The original John Wick gave us a peak at a world; at rules, traditions, and plenty of interesting characters. Chapter Two gives us more guns, more fights, and it gives us the coolness in spades. It also begins to pull that curtain back further, given us more information on the machinations that these shadowy people are part of.
John returning to world he’d managed to escape has put him back on people’s radars. “Baba Yaga” cannot be easily forgotten, so retirement is no longer an option. If John wasn’t already back, he sure is now!
John now has a new task, and a lot of prep work to do. Chapter 2 revels in this process, taking time to show the people John knows and what he needs to perform another impossible feat. From Cartographers to armourers to tailors, the film is studious in showing everything come together. And most importantly, the dog is looked after.
The attention to detail is extremely pleasing. An interrupted reload prompting a switch in weapon or a press check on a pistol adds interesting wrinkles to fights. Most films wouldn’t even consider these moments. But to John Wick, and me, they’re moments that cement this as a franchise I’d love to see more of.
These films aren’t really about the villain, but on more recent rewatches I’ve found myself appreciating them more. In a world full of terrible acts, they aren’t really bad guys, just the next person putting John in a situation. Common’s fellow Assassin is suitably cool, though it’s again Ian McShane and Lance Reddick who stand out as supporting characters. ‘Excommunicado’ is a very cool word indeed.
John Wick: Chapter 2 cleanly double tapped my expectations.
My review for the first film.
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