, seriously.
Allusions of Grandeur 