John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

A polished diamond. Sure, it's a filmmaking exhibition by genre fans, but it reaches its peak in this third film. In those aesthetically refined backdrops (neon and rain always work), a festival of creative imagination takes place, which refuses to ease up and sprinkles one highlight after another from its sleeve. The uncompromisingly long, clear, and unrelentingly physical action scenes are in many ways borderline trance-like, and it doesn't matter if there’s shooting, flipping through a book, or ordering dogs around. The story is a phantasmagoria, and every other line is a declamation, but it springs from it quite a few ironic dialogues and comedy performances. It can't be pushed any further. And if it can, then let’s have a Reeves vs. Iko Uwais matchup in the fourth film, please. (08/31/2019)

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)

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)

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)