As the clock counts down on John Wick’s excommunicado bounty, the tension could not be more palpable. A wounded Wick stumbles his way throughout the neon-infused underbelly of Manhattan, and one can’t help but subconsciously feel the ticking of a clock primed to strike at midnight as the assassin finds himself in the crosshairs of every loaded gun in the city.
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If this were any other hitman, we’d be terrified for his life, but as the previous two films illustrate, John Wick not your typical hitman, at all. And as Ian McShane’s Winston says, “A $14 million bounty on his head and everyone in the city wants a piece of it? I’d say the odds are about even.” And so “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” begins, with Keanu Reeves’s unstoppable killer claiming his first victim (using nothing more than a book), strapping us in for a wild ride. The stage is set for a high octane utterly badass and bulletproof adrenaline rush that ranks as the series’ finest installment.
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When a $14 million contract is posted following the events of “John Wick: Chapter 2,” Mr. Wick (Reeves) must battle his way through endless assassins in an attempt to escape New York City. With the help of Sofia (Halle Berry) and Winston (McShane), the legendary hitman seeks to dismantle the order he once served and reclaim his life.
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Director Chad Stahelski and the stunt team have truly outdone themselves in ‘Chapter 3,’ staging some of the most creative and elaborate action set pieces the ‘Wick’ films have seen thus far. You can be damn sure audiences everywhere will be losing their minds over the exhilarating compound assault that features Berry and her deadly dogs. Not only does Berry shine in this sequence – giving her best performance in years matching the skill, intensity, and intricacy of Reeves’s choreography – but the sheer amount of moving parts in play is jaw-dropping. From attack dogs maneuvering through endless obstacles, to the fluidity of Berry and Reeves’s takedowns, to the signature ‘Wick’-ian gun-fu that that the franchise has become iconic for, every piece of this labyrinthine thrill ride is executed to perfection making for one of the most captivating and explosive action scenes in recent memory.
While that particular beat is a massive standout, the action as a whole is nothing short of visceral as the visuals never cease to captivate, and the set pieces have been dialed up to 11 pitting Reeves against his greatest challenges thus far. On top of everything, there are even several one-take action scenes, which just feel like Stahelski and his crew are showing off, at this point.
For ‘Parabellum,’ it quickly becomes apparent that the filmmaker drew inspiration from classic martial arts films, as many hand-to-hand fight sequences are featured prominently in this third chapter. The end result became somewhat lyrical, as the striking visuals and sophisticated skirmishes paired with immersive sound design and operatic music amount to a thing of beauty. Stahelski and cinematographer Dan Laustsen bring so much artistry to the look and aesthetic of ‘Parabellum,’ utilizing the entirety of the canvas to emphasize the precision of the combat. Evoking the feel of neo-noir, with such vibrant colors and distinct lighting, “John Wick” Chapter 3’s” visual palette doubles down on the atmospheric nature of ‘Chapter 2,’ ultimately elevating the film’s overall appearance to the next level.
Of course, ‘John Wick’ films certainly aren’t known for deep stories and, for some, ‘Parabellum’ may come across as a series of expertly choreographed fight scenes with a barebones plot only there to extend the run-time. Is this criticism wrong? Not really. However, what little depth is brought to the table, in ‘Chapter 3,’ is rather interesting as the film simultaneously continues to expand upon its unique and alluring lore. Similar to ‘Chapter 2,’ the new entry in the franchise continues to showcase the reach and inner workings of the assassin order offering up a globe-trotting adventure that doubles as a modern-day version of the “Assassin’s Creed” video game franchise. The film introduces even more figures from John’s past giving us a peek under the armor of his life before settling down, and in doing so, helps to texturize the character, even if it’s just a tad.
Berry is joined by two new major characters in ‘Parabellum,’ with varying degrees of success. While usually a stand out in many of their previous roles, Asia Kate Dillon’s the Adjudicator felt a bit stilted and sadly functioned more as a plot device than an actual character. And Mark Dacascos’ Zero (the primary assassin hunting John) proved to be a charismatic, yet intimidating, adversary, whose admiration for John made for some welcomed comedic beats while still highlighting Dacascos’ prowess in martial arts.
“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” is a sure-fire hit and continues the momentum set forth by the previous installments only to surpass them with explosive energy. Stahelski continues to entrench audiences in the vast world of the assassin mythos, while crafting a stunning and distinct visual atmosphere that pulls the trigger on captivating action spectacle. The choreography and set pieces are extravagant and pulse-pounding, marking an all-time high for a series that has already redefined action for a new generation. Now, three incredibly rock-solid entries in, there’s no jumping the gun, ‘John Wick’ has confidently cemented itself as one of the great action franchises. [B+]