Spoilers think it’s no longer about the dog.

Okey, I have a soft spot for this series. Although this is a genre action thriller, this franchise has always relied on a fantastical element. Rather than going for hyper realism, it has embraced its dabbling in the fantasy genre where hitmen and assassins gain almost mythical proportions. And yet, its main character winces, stumbles, hurts and bleeds. Gunplay makes a comeback here to the point of absolute overkill. Is it all worth it for another outing?

(Credit: Lionsgate)

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) is directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, based on the characters created by Derek Kolstad. After his presumed death and disappearance in the previous installment, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has been recovering under the protection of the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). Meanwhile, the High Table has commissioned the Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) to keep the underworld in line and fix the mess that John left behind. As his first order of business, he destroys the New York Continental, leaving Winston (Ian McShane) positionless and taking out Charon (Lance Reddick). John Wick must challenge this Marquis, defeat the High Table and gain his freedom.

To add to these insurmountable odds, John will encounter a plethora of former allies and enemies, some which are on his side, some which will switch sides on him. There’s always an overlap between both groups when you’re John Wick. Former partner Caine (Donnie Yen) has his own issues with the High Table, but Marquis has offered him his freedom as well as guaranteeing his daughter’s safety. Caine, a blind man who managed to master his other senses to such an uncanny level to remain a threat, has his own agenda with John.

There are things about this feature that are extremely debatable. It’s not new that in this world the suits are resistant to bullets, but it’s really asking a lot of my suspension of disbelief to see John rising a piece of his coat to cover his face as if that will somehow cancel out the force of a bullet. Anybody that has a passing knowledge of firearms would also expect him to be deaf and burned after constantly firing off rounds while holding his handgun inches from his face. Not to mention that recoil is all but eliminated. These are things that you have to turn off in your brain when the shooting begins. There’s so much rounds fired that after a while you become numb of it all.

But it still works. Assassins that show up all have quirks, gadgets and personalities so outlandish that you almost feel like they’re alien bounty hunters from a space opera. Gangster bosses might as well feel like villains from a superhero comic. You’re really in a world where the underworld has a hidden honour code which cannot be broken even beyond death. John Wick breaks the “law” of the High Table yet uses its code to try to gain his freedom while having betrayed- okey, let’s not think too hard about it. The rules of this world have its own charm even when they don’t make sense.

Recommended for fans of over-the-top action. Yes, it is flawed but in a way that still retains charm for those of us which started loving this make believe world of international assassins, hotel managers, homeless kings, blind hitmen and, of course, dogs who you should never shoot. I still think you should consider the first film which at this time might feel tame before you embark on this one. Worth a watch for the right audience.

That will do for now.