John Wick: Chapter 4

Have you ever shouted “Again, again!” pleading with a roller coaster operator, because you just never wanted to get off the ride? That’s how I felt as the credits rolled, even after the nearly three hour runtime. I can’t wait until it comes to SVOD, so I can go back and savor every sequence; pause, rewind and fully appreciate how Stahelski et al created what might be, if not the greatest action movie of all time, then certainly the most fun one I’ve experienced in a theater.  The fighting is visceral, intimate and perfectly choreographed. Every gorgeous set piece is beautifully lit. These are some of the best dressed assassins and villains to ever appear on screen, one terrible fat suit aside. The audacity and intensity of the over-the-top stunts is well balanced with playful humor. The franchise never takes itself too seriously but still feels reverent as it pays homage to the cinematic canon from which it draws inspiration. I love these damn movies, and it’s just such a pleasure to get to spend time in the world they have built. Update:  The next time I rewatched it was on a plane and it literally hit different. From the first punch thrown, seen on that tiny screen, heard through tinny, wired, free headphones- I’ve just never appreciate the cinematic experience more. Also, tried to watch the Peacock series The Continental and that put into stark relief that the magic of Wick is the brilliant movie crew and not the story/mythology. I’ll still give The Ballerina a shot.