John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum continues the excitement of the successful and impressive action franchise with groundbreaking action sequences and compelling world building with a fun cast of characters. The film once again is directed by Chad Stahelski and stars Keanu Reeves as the title character. For those who have not seen John Wick: Chapter 2, spoilers follow. The film follows the events right after the second entry, where John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run with a $14 million bounty on his head for killing a member of The High Table, an international assassin’s guild. The first two John Wick movies are astonishing examples of the way action movies should be made. It is filmed in long takes with creative choreography where the action is clearly shown. The incredible action that this franchise is known for is once again evident in John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum, with it having the most visceral and exhilarating action of the entire franchise.
A John Wick movie would be nothing without over-the-top well choreographed action, and the action sequences in this third entry were the best of all three films. Stahelski once again brings his experience of being a stunt coordinator, stunt double and second unit director in Hollywood for years, to this film by creating brutal, bare-knuckle action sequences that are astonishingly well filmed with outstanding choreography. The action in this film is the most ambitious it has ever been in terms of its choreography, stunt-work and camerawork. Stahelski, the stunt team, and everyone else involved definitely deserve a lot of praise for the groundbreaking action that is on display. The action, as mentioned before is shot in long takes which provides a lot more excitement to the action because what is happening on screen is actually visible and comprehendible, rather than it being presented through shaky cam and quick cuts. Stahelski and company actually put a lot of time and energy to create action that is exciting and fun to watch where you feel the intensity from every action that a character makes, and their hard work shows and pays off. It being shot in long takes is also proof that Keanu Reeves and all the other actors are performing many of their own stunts, which makes the action all the more authentic. It would be very hard to believe that anyone would be disappointed by the action in this movie. Just as you think one action sequence is the most insane, brutal and creative it could be, the next tops it, and the same goes for the one after that. My favorite action sequence in the movie was one in which John Wick is involved in a motorcycle chase with ninjas. Without giving too much away, the sheer creativity, unbelievable choreography and amazing camerawork in this sequence brought me much excitement, and is everything I want from a John Wick film.
Not only do these films have incredible action, they also have very interesting world building revolving around the High Table and its whole society of assassins that John Wick is a part of. The second film in the franchise really started to expand on the world introduced in the first film. This film continues that expansion where you learn even more interesting details about the High Table, as well as John Wick as a character. The world that co-writer of the film and creator of the franchise, Derek Kolstad has created is one that is engaging to spend time in and learn more about in this entry. An aspect of these movies that I believe is not discussed enough and not given enough credit is its exceptional cinematography. Director of Photography, Dan Laustsen’s genius lighting techniques and use of color in this movie brilliantly establishes its tone and narrative. While Manhattan is a real place, the visual aesthetic that Stahelski and Laustsen create makes Manhattan feel very much only part of the world of John Wick, and provides a visually splendid presentation of the historic city. Every shot in this film is beautifully lit with a variety of different colors in neon that makes the film much more immersive and adds more to the already amazing action sequences.
While having the best action in the franchise, as well as excellent world building, this movie does suffer from some story issues. The character of Sofia (Halle Berry) felt as though she was in the film more as a set-up for future films where she will be featured more prevalent in the story. Berry was fantastic as this character (as she always is), especially in the action sequences, and her character was a nice addition to the world of John Wick, but Stahelski and the screenwriters did not do a good enough job in establishing why she needed to be in this movie. Their was reasoning for it, but I do not think it justified her character being in the movie, rather than for the sake of setting up future movies. Their was another new character added in this film, the Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon), who was not very compelling. This is not Dillon’s fault by any means: she is good in the movie, but just does not have the best character to work with. Whenever the film has scenes that focus on her character, the pacing suffers because of it, due to her character being forced into the story, with nothing all that interesting about her to be engaged in.
Overall, John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum is a worthy addition to the amazing action franchise with some of the best action in all of the movies, and once again proves why Keanu Reeves is one of the best action stars working today. It does have some story and character issues, but still has compelling world building much like the previous two movies. Despite some story and character issues here and there, this is everything we want from an action film. It has epic action sequences that are expertly directed and choreographed, and that are filmed in long takes with amazing stunt-work, and a likable character that is played by a likable actor giving a great performance. The John Wick franchise continues to be one of the best, if not the best, action franchise in cinema currently.
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