John Wick: Chapter Three – Parabellum Review
May 24, 2019 9:01 am |
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM
Has Keanu Reeves finally completed a trilogy that’s worthy? I’m not talking about the Bill and Ted saga. That has yet to be determined with the (hopefully) upcoming Bill and Ted Face the Music. Sadly, Speed never made it past the second film “Cruise Control” which didn’t even star Keanu Reeves but instead Jason Patric. And for as much as I love The Lost Boys I wasn’t really itching for Speed on a boat. And I’m definitely not talking about the Matrix trilogy. We all know how that turned out.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum has arrived in theaters and for as much as I’m looking forward to seeing Booksmart this weekend I highly doubt that one of those college bound teens shoves a copy of The Old Man and the Sea in the librarians face.
Chad Stahelski is back in the director’s chair here for the 3rd time. It just seems fitting that the stunt double for Neo in The Matrix is now guiding all the stunts and action in this franchise. Derek Kolstad writes the script. The regulars return for this film sans Common (John Wick: Chapter 2) with some new faces as well. Returning we get Ian McShane as Winston, the owner and manager of the Continental Hotel in New York, Lance Reddick as Charon, the concierge at the Continental Hotel in New York and Laurence Fishburne returns as the Bowery King with his underground criminal organization. Fisburne sure has come a long way since playing Cowboy Curtis on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse hasn’t he?
The latest installment in the John Wick franchise takes place right after the second film with John Wick being excommunicado as you follow John Wick around the globe as he’s being tracked by assassins. Ever wanted to see John Wick on a horse fighting villains? This movie has it. Ninjas with blades on motorcycles? It’s here. The action in this film is some of if not the best in the franchise. They’ve added a couple of the guys from The Raid and The Raid 2 as Shinobi 1 and 2 and boy did they deliver! If it’s action you’re looking for you don’t have to wait until Hobbs & Shaw.
The returning cast are great but the newcomers shine in John Wick 3. Angelica Huston, as the Director and the head of the Ruska Roma was a very cool eye opening scene about John Wick’s past and also does a great job at setting up “The Ballerina” which is the John Wick spin-off show that, fingers crossed, still gets a series order. Also, what happened to news of “The Continental” TV show set in this world? One of the films villains Zero played by Mark Dacascos had me in the theater saying “I know I’ve seen this guy” and upon a search on IMDb I found out that he not only was in my beloved Brotherhood of the Wolf but he was the Chairman on the Iron Chef America series which I believe I probably TiVo’d every episode back in the day. Here’s hoping Bobby Flay is the villain in John Wick: Chapter 4 – Portobello.
Mark Dacascos needs more roles going forward in the action genre. I’m looking at you Marvel. If this guy isn’t in your new Shang-Chi film along with some of The Raid actors, which John Wick 3 has, you’re missing out. Dacascos brings a level of humor that isn’t subtle and at times is plain silly but it just works. It’s definitely needed after you’ve seen John Wick throw 23 knives into someone’s face, neck and chest. But Dacascos was fun and had me laughing in my theater chair at his interactions and reverence for John Wick.
But the standout for me in the new John Wick is Halle Berry as Sofia who we meet in Casablanca. And can I just say I would love to shake the hands of the locations scouts for the John Wick films. They have an eye for this. Well done. Halle Berry is the reluctant partner to John Wick for a time in Chapter 3 and only helps him in his journey because of a debt. The marker medallion is just another cool assassin trinket introduced into this series that I hope we see used in “The Continental”. Is that show still coming out? Halle Berry is fantastic as Sofia from the action to the delivery of her lines. Her character Sofia is tough and she can hold her own and she loves dogs. And I loved her dogs in this film. There’s something about watching a series that was born from the death of a puppy being able to get revenge in the form of German Shepards tearing the living bejeezus out of everyone they come in contact with. These dogs are amazing and their trainers should be applauded. Lassie’s got nothing on them. Lassie helped Uncle Petrie find the same kid who fell down the same well 14 times. At a certain point you just gotta let the well win.
Keanu Reeves delivers in John Wick 3! Even though John Wick looks worn and tired throughout most of the film this franchise is anything but! More Halle Berry please! And Mark Dacascos was the most charming villain I’ve seen in years. Hats off to Chad Stahelski who’s done it again! You had me at Jason Mantzoukas.
So don’t worry Keanu Reeves fans! This is a worthy Keanu Reeves trilogy that you will love for years to come. Still have my fingers crossed for The Lake House trilogy though. Science fiction postal romance is so hot.
My Rating: TUPPERWARE
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅
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Tags: Chad Stahelski, Halle Berry, John Wick 3, John Wick Chapter 3, John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum, Keanu Reeves, pop culture leftovers
Categorised in: Movie Reviews
This post was written by Leftover Brian
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