John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum Review - Heart Racing Fast Action, Solid Entertainment

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Category: Film

Published on Thursday, 16 May 2019 23:07

Written by Janet Walker

John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum, from Lionsgate and Summit Entertainment, presents the third installment in the assassin trilogy, as Mr. Wick, now banished, must find his way back to the place where he can atone for his mistake.

Directed by Chad Stahelski John Wick: Chapter 3 stars Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Anjelica Huston, Lawrence Fishburne, Ian McShane, Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Riddick, Tobias Segal, Said Taghmaoui, Jerome Flynn, Randall Duk Kim and Margaret Daly.

The film opens with a a wide sweep over Manhattan, the needle in the haystack shot, as our man John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, is, as we are told, disavowed with an open bounty on his head and a countdown of one hour he is running.

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A drenching downpour, shadows hiding in every darkened alleyway, behind every mask, around every corner on every street. Assassins, of which he is one, and if legend serves, the best, are waiting for the clock to strike six.

Making his way to the New York Public Library, he approaches the reference desk asking for a rare Russian book. With minutes to spare, he finds the book and opens it reveling a hidden cut out with a picture of his wife and two bartering chips.

Just as he was closing the book, with a few minutes to spare, an assassin colleague, also a member of the International Assassin's Guild, came up behind him and decided no one would know if he didn't honor the guild's code, especially for the price.

This begins one of many attempted assassinations on John Wick. He is facing his fate as he killed a colleague from the High Table, which as we see throughout the film is a serious offense, no matter the violation or cause.

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The High Table runs the show, and depend on complete loyalty. To clean up this mess and so that all understand loyalty to the organization is demanded, expected and the party will be adjudicated should it be violated.

John, we see is an assassination with a consciousness, so therefore his colleagues have been pleased with him, and for the years of loyalty pledged loyalty even in his banished state.

For each of those, Winston played by Ian McShane, The Bowery King, played by Lawrence Fishburne and The Director, played by Anjelica Huston, The Adjudicator, played by Asia Kate Dillon is sent to explain to each the punishments.

Throughout this seven days, John is a wanted man and every car carrying guild assassin is looking to find a way to take him out. His escape is aide by The Director, and he is given safe passage to Casablanca where he meets up with Sofia, played by Halle Berry.

Upon his return he is stalked by one man, Zero, played by Mark Dacascos, who has been called into service. His awe of John Wick is played so well, that it is humorous as he explains, between the fighting, as above all, the guild has a code of honor, how he is legendary and here I am actually meeting you, I'm almost at a loss for words.

With one card left to play, he enlists her help for old times sake and the two set out on a final journey.

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John Wick Chapter 3 - Parabellum, some would say is insensitive to the changing culture as the gun violence is prominent and exploited, almost gratuitous, and with that said, the film is solid action, with a well-built interesting story-line and delivers racing entertainment.

The martial arts sequences, of which there are many, were choreographed very well. The staccato actions were clean, crisp and smooth in delivery. The actions swift and sharp with sufficient follow through to appear "genuine." Also, even as some of the scenes were a bit campy, and over the top, for the bounty in play, the rat-a-tat-tat styling were necessary.

The heavy action sequences were not limited to Keanu Reeves. Halle Berry also appeared to be have enough stunt scenes to be impressive. The film is heavy on depicting assassination, fighting to the death, with a warriors determination.

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Mark Dacascos, who has been called into service. His awe of John Wick is played so well that it is humorous as he explains, between the fighting, as above all, the guild has a code of honor, how he is legendary and here I am actually meeting you, I'm almost at a loss for words.

The heavy hitters, Lawrence Fishburne, Anjelicaa Huston, Halle Berry all deliver as one would expect. Keanu Reeves, once again takes John Wick and creates a sympathetic assassin.

John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum delivers solid action, with heavy violence, a strong story, high body count, and even some humor mixed in at the right places. It is heart pounding, solid entertainment.

John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum opens Friday, May 17, 2019. See it.