John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum – Movie Reviews by Ry!

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum – A Ballet of Action and Blood

Action is a genre that plays the strings of the adrenaline kind.  Depending on how you get on the ride, everything from car chases, human combat and unexpected explosions can bring a person to the edge.  To capture the moment is an understatement, but it is a phrase that defines a great action film.  Coming into the third chapter of this violent franchise, you witness the glory that makes this a cult classic.  John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum moves this series into a whole new tier.  Even with some obvious plot problems, this third chapter opens the flood gates of what makes John Wick a legend.

The film picks up after the second, with titular character on the run after being ‘excommunicado’ by the Continental.  With a bounty of 14 million on his head (and rising), he must find a way to survive.  After a quick setup of situations and plot, the direction puts the focus on John Wick in action.  From the one-on-one combat, impromptu use of environment/weaponry and stylistic kills, it will bring the audience to the edge of your seat.  The inventive ways that the choreograph ‘Gun-Fu’ technique is used throughout makes John Wick (Keanu Reeves) a truly unstoppable force.  No matter if he is cornered by one person or an armada of killers, it turns into an obstacle course of body counts.  The ideal situation is only driven by his motivation to live.  There is irony of sorts with the theme of living, but what makes it endear is the revelation of his past.  The deepening of the backstory provides more characterization to move the linear plot along its mapped course.  It also introduces more layers to the hierarchy of this world of assassins. 

As you move from point to point, it turns into a repeated motion of:

Character Exposition > Remedied Monologue > Epic Action > Next Scene Foreshadowing

This repetition causes the plot to become a little convoluted.  Everything turns into a convenient variable that places John Wick in situations that take away from the ‘fun’ of the action.  Even as the third act provides some amazing visuals/set pieces, the stylized notion starts to wane.  The climax brings everything around with some unique twists, leading to an epilogue that has you looking forward to what’s to come.  John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum delivers on the action.  With some amazing fight scenes and insane kills, fans will have the time of their lives.  Even as some plot elements causes issues, it never takes away from the adrenaline rush.  I say check this out on the big screen, worthy of the full price of admission.  

Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)