So what is there, what is there in this critically acclaimed masterpiece of cinematic art? I am writing, so to speak, in hot pursuit, striking iron without leaving the cinema box office, while my butt gradually takes on a natural physiological shape after a continuous three-hour session in a comfortable cinema chair. First off: was I waiting for this part? The answer is no! But this is only because I generally do not have the habit of waiting for the premiere of any film. It’s simple: if it comes out, I’ll look at it, if I really like it, I’ll add it to the collection, on a hard copy, but if it doesn’t work out, I won’t look at it. I enjoyed the previous films in the series for the most part and there was no question of going to the cinema. And then, lo and behold, they decided to give him a ride with us. Unlike the sixth scream (there should be an angry emoticon here, but there won’t be one). Well, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it, so I went on the premiere day. Not alone, with a friend.
So, enough beating around the bush, what's wrong with the film? Opinion in the heat of the moment, no deep analytics, analysis of the plot, etc. Firstly, two hours and fifty minutes flew by like exactly two, I also missed twenty minutes of advertising! I wasn’t tired of sitting, I wasn’t bored, I didn’t fall asleep, even though it was late in the evening. Secondly, all the advantages and features for which this franchise has gained fame have been preserved. You don't have to worry about this.
Action staging. The fact that the action here was specially made for him, camera work, editing, long takes, music, pictures, hard work Keanu Reeves, - I don’t seem to have forgotten anything. All this has already been agreed upon by everyone who cares; it seems to me that there is no need to repeat the same thing over and over again, like for the first time, from film to film. That is, all the advantages are in place and remain so. That this would happen, I had almost no doubt. Technical side. Let us not be surprised, this is also the strongest component, everything is clear with this.
But what about the rest this time? It’s no secret to everyone in the know that the cast this time is probably the most bombastic. Such that after it you no longer know who to call in the next film in order to outdo its predecessor. A poet's dream. I won't lie, I was glad to see each of them on screen in such a big film. Donnie Yen - handsome, probably most of all I liked his character and really wanted him to survive. He had something to fight for. His image, his style of fighting, taking into account his poor physical health, add zest, peas and corn, and distinguish him favorably from other hired killers in the franchise. And it’s always great when you manage to come up with a memorable image. Hiroyuki Sanada as the head of the Japanese clan, he is convincing in his role and, of course, will also wave his sword, but his role is not large.
We need to cram more action scenes into the film, there is no time for everything else. By the way, there is such a feature of the franchise, probably starting from the third film, when Giordani destroys a dozen/another/third extras in one scene, you catch yourself thinking that from the action, when it has been going on for quite a long time, you get tired, as it were he wasn't beautiful. Okay, who else do we have there?
Oh, of course Scott Adkins. This is a truly brilliant find. There has never been such a colorful character in the franchise, and never will be. He steals every scene here, and his monologue at the card table is a treat in itself. Although I wouldn’t sit at the same table with him. I respect the creators for not making him an ordinary extra, but giving him a full-fledged supporting role, and even with combat skills. A plus for your karma. This cheerful fat man will be remembered, I think, even by ordinary viewers. U Marco Zarora, in turn, the role is much more modest, although the screen time is about the same (I could be wrong), his appearances are spread throughout the entire runtime from the very beginning to almost the end.
Neither Donnie, nor Scotty, nor Marco will demonstrate the same hand-to-hand skills that they did ten years ago. There are several reasons for this, but of course I won’t name them. Because they are already too obvious. I’ll just say one thing: there is both a minus and a plus in this. Minus - hand-to-hand combat could look even more spectacular, plus - here the characters are completely new and each has their own style of fighting. If Adkins can perform a conventional guyver kick, it does not mean that all the characters in his films must necessarily use this technique, no matter how he was beautiful. We remember such a case when an actor in all films looked the same and demonstrated the same fighting technique, which is why all of his films were called the same, only the serial numbers changed. Whoever guessed who we are talking about is the coolest dude! Adkins, I think, would not want this.
