John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Review

130min

Genre:       Action, Crime, Thriller

Director:    Chad Stahelski

Cast:         Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane…and more

Writers:     Derek Kolstad, Shay Hatten, Chris Collins…and more

-Synopsis-

On the run after being excommunicated from ‘The Continental’ for breaking a sacred rule and spilling blood on the underground institution’s floor—thereby activating a huge global bounty on his head from the powerful ‘High Table’—the master hitman plunges into the past and uses all his skills to survive the reckoning, in this third instalment of the popular all-action series.

They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and considering the unlikely success of this stuntastic series, director Chad Stahelski was never going to veer from a winning formula of creative and graphic fights and action sequences, combined with thinly-drawn over-the-top archetypal characters, and an even thinner story. Instead the stuntman extraordinaire-turned-director goes global and bigger; bringing more stars, fights, stunts and a bigger dose of black humour to the party . . . and of course more dogs—delivering arguably the best film in the series thus far, and a head-shooting tale of “rules and consequences”.

Keanu Reeves returns as the man in black ‘John Wick’, facing the consequences of his actions through the wrath of crime-lord council the High Table and their ‘Adjudicator’ (Asia Kate Dillon), as does The Continental boss ‘Winston’ (Ian McShane) and others who aided him, as he re-unites with ‘Sofia’ (Halle Berry) and other shadowy figures from the past to try and chart a treacherous course towards redemption—but he’ll have to go through the most fearsome assassins alive to get there.

If you’re watching a ‘John Wick’ movie, you’re in it for the pure unadulterated action, and as far as pure action/thrillers go, this series is one of the better to come out of Hollywood in recent years. Combining the creativity and daring of foreign film and in particular Asian cinema over the last two decades, with American big bucks and execution, plus pulling stylistic and cultural references from across the spectrum. And the third chapter in the series sticks to its many, many guns, delivering incredibly skilled, brutal and occasionally unexpectedly comical fight sequences, and some impressive action set-pieces, while taking them beyond New York city to far-flung locales—where cinematographer Dan Laustsen (Crimson Peak, The Shape of Water) vividly and richly captures them all.

It’s easy to forget when watching these films that you’re witnessing a near fifty-five-year-old actor excelling in action and stunt work which would shatter most men half his age. And Reeves is in rare form here, adding to the Machado Brothers high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu from the second film, and combining it with an already impressive repertoire of striking, knife fighting and close quarters gun play—the combination of which made the series a hit in the first place. Not only has Reeves become an expert at delivering a beating, but also in taking one, at times channelling Harrsion Ford’s signature ornery veteran who’s tired of this s**t, yet remaining every inch the legendary underworld boogeyman . . . or “Baba Yaga”.

Meanwhile fellow ageless fifty-something star Halle Berry is equally impressive and game for everything, particularly in terms of weapon handling and the work with her majestic canine co-stars, in what is by far her most physical role to date. They’re both flanked by an array of talent on solid form doing their best with underwritten characters, including returning charismatic veterans Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne, plus expert martial artist Mark Dacascos as a fearsome yet awkwardly creepy new villain, and Asia Kate Dillon as the arrogant and unflappable face of the High Table.

Much like the other two films in the franchise, ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ is far from a true action/thriller masterpiece, and in the grand scheme of things it’s not a particularly great film, riddled with underwritten clichéd characters who ham it up along the way, and unfolding along a ridiculous storyline which feels like it was inspired by a workmanlike comic book, rather than the reality of the other way around.

Yet even more so than its predecessors, this threequel doesn’t take itself too seriously and is determined to thrill and entertain—and in those terms it’s certainly mission accomplished. ‘Parabellum’ stylishly delivers splendid, incredibly skilled and practical action with minimal, virtually imperceptible CGI, grabbing the audience by the back of the neck and not letting go for over two hours. Leaving most other modern Hollywood action films in the dust, while making you fall in love with brutal hitman, and leaving you eagerly awaiting what the future holds for him.

The Bottom Line…

A ridiculous and over-the-top, bold and stylish all-action romp which pulls no punches but doesn’t take itself too seriously, ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’ opts to go big rather than go home, upping the body count and the blood budget while sticking to the simple ass-kicking formula which separates this series from much of the modern Hollywood action film pack, while adding another feather to Mr. Reeves’ impressive near fifty-five-year-old cap.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

John Wick (2014)

A retired legendary assassin mourning for his dead wife is forced back into action when Russian gangsters take the last thing in the world that he holds dear, as Keanu Reeves stars as ‘John Wick’ in this high-octane all-action revenge thriller from stuntman turned director Chad Stahelski.

Directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist and Willem Dafoe among others.

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