John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

This episode has a brutal ramp-up. Much like the second film, it churns out its top moments in the first few minutes, delivering a heady experience for action flick fans. The fight with the giant in the library, and the climactic sequence with the knives are the highlights and the ultimate reference of the genre for Hollywood. The only thing that compares to Vick in the female category is Charlize Theron on the stairs in Atomic Blonde, and The Raid, which is directed by a similarly enthusiastic action fanboy. Unfortunately, after Casablanca, the film tilts into a sort of arcade concept with increasingly intense fights, which, while visually imaginative and well done, lose pace and become a bit monotonous. There’s a great cameo for action lovers and, of course, the amazing work of the stunt team, but it would work better as a compilation of scenes than a film as a whole. For non-fans, it’s an ordeal, because if you close your eyes for five minutes, you won’t miss anything. The second film was less flashy, but more consistent with a more solid framing of the story and well reined. John Wick 3, on the other hand, is clearly the furthest along technically and in terms of action concept, but also the most off the rails. Maybe it wanted to be like The Raid 2, but they forgot about the story. (05/21/2019)

So I’m wondering if this action series isn't the best I've ever seen... and it probably is. John Wick is still hugely entertaining, honest, and a notch up again in terms of story and surreal carnage. Imagine if Bud Spencer and Terrence Hill's comedies had blood spurting by the gallon and their classic two-against-a-hundred slaps had ended in a pile of corpses... Or imagine Buster Keaton's slapstick, which, like the last episode, also makes a cameo appearance. That's exactly what most of the action in John Wick 3 looks like – endless ideas, choreographed to the last detail, and a pitch-black humor that's impossible not to succumb to. At the same time, I must add that the film is once again not all action, and that without interesting, well-acted characters and lots of twists, it would hardly be half as good. (05/15/2019)

Mr. Wick again raises the standard of Hollywood action. Stahelski and Reeves draw from a seemingly bottomless wellspring of ideas. Action in the library, the stables, the hotel and on the street. Knives, pistols, horses, dogs, a book – anything can be and is turned into a lethal weapon, often used in a very original way. The balance of action and mythology serve Chapter 3 well, thus giving us the best from both preceding instalments. The film also works very refreshingly with the legend represented by Jardani Jovonovich; after all, arch villains are big fans of his work. The supporting roles are very powerful this time and are developed in really unexpected directions. Beautiful interiors and exteriors; it’s one big luxury tour. Carry on as you are. It’s an honor to fight you, Mr. Wick. (05/16/2019)

The best two scenes open the third instalment of the John Wick series and are rather actually the ending of the second one. Then a new, slightly different movie begins. The outlined movie universe is developed and we encounter its power brokers. The journey to them, however, does not reach the dramatic epic nature or visual magnificence of Rome from the second part, with its disco, catacombs and the Camorra boss. And the stylish elegance of the previous sequel with its 100% focus on Wick turns into an unpredictable bit of surrealism with apparent errors of logic and multiple characters who influence Wick’s destiny in a manner other than with a lethal handgun. However, it is still a very enjoyable representative of the series within its genre. (07/05/2019)

I was going to write “epic conclusion to the action trilogy”, but they’ve announced a 4th installment yesterday, so this is just a solid sequel that action-wise represents the best the US has offered in the last few years. A big improvement is that the new Wick has picked up some great reinforcements from Asia (Cecep and Ruhian from The Raid) delight also the hilarious Mark Dacascos and the perfectly trained Halle Berry. Visually, John Wick 3 is brilliant. The graceful styling and luxury comes through in every frame, and since I care enough about the aesthetic, I enjoyed the pleasantly fancy sets. The action is of course perfect in the context of an American production (clear cinematography, minimal editing, lots of creative ideas and decent choreography), at times you could feel that Keanu Reeves wasn't keeping up, especially against Cecep and Ruhian you could see that it was a bit too rehearsed (Jason Statham would probably have fought better here), but there are other interesting elements: the library, the sharp dogs in Istanbul, the uncompromising scene in the stable with the horse, the motorbikes and katanas, where they took inspiration from South Korea's The Villainess. Outside of the action, the pace is slower, but it doesn't significantly matter. A decent ride and without a doubt a clear cinematic must-see. 85%. (05/21/2019)