Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
John Wick Chapter 2 is a action thriller from director Chad Stahelski and stars Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane. It is a direct sequel to the breakout hit of 2014 John Wick. The plot follows Wick after returning to the criminal underworld to repay a debt, John Wick discovers that a large bounty has been put on his life.
Under The Lens: World-building and Stylized World
World-building: John Wisk Chapter 2 has a good story, and the success of the plot is due to the picture naturally building on the narrative structure of the first installment. So many pictures put aside plot and sacrifice the characters in order to build the world around them, however, John Wick 2 naturally weaves the world-building into the plot and the viewer sees the world built as we journey alongside the hero and villains. Once the credits roll we get a very good idea about what kind of world we are going to be exploring in part three based on the actions and subsequent consequences of our heroes and villains choices.
Stylized World: an interesting aspect of the John Wick motion pictures was the choice to place them in a hyper-stylized world, one that looks and feels like our own but clearly exists in a differing universe than the one we currently reside in. The world of John wick feels like a neon graphic novel come to life, its locations and universe are full of colorful villains, grey heroes and a city brimming with hitmen and hitwomen. It treads the line of not being a full-on comic book but also not quite a realistic action picture either, its where a gunfight can break out at a rock concert and the revilers will keep on partying.
Highlights
The concert gunfight is a very well shot and full of great stunts
Common plays his role well and is a great counterpoint to John Wick
The picture contains a fantastic cliffhanger ending
Something to think about
Do you prefer your action pictures to be more realistic or stylistic?
Conclusion
Overall John Wick: Chapter 2 does what most sequels are expected to, up the stakes and excitement from the first, its characters are even larger than life, its villains evil and its heroes morally grey and flawed. The picture has excellent world-building and exciting action spectacles, Reeves once again shows us why we loved him in the Matrix, delivering a role that allows him to delve into his character while also being the action hero we want him to be. John Wick: Chapter 2 is a fun time to be had, and one that is best seen with a group of friends on the big screen.
