John Wick 4 (2023)
Dir: Chad Stahelski
Writes: Shay Hatten; Michael Finch; Derek Kolstad
Starring: Keanu Reeves; Laurence Fishburne; George Georgiou; Ian Mcshane; Bill Skarsgard
by Paul Bernardo paulieb2003@gmail.com
Chad and Keanu have been doing stunts together since the original Matrix in 1999. Chad started as Keanu’s stunt double then worked his way up to stunt coordinator and now directing one of the biggest film franchises in history. This film has the style and look of the original Matrix, and the same kind of fell. Obviously the story is different, but it’s like taking all the Matrix action scenes, and putting them into one film, John Wick.
John Wick 4 is nothing short of revolutionary. They have upped the ante once again and have started doing some extremely cool things with this franchise. One of them is an overhead camera, one shot, going from room to room with exquisitely timed stunts that just take your breathe away. Looking at this film, you can not think of a Fred Astaire movie or a Gene Kelly movie. The timing of so many people involved, with such precision, with practical effects going off all around them. One single second too early or too late the entire scene is ruined. This is just stunts at its absolute best. I sat there with a smile on my face the entire time. The minute you think you’re about to be bored with all the killing – Chad films it in a brand new, never before seen or done way that just blows your mind. It’s poetic, it’s dance, it’s art, it’s very entertaining.
Let me be clear – this film is not just a stunt demo. Although if it was, it would still be magnificent. This story is really well thought out, with a brilliant twist in the end. They style, the wardrobe is absolutely fantastic. Capes, Kimonos, super high end quality French suits, old fashioned suits, new emo suits – I mean this film is a grand culmination of all that came before it. The style, the stunts, remind me most of Matrix, which both Chad and Keanu were schooled in. These two forgot about all the existentialism and just focused on stunts, fashion, and good storytelling, and they have created a brilliant movie that is fun to look at and surprises you as well.
With all this incredible choreography – Chad changes weapons often. Keanu actually uses nun-chucks, and heavy shotguns that actually explode upon impact. So you have guys literally hit with fire on their chests as Keanu makes his way through the maze. This stuff is just unbelievable. It is shot in such long shots, that you don’t get a headache, you don’t get confused. You can see what’s going on, and appreciate the dance. Most films use quick cuts to avoid us seeing the action and the stunts. These guys put it all on full display, and it is glorious.
Another great thing they added for this movie – kevlar suits. So all their suits are now bullet proof. So hitting them in the chest, shoulder, leg, only knocks them down. Keanu has to hit them in the throat or face, for a kill, making hand to hand combat almost necessary. The thrills just keep on coming. Different forces, different factions fight differently and have different armor. Some have bullet proof suits, others complete armor, others nothing at all. So each scene is completely different and each dance is artistically unique.
One amazing scene takes place in Osaka, Japan. Bows and arrows galore – but not just any bows and arrows. These steel arrows go right through concrete!! These things are fast and fierce and pierce through the kevlar suits. You can see why they are used, and it is just pure joy to watch. Axes, big guns, small guns, machine guns – all are used – but with purpose. Each weapon is for a purpose. Which makes this film all that much smarter. Every weapon is thought out, every attack is thought out, every kill is enhanced and amazing.
I mean there is a whole new world these guys have opened up and it’s absolutely brilliant!!
Aside from the brilliant choreography and stunts and practical fx, there is the acting. Chad did not skimp on this at all. Fishburne and Ian bring their A game and are just phenomenal. They light up the screen every time they appear.
A great newcomer to the series is Skarsgard as The Marquis – who reminds us a lot of The Merovingian from The Matrix Reloaded played by Lambert Wilson. Skarsgard plays a prominent French man and does a terrific job. His suits are jaw-dropping, his delivery is fabulous. All the actors here are very well casted and are tremendous.
This fourth installment of a film franchise would be and should be absolutely mundane and boring. Yet the new cast addition, the new kevlar suits, the insane camera shots, the artistry, the massively complicated stunt sequences – all raise the bar and make this installment, the absolute best one yet.
