John Wick: Chapter 2

Disappointment. Not big, but disappointment nonetheless. John Wick 2 is still way ahead of other action movies, but in the fights and the shootouts, it sometimes runs out of breath and starts to repeat itself a little. Fortunately, the lead is so great that it doesn't matter that much. The bigger problem is with the story, which is taken deadly seriously this time, lacking the lightness and wit of the first one, and, above all, going in a direction that I personally don't consider to be completely fortunate. While John Wick used to be a myth, a legend, and a specter whose name terrified every mafia member, now he is just one of many assassins who lost their uniqueness somewhere between the first and second film. The myth is gone. Moreover, the film thoughtlessly divulges all the secrets of the world of assassins, which was previously so attractive precisely because it kept those secrets. Quite a shame. John Wick 2 is an above-average action movie that unfortunately comes with a boring story that somewhat loses itself. Oh, and also with a rather weak lineup of antagonists. Sorry, but next time I want more. Although maybe I'll prefer to wait less. (05/15/2017)

An escalating copy of the non-functional first one, in which most of the participants make fools of themselves and the local reviews make a fool out of me. For me, a  bunch of slick head shots do not make for an unforgettable action flick, and if it weren't for the unusual initial destruction of the car, the only scene where Wick maintains the position of an honest worker, I would rate it even lower. Derek Kolstad has made too many foolish decisions this time, cramming bits of Kingsman into the mythology and having the main characters recite ridiculously trivial life mottos. The peak of all the confusion comes with Laurence Fishburne, whose performance and the entire subplot make a bold leap into the toilet. The rescue comes at the very end, which finally justifies the long-standing lack of compromise, but an open ending is a risk that is just begging for a proper punch in the face in the event a sequel is never made. (06/07/2017)

At first, the second John Wick is pretty much the same as the first, but that's not a bad thing, and as time goes on (especially during the riveting part set in Italy) it becomes clear that this film really is bigger and in some ways even more imaginative than its older brother. I really liked the more elaborate world of all the killers, the big hunt for John Wick and the mirror finale that reminded me of The Man with the Golden Gun. I believed in Keanu Reeves with everything, and his castmates (the charmingly badass Ruby Rose) certainly didn't get put to shame. I'd quite like it if Chad Stahelski did a Bond movie in the future, because he's as good at action scenes as he is at non-action ones, and the result would definitely be interesting. (02/25/2017)

This sequel is visually more finely honed. It doesn’t suffer the usual pitfalls of sequels, while it enjoys all of the advantages. There’s more action, at least equally good, ingenious and surprising, even though it has lost the moment of surprise that part 1 had. The gloomy feeling remains, the creators not allowing themselves to be sucked into mistakes. Reeves enjoys every minute in this role. Lots of powerful moments… I want to visit Rome this year. (02/28/2017)

Something wicked this way comes! They had a dog in the first one, and artistic ambitions in part two. And they look deadly serious during it ... and I'm buying it this time. Proof that headshots belong to galleries and newer Bond films may be outdated, but with their emphasis on increasingly daring sets, they also influence films you wouldn't expect at all. At the same time, Stahelski is learning to be a director and plays even more with the timing of the action, which, unlike many of my colleagues, I consider significantly better than in the first film (I don't even know the last time I smiled so stupidly during the arming scene). Wick grabbed exactly what I enjoyed most in number one - the strange mythology of the brotherhood of assassins - and adds other interesting fragments. The main ingredient, in addition to the flashy visuals, the crazy pompous scenography and the fantastic choreography, is, of course, Keanu. He goes against the fashion of muscular fighters and kills with the same, and still penetrating gaze. Reeves returns to the elite through a door no one expected three years ago. And I can't help but say that I'm just looking forward to the third movie in the style of "him vs the world". A very, very nice surprise, which played an even better game with the same characters. (02/17/2017)