It seems like they remembered everyone. Oh, well, Bill Skarsgard, naturally. The role, of course, is not a combat one, but the most important, villainous one. He looks fine, nothing special to say. Of course, in their places and Ian "Blackbeard" McShane и Laurence "Morpheus" Fishburne, and the latter, with each part, turns more and more into a psychopath, judging by the kind of nonsense he carries. And McShane really wants to regain Continental and his position in it, doing everything for this. But what did the old man forget there? Clancy Brown, I still don’t understand. There's a hell of a lot of screen time, it's quite possible to do without it. Or take some noname. Yes, there is also a rather significant role played by some African-American, who is generally unclear who came from which Uganda. Which is "Nobody". That's what he says about himself. I am nobody and there is no way to call me. Also a killer. A very greedy killer. It seems like he wants to kill Wick, but they are still offering little money. Therefore, he even helps John deal with the extras when he is in a really tough time. Everything is waiting for the price tag to be raised. And what was in his backpack behind his back, he never took it off. And he has a dog. There is a special love for dogs in this series. It seems to me that somewhere around the twentieth film, John Wick himself will become a dog in order to finally gain freedom.
By the way, about him. There is no point in worrying about Wick for a long time; he will not stop until he kills all the people on planet Earth. By the will of the script, of course. After all, there were moments when he lost fights: both in the third film and here. That is, he is still not an absolutely invincible champion. But at such moments, the screenwriter’s pen saved his pitiful skin. Seriously, why does he get up and keep fighting every time? For what? He has no one and nothing. He clings to his miserable life. What for? Behold, he brings pain and death to everyone. How many people have already died just because he paid them a visit and they talked to him. Just do the math. You live a quiet, peaceful life, don’t bother anyone, suddenly an excommunicado appears, asks for something, leaves, or sometimes even doesn’t make it in time, and a group of some eagles or members of the board drop in and that’s it, you’re screwed and screwed. How many such cases have there already been, starting from the second part? Death is coming for him.
Most of all, of course, I am outraged by the supernatural vitality. I didn’t like the moment from the third film at all, where Wick, falling from the roof of the hotel, would have broken everything he could and would have died before reaching the ground. Maybe we shouldn’t take an example from comic book blockbusters? Creators! Hear me! That is why, for me, the best film remains the first film, which combines cool action plus the sanity of what is happening within the framework of an action movie. As there was more money, there was less credibility and more nonsense. This film again features falls from great heights, where serious injuries are inevitable. And John, instead of being taken to the hospital, gets up, brushes himself off and goes on to kill the bastards. I’m already closing my eyes to the fact that everything is healing on him, like on a dog (so that’s it! Maybe turning into a dog will happen before the twentieth film!). All injuries were without consequences. He is also immune to car accidents, so no matter how much you hit him with a car, he is alive! whole! eagle!
I won't speak about the plot. It seemed to me that this time there is less nonsense and nonsense than there was in the previous film, which of course is pleasing. Is this the best part? No, for me the first one is the best, as already written above. But this is subtective. And, of course, everything will not end the way it ended here. After all, I’m sure this part will pay off. And since Hollywood doesn’t know what to do, John won’t see the freedom he desires. They haven’t sent a rotten message here yet (fat Adkins doesn’t count), which in itself is a plus. Although it’s not evening yet.
PS: My friend really liked the film.
Sergey Volkolak
Especially for Fight-Films.info
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Tags: John Wick: Chapter 4, Donnie Yen, Keanu Reeves, Marko Zaror, Scott Adkins, Hiroyuki Sanada
Tags: John Wick: Chapter 4, Donnie Yen, Keanu Reeves, Marko Zaror, Scott Adkins, Hiroyuki Sanada
I don’t want to go into details, but this is a masterpiece. Hollywood, in the person of Keanu Reeves, struck back and showed that it can shoot no worse than Indonesia. Best episode. Unlike other series, the obvious Asianness captivated me. Honor, friendship and family. Well, Scott Adkins probably has the best role of his entire career. How did he, in such a suit, land the spinners without preparation and throw Reeves? Definitely the best film of 2023 in the next vote. And Donnie Yen was given the drama. In fact, he is the most noble character in the entire film. And Wick doesn't look like such a hero anymore. Lots of emotions. Fabulous. Masterpiece