John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum continues the franchise’s love of violence, gunplay, martial arts, and high-stakes assassination.
John Wick 3 isn’t out to break new ground, reset expectations or hell, even change the calendar. Set immediately after Chapter 2, Parabellum is an extension of the franchise’s first two films.
John Wick 3 – The Story
The plot to Parabellum is the continuation of the previous installments. Wick, indebted to his mentor, Winston, has a bounty on his head. He and his trusty dog have a one-hour head start to find a hiding spot and survive the army of assassins coming after the very large bounty on his head. The only twist is in the politics of the assassins’ organization. Many of Wick’s previous allies are under the scrutiny of the High Table (the United Nations of assassins) and face consequences for helping him.
John Wick 3 – The Cast
These consequences are the business of the adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon (Orange is the New Black)) and her hitman, Zero (Mark Dacascos (Brotherhood of the Wolf)). The other primary players come from the earlier films. Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Randall Duk Kim reprise their roles.
Other exceptional additions to the cast include the menacing Angelica Huston and the driven Halle Berry. Berry’s Sophia becomes an excellent foil to Wick in the movie’s second act that includes an entire new flavor of stunts.
John Wick 3- The Stunts
Lion’s Gate films and 87Eleven entertainment have learned the formula for the success of the franchise. Like the Fast and Furious movies, the John Wick films are one quarter story and three quarters action. Executing that formula means a special combination of acting and action talent. Naturally, it all starts with Reeves as the focal point.
Credit for many of the stunts go to the following workers: Jonathon Eusebio (John Wick, Deadpool, Black Panther), Cale Schultz (Aquaman, Logan), Jackson Spidell (Captain America: Civil War), Jon Valera (Atomic Blonde), and Matt Berberi (Westworld). Sophia’s twin shepherds get an honorable mention for stealing the entire second act of the movie.
Conclusion
John Wick 3 ramps up the stakes and the violence. It has humorous moments, but in the end, it’s a Gun Fu movie that would make John Woo drool. It’s a tribute to Westerns and martial arts films that have paved the way for generations. Reeves and director Chad Stehelski continue to churn our material that entertains and excites fans. There still plenty of story left to tell for John Wick.
Long live the Baba Yaga.
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