John Wick: Chapter 2

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common and Riccarrdo Scamarcio.

Director: Chad Stahelski

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 2hrs 2 minutes

Genre: Crime/Thriller

Rating: 15

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis:

John Wick returns once again to criminal underworld, this time to repay a debt, Wick soon discovers however that a large bounty hunt has been put on his life! 

John Wick! The ultimate hitman! John is retired when he is suddenly forced to make a comeback. New home, new dog. It takes off very nicely from where the first movie ended. So what happens when you put a huge bounty hunt on the ultimate hitman? You find yourself in a serious amount of trouble. Keanu Reeves is an actor who has really surprised me over the years, this is the same gentlemen who played Ted in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", his performance is absolutely incredible! Badass. John, is not a man who you want to be messing with! As the characters in this movie soon find out. Directed by the same gentlemen who also directed the first film, Chad Stahelski. This is a fantastically directed film. If you're into your "hitman" movies, believe me this is the series you'll want to have! I really love that Chad has chosen to show more flashbacks of John's previous life with his wife. We are shown a bit more of his backstory. This is a story about a man who's having second thoughts about his life, does he want to be this badass hitman for the rest of his life? Is this what his wife would of wanted?

I just want to reassure people that his dog does not die in this film, nor is it even remotely hurt. Why put that into movies ah? Santino D'Antonio is a very interesting character, he's charming and he's good looking but there is so much depth to his character, more sinister then what he might first give off. Riccardo Scamarcio is a very underrated Italian actor who I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of. His acting is really very good, I love the characterisation that he brings to his role, he's sinister and very manipulative. He's really got this hitman quality about him. Ian McShane, not an actor I see much of, probably more popularly known in the hit TV show on Amazon at the moment in "American Gods", a good actor if he gets the right role! His character Winston is very interesting. I got the impression he is a hitman, however come the end of the movie I wasn't too sure. What do you think?

I also love how Stahelski has chosen to show subtitles on the screen, and not necessarily for those speaking in another language. It adds a nice little touch to the film. There is the perfect balance of action and natural storyline. There is a perfect amount of suspense and tension, particularly in the second chapter of the film. It all goes down in the second half. The storyline is fantastic and personally far more engaging the then first film. Ruby Rose is an actress who really took me by surprise, her character Ares is a mute, meaning she cannot hear nor can she speak. Her performance is remarkable considering she does not speak a single word through out the entire film. The choreography for the stunt work and fight scenes is extremely impressive. What's more remarkable is that Keanu Reeves does most of his own stunts. Wow. The fight sequences are some of the best I have seen in a very long time.

Beautifully shot in New York City and Lazio Italy, Cinematographer Dan Lausten has done a great job! This is a really nice looking movie! In the second chapter particularly, there are a couple of really unique shots that look fantastic! It really added suspense and excitement to the scene. All of the actors are framed into the settings very well and look great on screen! The production design is great, who doesn't love his car? It suits his character perfectly, although it does get a little bit bashed up in this movie. He's got a very nice modern looking house. There is a really awesome looking scene which involves mirrors, that is all! The costume design is great, he gets a pretty bad ass looking suit in this movie too! Bullet Proof? Bomb Proof? Okay that's going a bit too far isn't it? Trust me, it's awesome! The soundtrack isn't quite as exciting as it is in the fist one, however it's fantastic none the less, I love that the DJ behind the soundtrack made an appearance in the movie!

One of the best action films I have seen in a really long time, equally if not better then the first film! Keanu Reeves at his very finest! Be sure to look out for Chapter 3 in the coming future!

Blu-Ray Special Features:

Deleted Scenes:

Four deleted scenes, that in my opinion dragged the movie down, I agree with the directors choice in leaving them out of the movie.

Training John:

A nice featurette on Keanu Reeves training to be John Wick, really cool!

The underworld of John Wick:

Making and behind the scenes of the movie.

5/5 stars