«Excessive Continuation of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Franchise»

The length of "John Wick: Chapter 4" is notably extended compared to the economical 90-some-odd minutes of its predecessor, resulting in a more-is-less epic that showcases the signature stunt work of the franchise while piling on action to an immense degree. Though the film holds an extra degree of sentimentality, it is a bittersweet result of what happened outside the recording, with the unexpected passing of co-star Lance Reddick. Despite his limited presence, his scenes carry a sobering atmosphere.

Keanu Reeves stars as the taciturn hitman of the third installment in the John Wick series, this time attempting to extricate himself from his connections to the High Table, a mysterious organisation. One way or another, he will have to battle with a formidable array of opponents - namely, Donnie Yen as Caine, an old friend and partner, who is reluctantly obligated to do him in, and Shamier Anderson as a mysterious mercenary and his lethal canine who accompany him. Of course, all of this will culminate in a violent path of destruction and a showdown with the organisation leader (Bill Skarsgård) who has put a high price on his head.

Director Chad Stahelski brings humor to the table with Caine’s hesitancy and the movie’s over-the-top violence, noticeably elongating the destructive sequences until the audience is overwhelmed by it. The quality casting in the backing actors is again a huge benefit, most notably Ian McShane’s Winston – whose talent for stealing every scene he appears in remains unsurpassed.

The sole issue here is that, with such a vast canvas and generous amount of intricate action parts – including a prolonged fight on the crowded streets of Paris – Wick can’t help but re-use the same fighting style (punch, shoot, repeat) incessantly, thus becoming more tiresome than exhilarating.

The fourth chapter of the “John Wick” franchise is set to be released in US theaters on March 24, illustrating the equity associated with the famous name and its star, Keanu Reeves. The muscular action-heavy entertainment ensures an exciting experience for viewers, even if Reeves isn't paid by the word.

At one point, Caine quips “Let’s get this s**t over with”, prompting chuckles from the crowd. However, by the time “Chapter 4” concludes, the line takes on a more serious and literal meaning.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” carries an R rating.