John Wick Week - Part 4
Film
We've finally made it. After three film viewings in preparation I got my eyes on the newly released John Wick: Chapter 4!
But first, let's take a trip down memory road...
First, our review of John Wick explored the origins of our beloved Baba Yaga (Keanu Reeves). Looking at how writer Derek Kolstad and director Chad Stahelski were able to turn a modest budget film into a box office success and franchise creator its rather astonishing filmmaking.
Next, our review of John Wick: Chapter 2 dove into the continuation of John Wick's desire to be free of his old lifestyle. Pushing the action further and exploring the mythology of the High Table and Continental brought some much needed contextual depth to the franchise.
Lastly, our review of John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum reveled in the beauty of more wild action and the intricacy of Kolstad and co's latest and greatest story.
Now, we've reached the pinnacle of action filmmaking, John Wick: Chapter 4. This is not hyperbole for the sake of making waves either. There are numerous sequences in the film that actually melted my brain. I simply could not, and can not wrap my mind around how Stahelski was able to film them.
But before I get too deep in the weeds on that, allow me to preface this review by saying I will be staying spoiler free!! Celebrate accordingly, by going to see this movie and looking for what I'll be touching on!
Chapter 4 begins shortly after Chapter 3, which ended with Winston (Ian McShane) shooting John off the roof of the New York Continental in order to appease The Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon). John is rescued by the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) who has seemingly helped him recover from these events, kicking off the new Chapter. Now, John must navigate his way through excommunication (again), the High Table wanting him dead (still), and a double digit million dollar open contract on his head.
The primary antagonist of the film is in a similar vein as The Adjudicator, a High Table appointed vessel tasked with eliminating John Wick. This time it's the impeccably dressed Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) who has all of the resources of the Table at his disposal, giving us another awesome glimpse at the might of the mysterious organization. Speaking on Marquis' stylish wardrobe it is clear that everyone stepped up their game in the production design department. The fourth installment boasts some seriously cool costume designs, and set pieces that add incredible color and feel to the film. From the wealthy style of Marquis, to the gray suits of his guards/forces, and the sick pieces of the Osaka Continental members such as Shimazu (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Akira (Rina Sawayama) all of these clothing sets are superb. Stunning costume design, especially in action films such as John Wick: Chapter 4 add some panache, texture, and exquisite feel to support the story and action itself.
Production and set design are not only full of homages to the original John Wick with neon lit backdrops, but also smattered with newer and greater pieces that elevate beyond. Fighting in the Osaka Continental delivers the usual bright lights amongst the throngs of large glass panes and mirrors. Along with the classic giant LED screens in the back, there's gorgeous lighting that seems to be difficult to come by in most movies these days. Not only is the lighting effective but Stahelski employs an almost Guillermo del Toro inspired coloring scheme with hues of red, blue and yellow signifying emotional context. The Osaka Continental sequences are bathed in red neon lights, Marquis is surrounded by a giant yellow backdrop at one point pushing his unease and fear onto the viewer.
After watching the first three films and now the newest, one can surmise that Stahelski has not only experimented with each film but picked up new tricks to fiddle with. Nothing can prove this point more than the sheer fantasy of the action scenes in John Wick: Chapter 4. As I mentioned before there are countless that I can't even begin to fathom how they were shot. The biggest and boldest is a, probably ten or so minute long continuous shot with a bird's eye view as John goes from room to room in a building. If that doesn't sound all that impressive on paper, watch the film and come back to me when you've picked your jaw up off the floor. I don't think I can praise this sequence enough! Another phenomenal instance is a great bit at the Arc de Triomphe, fighting as cars come zooming by. Oh and how could I not mention the stairs leading up to the Sacré-Cœur!?
It is confounding that directors don't take swings like Stahelski in these types of film more often. He clearly had a vision, worked to execute it, and even threw in some wild twists and turns to spice it up even more. Delivering one of the best pure action films of the last ten years (or more) is a well deserved title for Stahelski and crew. Moreover, the addition of wonderful supporting roles kicks this film up another notch and the writers' room crafted them perfectly. Akira, Shimazu, Marquis and the Tracker (Shamier Anderson) are incredibly well done, writing and acting together. But I believe the true MVP of the film, is the ever awe inspiring Donnie Yen playing John's old friend Caine. Not only is he integral to the story, the themes of friendship and fighting for others, but his choreography is remarkable and his charisma is infectious.
There's been a lot of discourse lately, most in part to this film, of the Oscars including an award for stunts. Watching this film really makes it difficult to not rationalize the addition of such an award. Everything the stunt coordinators achieve in this film is ground breaking and needs to be treated as such! Of course you have people like Tom Cruise whose been pushing the stunts envelope for years but John Wick: Chapter 4 has some of the most incredibly executed stunt work out there. Of course, I'll have to wait for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 to see if that envelope gets pushed once again.
Froth
The final beer! If you recall I've been working my way through an Elysian IPA Variety pack, a combination of four different beers in a neatly packaged 12-pack. I've thus far enjoyed the Hazy '96, Full Contact Imperial IPA, and the Space Dust IPA. Now we've made our way to the coup de grâce, the Dank Dust IPA!
Similar to the upcoming Ballerina film set in the John Wick universe, the Dank Dust IPA is a spin off of the Space Dust IPA. The big difference? An extremely dank aroma.
Elysian doubled down on their idea of dank and found a way to distill the herbal aroma of multiple sources into an overpowering sensory symphony of smells. Not only does the aroma elicit thoughts of marijuana, it overrides any taste of beer and is extremely off-putting. I was immensely disappointed in this brew. I love a good classic Space Dust IPA so I figured the marketing for this spin-off was something of a gag, referencing some fresh dry hopped florals being more prevalent. Boy was I wrong.
Unfortunately I hamstrung myself into drinking this beer for the final John Wick, thinking they would both be dank, and it was a hollow experience. The movie soars at the highest degree and a great beer would've transported me to theater experience nirvana. So I'm not mad, just disappointed.
But seriously, John Wick: Chapter 4 is incredibly dank without any of the smell or the regret.
