John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
A friend of a friend hooked me up with his Plex server so I finally got around to watching this.
***Unmarked spoilers ahead***
I have a bunch of thoughts below. Overall, it’s awesome. I don’t know how the filmmakers keep managing to up the ante without treading into absurdity. Alright, surviving getting shot off a building is almost there, but l accept John Wick’s ability to survive all manner of near-death situations. Also, that looked cool so 🤷‍♀️
1. I’m glad Lionsgate or whoever added “Chapter” to the title because for the longest time, this was known as John Wick 3: Parabellum and that low-key bugged me.
2. I hate one thing about this movie: Wick doesn’t leash his f-ing dog at the beginning. Come on, man.
3. People always mention Sofia’s dick-munching dogs. Yes, that scene was awesome. However, are we just not going to talk about the fact that John Wick incapacitates two assassins by slapping a horse to make it kick said assassins in the face? I saw that and was like, “Jebus, did that just happen?” I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. Good on director Chad Stahelski for only doing that twice. Clever the first time, do it again because yeah, still pretty cool then move on. If I had to nitpick, I feel like getting kicked in the face by a horse would toss a person back. Still awesome though.
4. I think I like the story in Chapter 2 a little more, but Chapter 3 is a better sequel (and movie) due to how it builds on the previous story. Chapter 2 doesn’t necessarily happen because the original happens. Santino could have invoked the blood oath at any point; it wasn’t necessarily because Wick took down Viggo’s entire operation. Chapter 3 happens as a direct result of the events of Chapter 2. I don’t know if I’m explaining this well. I just like the way Chapter 3 built off of Chapter 2 better than the Chapter 2 built off the first movie, but Chapter 2’s story is a little more focused. Chapter 3’s story is still good, but it’s tasked with doing a lot more.
5. Nice to see Mark Dacascos still getting work.
6. Also nice to see Lance Reddick finally do literally anything of note in this film series.
7. I didn’t love the whole man-above-the-High-Table thing. That’s the only trope-y thing I can think of in a film series that generally doesn’t do that. In Chapter 2, the series even plays on that. The movie starts with some grade A misdirection with Viggo’s previously never mentioned brother, Abram, having Wick’s car then basically saying, “Well, don’t want any part of this ****...”. Pair that with the stunt casting of Peter Stormare, and it was *chef kiss*
The Elder has Wick’s wedding ring. We all expect that dude is getting hella murdered, right? There’s no point in introducing that character only to have him **** off forever.
8. I will admit to a misreading of the original John Wick. That’s why I originally pegged it as awesome albeit dumb fun. The movie and series are surprisingly deep for those who are looking for more. The original John Wick isn’t merely about a man getting revenge because some punk killed his dog and stole his car. The subtext is John Wick is a grieving widower who was already suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (from you know *broadly gestures at John’s entire life*), and he takes his **** out on Ioseph (and anyone who gets in the way of that goal). His wife, Helen, was the only thing in his life keeping those demons at bay.
Chapter 2 suggests John Wick would just go home and seal up how guns forever and ever, but he can’t, right? Not really. It’s only a matter of time before some other **** pushes him over the edge again. Mental illness doesn’t make John Wick weak; it makes him even more dangerous because he’s also really good at murdering. That plus the expert world-building makes me appreciate the series even more than simply the action which I mean, absolutely is oh-my-gawd.
9. Spin-offs aside, I kind of want to see the series end with John Wick Chapter 5. In Chapter 4, Neo and Morpheus take down the High Table. In Chapter 5, John takes down The Elder. I also want to be surprised so maybe not that. Who knows?
10. I think my favorite overall action scene in the series is the night club shootout the original if only because of how well Think by Kaleida works to contrast the sheer mayhem happening. In terms of strictly action, I’ll have to watch all three again.
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