John Wick 2 (2017) – Review

The original John Wick was an entertaining and surprising, action-filled revengefilm which introduced its viewers into the world of assassins and on of the most professional and notorious ones, played by Keanu Reeves. It was an unexpected hit and it was only a matter of time before a sequel would be released. Does director Chad Stahelski manage to deliver another great action film?

After John had his revenge in the first movie, he still had to get his car and that’s exactly how this second part opens. It’s immediately clear that the film continues in the same vein as the original, unflinching action and enjoyable fights. In both man to man combat as in cars Reeves shows his character still is a bad ass that is almost impossible to beat. With a couple of funny winks to part 1 the movie opens strong. Once Wick gets home and is ready to leave the past behind him he is visited by someone he knows where he still has an oustanding debt. Because of the rules in the world of assassins he can’t refuse the assignment, even though he knows it will create more issues. He has to kill the sister of the man who puts out the hit. She’s in the high council and has a lot of power. John Wick has to travel to Italy to find her and pay his debt.

 If you were a fan of the original that this is an absolute must-see. It shows more of the world John Wick operates in and has a couple of moments you probably won’t have seen in any other movies (at least I can’t remember an informal shootout using silencers in a busy station). It is also filled with violent, tightly choreographed, headshot-filled action. With an added layer of humour and self-mockery. A movie which knows how to balance all those elements. A movie which is bigger and probably even a bit better. And that’s all you really need to know.