Keanu Reeves. © 2023 Lionsgate, 87Eleven Productions, Summit Entertainment, and Thunder Road Films. Directed by Chad Stahelski.
Freedom Comes With A Cost.
After three installments in the series, John Wick is back one last time to finish the job. The bombastic almost three-hour film goes full killing spree mode with insanity, craziness, and dogs. This is the film that we have been waiting for a while and was it worth the wait? You can tell by the first few sentences. Get ready to go international to hunt down the high table with Mr. Wick and his fellow friends and foes. It's going to be a bumpy review. Story: With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hitman John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin. Action films now these days can be underwhelming if they're not taking it to the next level. But in the past two or three years now, we see more filmmakers putting more craft into the action genre and innovating it with wild stunt work and direction. Not only that but also making a simple story with excellent set-pieces and great characters. That is what the John Wick franchise's strengths are and this is the peak of the entire series. A dedicated story with beautiful action set-pieces while expanding the world and lore of this story. The story of the film is simple but it gets more in-depth with the lore of the high table. It's half John Wick and half world-building. However, it is mixed together to keep the main story in focus while slowly expanding the world while not driving away from the main story. The plot gets more twisted and insane in the first hour and there are surprises in the story that will leave you in shock. There are plot elements that felt like a video game mission but the film is aware of the story and absurdity of the nature of this film. The runtime of this film feels adjusted because there are so many story elements that need to flow within one film. However, I'm surprised that John can travel from city to city like it's nothing which questions the absurdity of this film. Is it out of the field? Yes. Do I really care? Not so much because it's John fucking Wick. The story overall is very solid for an action film but the way they expanded the world while focusing on the mainline story really makes the overall story and plot more in-depth. The characters in this film are amazing. John Wick himself is just badass once again and he has more spoken lines now than in the previous film. However, his non-verbal scenes are more impactful, and when he says something, it adds more tension or emotional stakes. John Wick is more deadly and he goes on a full killing spree. His character arc is satisfying at the end which makes this film more impactful and what will the franchise hold in the future. Keanu Reeves is fantastic in the role and he still proves that he can do insane stunts at an older age when people start acting less. Keanu isn't finished and he brings stunts to another level. You can't deny that Keanu's acting can be still powerful without any dialogue spoken due to being in the character of John Wick. I can't wait to see more of Keanu Reeves in more action films! Side characters including returning ones like the Bowery King, Winston Scott, Caine, and Marquis are all amazing and badass. Donnie Yen as Caine was so badass. He carried the comedic aspect of the film during his amazing stunt action sequences. It was nice seeing him back on the big screen. The villain Marquis played by Bill Skarsgård is very great. Skarsgård always brings a villainous or charming type of role and he's no different in this role. He's ruthless and he felt like a true villain which is what the John Wick films needed. A true villain with a motive with no rules and being a dick. The new characters like Mr. Nobody, Akira, Killa, and Shimazu are all great. The standout is Mr. Nobody played by Shamier Anderson. He really did a great job with his stunt work and his comedic/dramatic charm was entertaining. I really dig Scott Adkins's performance in his portrayal of Killa. Rina Sawayama was also badass as Akira and it's leading up to a spin-off in the future. Everyone did great in the film and it was sad to see Charon played by Lance Reddick which is one of his last roles due to his natural death. Rest in Peace Lance. He really brought a good presence in the John Wick films. These expansive new and returning characters keep the films alive and help expand the world of the Continental.
I cannot think where to start. This film is balls crazy with its action choreography and cinematography. It's insane that there are more long takes in this film than in the other entries in the series. There are over 5 action scenes that are 10 to almost 30 minutes long of non-stop action. Legit non-stop. That is fucking insane and I love it. The hand-to-hand combat sequences are still gut-punching and intense. The gun action sequences are still violent and brutal. It can be unrealistic at times but it's very entertaining and it packs a punch. The car sequence in Pairs is glorious and fun. The stunts done in this film are more insane. They try to get everything all on camera with little to no CGI and VFX and it was very seamless. The stunts get crazier in the final act of the film and there are hilarious stunts pulled off. I applaud the stunt department for going insane with these stunts like it's the final action film of all time. The sword fighting is fantastic and my god, the "Hotline Miami" scene is absolutely flawless. Beautiful choreography on every level and I wanted more after the film was over. Ruthless bloody action as we have never seen it before. This is what action films should be doing now and there's no excuse. The pinnacle of action cinema of the decade so far.
The production work on this film is also amazing as well. The production design is amazing, especially the apartment complex scene in Paris. Full of rooms but all in one take with an overhead shot. Believe me when you see the film in action. That is great production design. Huge props to the crew in that department. The costumes are pretty great and the weapons are crisp as fuck. The sound design is fantastic and I can see this getting some awards recognition in the fall. The biggest aspect of filmmaking that made my jaw drop is the cinematography. It's fucking beautiful in every frame and the way it was shot, even in non-action sequences is just crafted beautifully. Full of neon colors, huge wide shots, and incredible in-depth close-up shots. Plus, the action choreography that goes alongside the cinematography with wide shots and dolly shots makes the action scenes more entertaining. I'm not kidding when I say this, but this film should at least get nominated for best cinematography at next year's Oscars. It's also time to add the best stunt category at the Oscars as well. Stunning and beautiful. The editing is also amazing and overall, the production of this film is fantastic. They used every penny of this $100 million dollar film into use and it was worth every dollar. I would say, the runtime felt long. There were moments that felt like the action was near but it wasn't that fast to get to it. However, I loved the small calm moments that led up to the action sequence. I was hoping for more screentime of the Bowery King. Also, there were quite a few plot holes or plot issues but besides that, it didn't ruin the whole story moment. Everything else is fantastic! This film was insane from beginning to end. Without any spoilers, this film will leave you happy or sad. That's all I can say and you are not prepared for three hours of non-stop action, amazing characters, and beautiful cinematography that you will eat up. This is a thrill ride and it's the best film in the series. I want more but we will have to wait till next year. It's been a pleasure, Mr. Wick. Now Playing Only in Theaters in IMAX and Digital. Vizeit Score: "A+" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2023. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr.
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Felix Kammerer. © 2022 Netflix and Amusement Park. Directed by Edward Berger.
The War Ain't Pretty Until You Become Part of It.
Quick Review: After securing over 9 nominations at the Academy Awards, I had to check it out! I had it on my watchlist for a while and after watching it, I can safely say this was a great war film. There's a lot of dedication to the filmmaking craft and the story behind it. It's another adaptation from the book but with modern technology, it captures what was told from the original source material. There are a lot of creative and beautiful sequences that really stuck with me. The snow sequence really got me very well and the second war battle sequence is by far the strongest sequence in the film. The film uses a lot of long takes and it brings you into the bloody battle of WWI. There are moments that will definitely surprise you for the better or worse. The performances in this film are pretty great with Albrecht Schuch playing Kat being the standout. I really loved the cinematography and the production design of the trenches. The side characters are actually pretty good but not as strong as I hoped for. The film can be quite long with its pacing in the middle but the final 30 minutes really bring this film home. While it's another "war film" that you have seen a bunch of times, including the "anti-war" message behind it, you can't deny the technical aspects that went into this film. It's grounded, effective, brutal, and memorable. I can see this film taking two Oscars and it's one of those war films that will leave you depressed or thinking about the messages behind this film. This was a very solid flick and I bet there will be more war films to come. Now Streaming Only on Netflix Vizeit Score: "B+" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for your continue support.) Copyright © 2023. Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. |
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