Towards the beginning of both “John Wick” and “John Wick: Chapter 2,” our eponymous protagonist is described with identical phrasing by a Russian mob boss and his brother. With eyes glazed over in terror, they both mumble that John Wick “is a man of focus, commitment, and sheer will.” In “Chapter 2,” as this dialogue is juxtaposed with John’s qualities on display in their most violent form, the tone is set for the rest of the film: John Wick hasn’t changed at his core, no matter how much he may want to. And as a sequel to the breakout hit that was 2014’s “John Wick,” that is the best news for fans of this franchise and newcomers alike.
The end of “John Wick” sees Wick on his way out of the assassin’s life for his second time, and “Chapter 2” picks up presumably right where “John Wick” left off. After brutally reclaiming his car from the Russian mob, he returns to his pastoral home with his new dog – who has no name – and a conscience relatively clean. As he begins to settle into his second attempt at a quiet secluded life, an Italian dignitary comes calling with a claim to John’s services. This sets in motion a plan of sororicide: this mobster wants his sister dead so he can claim the Camorra’s (Naples-based mafia) seat at the high council table of assassins after being passed over by his father. After more considerable damage to his home, John begrudgingly accepts, and makes for Rome to carry out the plan.
Having recently re-watched “Chapter 2” for my second viewing, what immediately stood out was director Chad Stahelski’s complete commitment to and expansion of the world set up in 2014’s first installment. The Continental Hotel – lodging for assassins – has a Rome-based branch, we discover, and it comes with extra perks. It is replete with an in-house “sommelier” (a firearms expert) and “tailor” (tactical gear fitter). These cut-between scenes of John having firearms recommended with wine speak and his tactical Kevlar-lined suit fitted in tailor-speak is not only true to the world so meticulously set up in the first film; it is also wildly entertaining, which applies to the entire film, too. The assault-on-your-senses feel of the first film is back with a vengeance in this one – and while longer at just under 2 hours, the fast pace of the plot’s movement in “Chapter 2” speeds the proceedings right up. Not a moment goes to waste.
As a long-time and successful Hollywood stuntman in his own right, director Stahelski also ups the world’s violence and fight antes wholeheartedly to great effect. He handles an impressive sequence through Rome’s dark and foggy catacombs with a steady camera following John in near first-person. Though this is more of a marathon shoot ‘em up than the bang of a bi-level club sequence from “John Wick,” its effect is only slightly diminished. Overall, his commitment to the no-holds-barred showcases of violence are brilliantly executed by the surely hundreds of stuntmen and the film’s star, Keanu Reeves.
Before speaking more on Keanu Reeves’ second performance as John Wick, the supporting cast deserves its fair share of credit, too. Ian McShane returns as Winston, the manager of New York’s Continental Hotel, and brings a playful energy fused with authoritative gravitas. He can speak matter-of-factly to John in a way nobody can and that dynamic immediately colors in any expositional gaps without too much dialogue needed. Common and Ruby Rose are menacing in their roles, too, with plenty of brooding, chasing, and expertly executed fight sequences. Lance Reddick is deadpan and wry in his turn as the Continental’s reliable front desk man. And there’s even a cameo from a former Matrix co-star of Keanu Reeves’ that gives the movie – and fans of Keanu Reeves’ career – a genuine “cool” moment.
Now, Keanu Reeves: his second turn as John Wick is a couple of steps up from his first outing. He takes us further into the deeply disturbed emotional and psychological world of John sometimes simply with a look – and he does it in a way, I am convinced, few actors can. Through some background research of my own, I came to find that his performance in the movie is nearly entirely his in that he did most of his stunts.
And, for those who have seen/will see it, you can appreciate just how incredible that statement is. He studied tactical firearms maneuvering, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu with some of the foremost minds of each, including Navy SEALs. His training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu went for hours on end for months. He lived and breathed the role of John Wick outside of filming and in between the first and second installments – and that intensity is present in every frame he appears in, which is most of them. This utter commitment to character shows in every judo throw, double shot to the head, and arm bar. Keanu Reeves’ performance in “John Wick: Chapter 2” is a showcase for his depth of acting skill: he brings understated humor, heart, and pain to make what could be a stock “troubled anti-hero” an emotionally complex character.
“John Wick: Chapter 2” is by no means a flawless film, though I feel its flaws only end up serving its strengths. More plot exposition and character development of important supporting cast members often takes a back seat to the action sequences and John Wick’s personal journey; however, to me, the action and John Wick are the two main reasons why most people show up to see this franchise. The second act, which sees John in a figurative shark tank daring him to emerge alive, is nearly worth the price of rental/admission alone with its dazzling and brutal sequences.
There are no two better reasons – action and Keanu – I can think of for you to rush to rent this before seeing “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.” As Keanu Reeves might say himself, “Yeah… it’s awesome.”
