Movie Breakdown: John Wick: Chapter 2

Pre-Screening Stance:

I’m so very excited for John Wick: Chapter 2.  Everything about it looks like “more of the same”, and that’s exactly what I want from it.  Here’s to another round of the Boogeyman shooting a zillion people in the head for pissing him off.

Post-Screening Ramble:

To be fair, John Wick: Chapter 2 should actually be called John Wick: Chapter 1.5, as it’s less of an entirely new story and more of a continuation of what was presented via the world’s initial introduction to one of the best ass-kickers of all time.  This – just in case you wondering – is meant as a total compliment.  So many action films completely fumble their sequels by trying to do too much or by simply forgetting what made the first film work so well.  But not here, director Chad Stahelski and writer Derek Kolstad essentially do what they did in the first film, and it works wonderfully.  Here’s the story – John Wick wants to be left alone, someone from his past pulls him into a world he no longer wants to be a part of, he gets mad and shoots a metric shit-ton of people in the head.  Is that Chapter 1 or Chapter 2?  It’s both, and that’s totally fine because it’s a formula that Stahelski and Kolstad clearly have 100% dialed in.

If you’ve been hoping that John Wick: Chapter 2 would do something different (why would you want that anyways?), then it’s going to disappoint you.  If you’re not weird and have been eager for more of the same, then you’re going to stroll out of the theater with a huge smile on your face.

One Last Thought:

It’s interesting that even after two films, I only know a little about the world that John Wick exists in.  I hope it stays that way for a good long while.  I like the slight glimpses.

One More Last Thought:

I’m good on Ruby Rose for the foreseeable future.  Sure, the woman is attractive, but she’s not a particularity good actress.  Hell, she can’t even really hold a gun in a convincing fashion.