It has been nearly 10 years since I first walked into a theatre to see the original John Wick and not knowing what to expect. There was sort of a low key rumbling about this movie being pretty cool, but I don’t remember any big over-hyped anticipation.
The immediate response after the 2014 film was “you know, that was pretty awesome. I think I need to see it again.”
Here we are in 2023, and John Wick’s exotically violent journey has stretched into four massive hits, all which have been more enjoyable (flaws and all) than the last four James Bond films put together.
I was able to see John Wick: Chapter 4 the evening before the official opening, and took the weekend to mull it over a little bit before giving a small, more honest review. Believe me, if I came home and immediately tried to type up a story it would have been nothing but “Fuck, yeah!!!! That was awesome!!” as I was on an adrenaline high from the movie that lasted through the better part of the next day. I mean, I’m not as much of a movie reviewer as I am a perpetual fangirl for our dog loving, well-dressed sad sack, and the dark villainous underworld he lives in.
Now, I can look back and with reflection and still say with a little more reasoned honesty “Fuck, yeah! That was awesome, but with some flaws.”
When a movie gets past the now acceptable and expected trilogy stage, people want to really see something grand to make it worth a fourth trip back. John Wick 4 was certainly grand. It was visibly gorgeous in set and character styling, driven by both action and story, with over-the-top crazy fight scenes that we have no problem believing.
My expectations were high, as well, and I last week I mentioned four things I really wanted to see in this movie. If I just got these four things from that film, I could leave the theatre satisfied. Did I get my wish? Yes, very much so, but first here’s what I felt were the movie’s two main down sides.
First and foremost, the running time was about a half hour longer than it needed to be. This isn’t a criticism exclusive to the John Wick world. I think movies are getting too long in general, as everyone wants to pack as much story into the plot as possible. Directors don’t want to chop up their babies, so to speak. I think a good two hours tops is about perfect for any tight storytelling. Maybe a few of the “deep conversations” could have been snipped down a line or two, but I don’t envy the editors who have to do that. Not everything has to compete with long-form series on streaming services, or with Cecil B. Demille.
Also, I love the dark humor in these these films. This might be too telling about me as person, but I appreciate it. However, one of two of the jokes seemed a little too Deadpool, as in almost breaking the fourth wall for a laugh and wink towards the audience. You’ll notice them right away, and the gags were certainly funny. It was just a little distracting when you are ready for the big finish.
Now for the my big four questions posed last week: mainly the use of creative weaponry, hot-guy-in-suit gun-fu, worthy Donnie Yen action, and a solid ending.

The weaponry variety was sadistically glorious, and I’m feeling a little dirty admitting how much I loved it. There weren’t only ample firearms, but they were shown off like museum pieces. Keanu Reeves knows his way around pretty much anything from pistols to nunchucks, and a few items even I didn’t expect. I mean, that man’s an absolute beast in those action scenes, and each weapon was a perfect part of the dance. I would love to give you a few examples, the but the WTF moments are part of the fun.
As for my fangirling over tough dudes in suits going after each other. Yes, there were plenty, and you dudes will love it, as well. The wardrobe for both the men and women in this film was fantastic, and part of what made this world just a little beyond reality. As it should be. John Wick is really a fantasy world of assassins and secret organizations, none of which could happen in the real world if you think too much into it. Don’t however, and just enjoy the twisted journey.

You would think with all the new characters this movie introduced, it would get confusing, but the story was handled in a very episodic way. You went from location to location, situation to situation, all with little self-contained conflicts to overcome. Gamers will appreciate this fact, especially when you have to face each “boss.” Each good-bad-guy and bad-good-guy was more badass than the next. You loved the guys on your side. You loved to hate the ones who weren’t. And you also loved the ones who you weren’t sure which side they were going to land on.
That, of course includes, Donnie Yen’s Caine, a new character who got nearly as much focus as John Wick. Well-deserved, too. Yen’s ability for perfectly timed and executed swordplay is like watching a Bolshoi ballet dancer nail the movies in Grigorovitch’s Spartacus. If you weren’t a fan of this dude before, you will be.
Actually, the one way this fourth movie prevailed over the others is even when Wick wasn’t in the story, you were invested in the face-offs between the other characters. There were the two badass daughter-dads (Yen and Hiroyuki Sanada) with mutual respect for each other yet looking out for their own families. There were the two “old guys” (Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne) getting together to exchange some wisdom and wit.
And there was the new fan-favorite and dog lover Shamier Anderson as Tracker, in one of the most intense and painful scenes in the movies facing off against Bill Skarsgård’s Marquis. That’s saying something about the characters if you can get interested in the new ones four films into a franchise.
As for the Lance Reddick’s passing just before the release of this film. Well, I’ll say this. There’s one powerful scene that will hit very differently knowing the man behind Charon has left us for good.
A little bonus was the scenic wonders of the ever-changing locations, from wide deserts to high-ceilinged gothic churches, and sensory-overloading techno nightclubs to upscale hotels. I would become an assassin just for a chance to stay in the Continental Osaka, which was so overwhelmingly beautiful, you almost forgot to watch what the characters were doing. Almost.
Finally, was there a worthy ending? Yes. I don’t want to get too much into it. I know the spoilers are flying. I’ll say it ended as it should. The story ended on Wick’s own terms. For those wondering, thought, the doggos lived happily ever after. You can safely go into this film if that is a reason for hesitation.
You know the term “fan service” has often been bandied around like some sort of slur for movies that are trying to hard to make people happy, but in the case of John Wick: Chapter 4 it was top-of-the-line, grade a, bad ass, high-calibre, and well served. thank you for your excellent service.
And, as a John Wick fangirl, I think I speak for many of us when I say to Reeves, director Chad Stahelski, and everyone involved with this one, thank you for the great service. It was a wild ride.