Over the years, there have been many cult action films and franchises that have left an everlasting impact on the minds and psyche of moviegoers and pop culture nerds. The one at the top of my mind is Bruce Willis’ Die Hard, although over the years, the quality of Die Hard films went down. It is rare that a sequel tops the previous films and that’s where John Wick movies score over almost any action franchise.
Actors like Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillon, Anjelica Houston and Mark Dacascos make an endearing addition to the cast of John Wick or rather a pile up of bodies.
Director Chad Stahelski’s Parabellum boasts of elegant elimination sequences aplenty, with each brutal move ingeniously designed and judiciously choreographed to maximum effect. But, while the quality of violence perpetrated by Wick on an endless stream of killers was akin to an artsy performance in the previous two films, sadly, here he is reduced to a vehicle of mindless assault, somebody who would do just about anyone’s bidding for his survival in a secret network of only ‘first-named’ assassins
John Wick 3 is a film with many adversaries, but not necessarily a villain – in all honesty, I would contend its biggest nemesis is the CBFC. As per usual, a vast majority of the men who are sent to stop John Wick are merely faceless obstacles that he must slice and shoot his way through. In that regard, the third film is closer to resembling a video game than the previous entries in this unlikely franchise. After every immaculately choreographed fight, John Wick levels up, until he arrives, exhausted but evolved, for the boss battle. The texture and aesthetics of the film are good. The background score is fine and the way it’s synced with the gunshot sound is applause worthy. The editing is sharp and even though the movie is longest of the franchise in terms of screen time, you won’t feel it even once.
Overall, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum proves that this Keanu Reeves-led film series is the best action franchise of modern times.
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