The wolf that climbs the mountain: A film review of ​JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM

The third entry in the over the top action franchise is filled with stunning cinematography and some of the most fluid fight choreography in Hollywood today, it is rare for a film series to continue to improve, but Parabellum  proves that Keanu Reeves isn't just back, he is here to stay. 

​JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM (2019)
​Genre Action, Crime, Thriller
Rated R for pervasive strong violence, and some language.
Run-Time 130 minutes
Produced by Summit Entertainment, Thunder Road Pictures, 87Eleven Productions
Distributed by Lionsgate

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is the 3rd entry in the "Wickverse" following John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 2. 

The film wastes no time in diving into the high octane story picking up minutes after its predecessor. We find our Hero John Wick(Keanu Reeves) who is now officially declared "excommunicado," for killing a member of The High Table. The High Table being comprised of 12 seats of top-level crime lords that each manage one of the underworld's most influential institutions. It is considered the final word and ultimate authority in the criminal underworld and is feared and respected by all.

At the end of the prior film, John breaks the rules of non-engagement at the New York branch of The Continental. The Continental is a chain of hotels located all around the globe that function as a impartial territory for members of the criminal underworld. At these safe havens, where they can receive goods and assistance, as well as serve as a place of respite in between contracts. 

The fallout of his action is that a $14 million bounty is placed on the head of our hero, bringing every would-be killer out of every corner of New York. John Wick finds himself removed of the organization's protecting services. Wick must fight his way through the streets of New York as he becomes the number one target of the world's most ruthless killers.

The first 30 minutes or some are the most fluid and faced paced fight choreography I have ever seen in an action film. It is clear Director and former stuntman Chad Stahelski is in his element crafting stories in this violent medium Wick once again fights through a veritable gauntlet of assassins, and this film raises the stakes as he finds increasingly creative ways to dispatch his foes. 

We get a brief glimpse into the past as John relies on the people who raised him, including a  new character played by Anjelica Huston to make his escape from NYC. Making his way towards Casa Blanca and old frenemy, he meets up with Sofia (Halle Berry), who grudgingly helps him as he is in possession of a "marker"  that which is a small round metal object indicating the debt of a blood oath between two individuals, it appears John helped Sofia daughter out of danger a long time ago. Along with her pair of particularly vicious dog companions, who end up stealing the show in a lot of the fight scenes they are in. 

Of course, assisting Wick is risky a business, as his associates (Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Laurence Fishburne), discover when a delegate of the High Table, known as an Adjudicator ("Billions'" Asia Kate Dillon), arrives to enact the will and act as the Iron Fist for the High Table for those who have stepped out of line.

Thankfully, those chasing Wick also include newcomer antagonist Zero ( Mark Dacascos) yes the very same gentleman who served as the chairman from Iron Chef who gleefully exclaimed "Allez cuisine!", who along with his deadly disciples of ninjas, is ecstatic to be facing the legendary Wick as he is eager to kill him and dethrone the king of the proverbially hill. Dacascos produces a much-needed shot in the arm for the films second half, and possess really great screen presence. 

John Wick: Chapter 3 takes the franchise and has grown it into its own universe, while I am unsure if this series is indefinitely sustainable. It continues to deliver the perfect amount of flashy over the top action fueled content with guns lots of guns, that I am at least looking forward to taking this journey for a few more rides.

Who is this film for? 
Fans of John Wick, Fans of Keanu Reeves, Fans of Action Genres. 


Cast

• Keanu Reeves as John Wick
• Halle Berry as Sofia
• Ian McShane as Winston
• Laurence Fishburne as The Bowery King
• Anjelica Huston as The Director
• Saïd Taghmaoui as The Elder
• Mark Dacascos as Zero
• Lance Reddick as Charon
• Asia Kate Dillon as The Adjudicator
• Jason Mantzoukas as Tick Tock Man
• Tiger Hu Chen as Triad

Director

• Chad Stahelski

Writer (based on characters created by)

• Derek Kolstad

Writer (story by)

• Derek Kolstad

Writer

• Shay Hatten
• Chris Collins
• Marc Abrams

Cinematographer

• Dan Laustsen

Editor

• Evan Schiff

Composer

• Tyler Bates
• Joel J. Richard

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