John Wick is back, and it appears that Keanu Reeves’ ex-assassin has gotten better with age, as the action-thriller franchise has received its finest reviews yet.
Based on the opinions of film critics, Rotten Tomatoes awarded John Wick: Chapter 4 a score of 94%.
The second and third films both scored 89%, while 2014’s original got 86%.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chapter 4 surpasses its fearsome predecessors in practically every way.
Friday’s film depicts Wick being pursued by the global criminal organization the High Table.
Jesse Hassenger of the NME described it as “an all-action movie that really gives its all,” while Charlotte O’Sullivan of the Evening Standard described it as “preposterously delightful.”
“JW4 will be immensely popular, and for me, it’s by far the most satisfying entry,” she added.
Rolling Stone’s David Fear said no one could have predicted in 2014 that Wick would “revolutionize American action movies”, calling the film series “deliriously pleasurable”.
It has “established itself as the most trustworthy film franchise this side of Mission: Impossible”, he noted.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck termed the new chapter “pure, over-the-top action spectacle”, adding: “Bigger, badder, bolder, longer, and boasting virtually more breathtaking set pieces than one movie can comfortably handle, this epic action thriller essentially redefines the stakes.
“Reeves commits so thoroughly to the role’s insane physical demands that he should get an award, if not for acting, then merely surviving.”
‘Cool and kind’
Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times lauded the actor, stating, “Reeves somehow blasts through the film with equal parts raging energy and Zen-like calm.
Never one to steal the spotlight from his co-stars, he excels in attracting and deflecting the camera’s attention as few movie stars could.
Reeves, who has starred in films such as The Matrix, Point Break, and Speed, recently told ABC News that it was “cool” and “kind” for some individuals to describe the latest film as one of the greatest action films of all time.
Unfortunately, the film’s premiere comes only days after the death of co-star Lance Reddick, who played hotel manager Charon in the franchise.
On the red carpet at the US premiere of the film on Monday, Reeves told Deadline, “Lance was a lovely person, a special artist, a man of grace and respect, and he had such a passion for his profession.
And the opportunity to work with him for ten years and four films is very special to me, so his absence is unfortunate.
Brian Truitt of USA Today noted in his assessment,
“The late Lance Reddick, who improved everything he was in, once again supplies wise words as Winston’s right-hand concierge Charon.”
Despite the film’s outstanding Rotten Tomatoes rating, not all reviews appreciated it.
Charles Bramesco of the Guardian described it as an “overlong and overcrowded action sequel.”
“With the side-quest-clogged narrative as well as the spectacular fight sequences that greatly outstay their welcome, a viewer begins to feel the distinction between maximalism and merely having a lot of stuff about the third hour and primarily in their glutes.”
Alex Godfrey of Empire described it as “relentlessly vicious,” adding, “It’s a tad excessive. Certainly, it is a love letter to action films, but so much so that action films may seek a restraining order.
However, he did add,
“Reeves operates primarily with one register” (mythologically gruff). But, that is precisely what this series is, and despite its limited scope, Reeves remains endlessly compelling.”
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