Under the lens takes a deep look at films and TV by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture or episode that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) was a motion picture directed by Chad Stahelski and stars Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Halle Berry, and Mark Dacascos as the primary villain Zero. The picture picks up moments after the 2nd installment and sees John Wick on the run from the high table with a $14 million dollar price tag on his head. The picture sees Wick hunted by assassins all over the world as he seeks help finding the invisible “Elder” of the high table and the only man who can remove his bounty. Along the way, Wick meets many friends and foes and we the viewer discover more about the lore of this universe.
Under The Lens: Lore and Runtime
Lore: The lore of the world of John Wick is the now trilogies greatest asset and weakness at the same time, each picture has built upon the last establishing the rules and players of the world of the high table and continental hotels. I for one love good world-building and the Wick franchise has, for the most part, built it up well. However, the lore started to leave the realm of reality and enter fantasy in Chapter 3. As I said the picture handles the lore well, so I won’t say its a negative, however, if more lore is introduced in the 4th picture, there is the possibility that the franchise will begin to stumble under its load.
Runtime: John Wick 3’s major issues arise with its runtime which clocks in at 131 minutes or 2 hours and 11 minutes. While this may not seem terribly long the issue that comes into play is the style of picture that John Wick 3 is. By its nature, it’s an action-heavy picture that showcases elaborate action set pieces. While these are spectacular and wonderfully choreographed they come at breakneck speed, and there are very little non-action scenes between them with the audience left to figure out the plot in between short conversations. The runtime became an issue in the third act climax when we are subjected to 4 different action set pieces, all of them are great, but they come at such a pace that one is tired by the time that the main climatic fight comes around. It’s like a delicious steak dinner, one won’t enjoy it as much if to many appetizers are served first. Had the third act cut the action set pieces by half I think it would have been a tighter more enjoyable experience.
Highlights
Seeing the overseas Continental Hotels was very interesting, as it broadened the universe without much exposition.
We got a small section that dealt with Wick’s background as a Romani, this was fascinating and I would have liked more of this story.
Mark Dacascos as the primary villain Zero was a treat, not only were his fight scenes good, but he was a fun villain who honestly was a fanboy of John Wick and loved fighting him.
Something to think about
Who is your favorite John Wick villain and why?
Conclusion
Overall John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) was a great action movie that pushed the franchise forward. That being said an overuse of action made the action in the third act a bit exhausting. The ending sets up a truly epic next chapter while also closing the book on the first trilogy of John Wick stories.
