If you’re in need of a little extra awesome today, I present John Wick 2.
Due out on February 10, John Wick: Chapter 2 is basically Keanu Reeves returning to the world of assassins in some kind of battle royale free for all, with lots of guns, explosions and people getting the shit kicked out of them in the process.
The cast is pretty solid: Keanu Reeves, Common, Riccardo Scamarcio, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, Bridget Moynahan, Lance Reddick, Franco Nero, John Leguizamo, and Ian McShane.
Looks fantastic, in a 90’s action movie meets 2016 kind of way. Bring on February 10.
Comments
26 responses to “OK, John Wick 2 Looks Pretty Decent”
The title of this article implies that they’re surprised that this looks good despite the fact that the first John Wick was one of the best action films of the last decade or so…
Agreed best action movie if not of all time in my books
Big call!
Is it really better than Terminator 2, The Raid 1/2, Mad Max: FR, The Dark Knight, Casino Royale, 300, Aliens, basically any of Tarantino’s movies, Kill Bill, The Bourne Identity, Saving Private Ryan, Jurassic Park, or any of the Indiana Jones movies?
Storyline, probably not. But it is definitely the most kinetic action film I’ve seen. Which lets be honest, is incredibly important for an action movie.
That being said, definitely better than either of the Raids, Dark Knight, Casino Royale, and 300.
If you’re judging it based purely on the action, I can’t really see how it tops the first Raid movie, which was essentially just one incredibly well-shot 90 minute pencak silat fight.
Different strokes I guess. I liked the raid, but I like how Wick straddles the realm of believablity exceedingly well in its kineticness.
If we’re talking strictly action choreography and direction, then it’s The Raid 2 over everything I’ve seen in the past decade.
I don’t think you could really class alot of Tarantino’s movies as action movies, more like noir films.
As for Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan and Indiana Jones? He said the last decade or so, those movies are far from the last 10 years.
Yes, yes and yes to all those. Some of those movies didn’t really gel with me but most of them are top notch. But that is only my opinion doesn’t mean those movies are trash or anything. I just really enjoyed the movie alot.
You and me both, brother! Here’s hoping the sequel is as good as the original
Personally I wouldn’t say its necessarily better than any of those movies, primarily because its in a different genre. Those films are all action/adventure flicks with a fair amount of prestige attached in regards to budget, cast, awards, writers and directors.
John Wick belongs more in the timeline of the classic 80’s and early 90’s B grade action flick. We’re talking Commando, Invasion USA, Red Scorpion, Red Heat, Extreme Prejudice, Out For Justice etc. Features such as the bad ass loner who always has one strong example of badass juxtaposition (Vern’s theory, check him out if you have a cursory interest in action cinema), little to no female interaction, a villain accompanied by a clearly defined henchman with formidable skills, high and improbably body counts, practical stunts and explosions.
In this timeline, John Wick is a worthy successor and one of the best pure action flicks in ages. Out of the list you provided, I would really only include the Raid films in this timeline, but also more recently Dredd and the straight to DVD Universal Soldier movies.
Can you think of an example where the sequel has been just as good, if not better, than the original? In the last 10 years, I can only think of three – The Raid 2, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and The Dark Knight. Hellboy 2 and 22 Jump Street are also contenders… but that’s about it.
My fear was that the John Wick franchise would go down the same path as Taken – a fantastic first film followed by dull, rehashed sequels until the franchise was dumped.
The Two Towers/Return of the King? But you lost me at Hellboy 2 to be honest.
You didn’t think it was better than the original? I’m not saying it was a great movie, but it was better than the first.
I was thinking of LOTR, but that’s more of a fantasy epic than an action movie. Plush ROTK came out in ’03, so doesn’t count 😛
Hmmm fair point. Hellboy 2 probably was a lesser bad of the two 😛
Haha yeah, I have a soft spot for Ron Perlman 🙂
Have you seen that movie Frankie go boom where him and Charlie Hunnam make out?
I have not… but it’s not that kind of soft spot!
More like a ‘I will watch whatever trash movie this is because Ron’s in it’ kind of soft spot. I have the same thing for Nicholas Cage (I am the reason he keeps getting movies green-lit… please don’t judge me).
I would have thought the new dog might have mellowed him somewhat.
Someone probably shoots it >.>
Morpheus is fightin Neo!!
*Drops food and runs over to the monitors*
I came here to ask if John Wick 1 was any good but the comments would seem to answer that already.
The action is very, very impressive, but honestly the script feels like it was written by a dull-witted ten year old boy on his first dose of testosterone. Can’t in good conscience recommend.
Couldn’t be any worse than Crank, could it? That was so bad I can’t believe Stratham agreed to it.
For the record, John Wick isn’t actually a bad movie. The direction and stunt work and action elevate it beyond the terrible script in a way that should be impossible.
It’s just that I, as a writer and self-confessed snob, can’t recommend this film.