John Wick 2

Plot

Having gotten his revenge on Viggo and Iosef, and made peace with Viggo’s family – John is called back into the fold by Santiago an Italian Crime Boss.

He is the brother of Gianna D’Antonio – a member of ‘The High Table’ who lead the criminal underworld.

His request, called by a blood marker Wick once sealed means Wick must carry out Santiago’s wishes… to kill his sister, so he can take her spot on the High Table!

Direction

Chad Stahelski returns to direct (and will direct Chapt 3&4 too).

There are still some very impressive action moments (like the car chase opening), and then other moments in similar vein to #1 where Wick goes through nightclubs shooting his way through all the henchmen of the ‘big bad’.

Cast/Characters

Keanu Reeves of course returns as Wick, with Ian McShane, John Leguizamo and Lance Reddick (RIP) returning from the first film as Winston, Aurelio and Charon respectively.

New cast members are Riccardo Scamarcio as Santiago, Ruby Rose as his mute assassin Ares.

Claudina Gerini plays Gianna, with common playing her chief security guard Cassian.

The Morpheus to Reeve’s Neo (with a small nod to their first film) Laurence Fishburn joins the cast as ‘The Bowery King’, and Peter Stomare has a role early in the film as Viggo’s brother.

Breakdown

Starting where the first film ends, and John both getting his car back (and then completely destroying it in the process), and making peace with the family of Viggo and Iosef – leads him back to where he was at the start of the first film. That is until he is called back into the fold by Santiago – a former ally who calls on John to honour a marker he made years earlier.

I liked how they expanded the universe of the underworld, with this, and this will be further examined in future films. The ‘head office’ where the hits are placed have an almost retro 50s noir American like feel to them, which I loved.

The stakes seem somewhat higher here, with John’s mission to kill a member of the High Table, the leaders of their underworld – but Santiago himself even though he is the ‘primary antagonist’ feels underwhelming. I much preferred the tension between Santiago’s main assassin Ares, and Gianna’s bodyguard Cassian.

There is another walk through kill spree here, which like the first film is well choreographed, and the continued one on one between John and Cassius is well done too, especially their fight following Gianna’s death, and then later in the train station.

Reeves’ Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburn as The Bowery King – who assists John in the third act is a fun addition, especially when they have a very brief Matrix throwback when he helps Wick get a gun.

I liked how they left the film open ended, with John now ex-communicado – which will leave the door open for chapter 3. (review coming soon).

Overall

Not quite as good as number 1, but I loved the start of the inclusion of they mythology of The High Table, and how their world works (especially when hits are put out to the almost 1950’s noir like head office).

The addition of Laurence Fishburn to the franchise is fantastic, given the history with Reeves in The Matrix.

I found the ‘big bad’ of Santiago less intimidating or impressive as Viggo/Iosef, but his ‘downfall’ and the open ended ending for John was just brilliant.

Can’t wait for Chapter 3.

4/5

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