John Wick: Chapter 2 [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2017]

John Wick wasn't designed for a sequel. It began with someone killing John Wick's dog, and ended with the vengeance-bent uber-assassin stealing a new best friend from an animal shelter, after dropping 76 dead bodies along the way. The movie succeeded not on the strength of its story, but on the elegance of its action, and while it reaches at times to justify its own existence, John Wick: Chapter 2 boasts a reunion with Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne and two major improvements on the original: First, no animals were harmed in the making of the film. And secondly, the human body count is significantly higher. If the latter detail offends your humanistic sensibilities, then this isn't the franchise for you. Even for Grand Theft Auto junkies and those at the other end of the spectrum, it can actually get tiresome watching Wick eliminate a seemingly inexhaustible stream of henchmen at times. But there's a quality to the violence here that elevates it above the literal and reprehensible nihilism of movies and instead achieves something more akin to dance. John Wick: Chapter 2 pits Keanu Reeves' titular character against the mean and nefarious of the criminal underworld. Once again, Reeves proves that he is a force to be reckoned with in this ridiculous, over-the-top sequel that is every bit as fun as the original. These types of films are rarely known for their artistic value but sets the bar pretty high, not only in its action, but in it's set design and camera work. This is pure escapist entertainment and is exactly what you're looking for. The look and feel of the film is very much in line with the first. It has beautiful, vibrant colors that compliment the violence and chaos. The sound is absolutely amazing with each gun sounding the way they should instead of using the stock machine gun or pistol sound which is something the original was guilty of at times. The performances are incredible and the direction of the action sequences is beyond impressive. This is a bigger John Wick and one that does a nice job at expanding on his world. The only issue that the film may have depends on your taste in action films. This is considerably longer than the original but it moves so fluidly and frenetic that it barely feels like it.

John Wick wasn't designed for a sequel. It began with someone killing John Wick's dog, and ended with the vengeance-bent uber-assassin stealing a new best friend from an animal shelter, after dropping 76 dead bodies along the way. The movie succeeded not on the strength of its story, but on the elegance of its action, and while it reaches at times to justify its own existence, John Wick: Chapter 2 boasts a reunion with Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne and two major improvements on the original: First, no animals were harmed in the making of the film. And secondly, the human body count is significantly higher. If the latter detail offends your humanistic sensibilities, then this isn't the franchise for you. Even for Grand Theft Auto junkies and those at the other end of the spectrum, it can actually get tiresome watching Wick eliminate a seemingly inexhaustible stream of henchmen at times. But there's a quality to the violence here that elevates it above the literal and reprehensible nihilism of movies and instead achieves something more akin to dance. John Wick: Chapter 2 pits Keanu Reeves' titular character against the mean and nefarious of the criminal underworld. Once again, Reeves proves that he is a force to be reckoned with in this ridiculous, over-the-top sequel that is every bit as fun as the original. These types of films are rarely known for their artistic value but sets the bar pretty high, not only in its action, but in it's set design and camera work. This is pure escapist entertainment and is exactly what you're looking for. The look and feel of the film is very much in line with the first. It has beautiful, vibrant colors that compliment the violence and chaos. The sound is absolutely amazing with each gun sounding the way they should instead of using the stock machine gun or pistol sound which is something the original was guilty of at times. The performances are incredible and the direction of the action sequences is beyond impressive. This is a bigger John Wick and one that does a nice job at expanding on his world. The only issue that the film may have depends on your taste in action films. This is considerably longer than the original but it moves so fluidly and frenetic that it barely feels like it. Overall, John Wick: Chapter 2 is a very good sequel. It has everything a sequel should have and doesn't disappoint. If you loved the first one then you're going to love this one.

If you liked John Wick, then you will probably like John Wick 2. If you didn't like the first, you are unlikely to enjoy the sequel, and if you never watched the original John Wick, then you should definitely watch that first. In what I guess is the "modern classic action hero" movie, the leading male is a morally rather ambiguous guy who has no qualms about killing when he thinks it's required, and is not much of a talker. From there, plots branch depending on things like: does he have partners, is there a "romantic interest", and is he supposed to be fighting for some cause much larger than himself. I know that Keanu Reeves seems somewhat unlikely as an action hero. He doesn't have the physique of an Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone. But when he acted in the Matrix trilogy, he seemed to fall in love with the martial arts. Bruce Lee was not a large guy either, but nobody could doubt his prowess. In the Wick films, Reeves combines martial arts for hand-to-hand fights with a large amount of gunplay. He doesn't fight for "noble" causes; his character fights because that is what he does best, and because sometimes not responding to a provocation would be unthinkable. So the basic idea is much like the first film but of course they have to try to make this one bigger and better. That involves a lot more travel; interesting foreign sets; and frankly, pumping up the body count. They are not embarrassed by the body count--in fact they are proud of it. In one of the "specials", they tell you exactly how many people died, and count them one by one in scenes! As in the first film, Reeves has very little dialog but when he does speak, some of his lines are pretty funny, so that is something else to watch for. I mentioned Bruce Lee--one scene in this film seems very much like an homage to a classic scene from one of his films. There is another interesting and dramatic scene with a female character. I won't say more, so as not to reveal any spoilers.

The first John Wick is arguably one of the best action films released in the last decade (if not longer). Does the sequel live up to the original? Yes and no. The action is still a spectacular mix of realism and over the top insanity; only bigger. The story, like the action, also aims for bigger. Unfortunately bigger isn't always better. For every major step forward the film takes by aiming for greater set pieces, shoot outs, and plot twists; it takes a small step back by reaching a bit too far. Maybe the fact that former co-director David Leitch stepped out to direct "Atomic Blonde" is a factor. While Chad Stahelski still has a firm hand on action set peices (with the aforementioned mix of realism and insanity) on his own, David Leitch's visual style is sorely missed. Still a worthy follow up to a modern action classic. Bring on "John Wick 3". Movie Rating: 8/10 While the film may have it's ups and downs, the special features are darn near perfect. You will learn just about everything you could possibly want to know about the film. The choreography, the guns, the cars, the fighting styles, the training for all the aforementioned, personal stories about Chad and Keanu' s almost 20 year long working relationship and friendship. Add a fun commentary and you have 2 plus hours of solid, yet informative, entertainment. Special Features Rating: 9/10 Final Rating: 9/10

There's a feature on this disc about the "unexpected success" of John Wick. That's an apt description, because I had expected to see Ted Theodore Logan shooting guns. Needless to say, John Wick was an excellent action movie, with a highly personal story that made me feel for the characters on screen. The sequel, however, fails to have the same impact. You still feel for John, and you'll hate the main antagonist, but everyone else seems to be a throwaway character. The most entertaining antagonist, however, is the mute assassin/bodyguard played by Ruby Rose. Common's bodyguard character is also solid, but really lacked some form of real connection to the audience. The action is top-notch, of course, and John Wick ends up taking a beating of truly John McLean-ian proportions by the end. While he was always superior to his opponents in the original, here he seems to be on more even footing, though still deserving of being called the Baba Yaga. But, whether by the Curse of the Sequel or being too hyped after the surprise of the first installment, John Wick Chapter 2 just fails to truly reach the level of the original, though it gets quite close.

Official Synopsis: In this next chapter following the 2014 hit, legendary hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins' guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world's deadliest killers. Special Features: Audio Commentary with Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski Deleted Scenes "RetroWick: Exploring the Unexpected Success of John Wick" Featurette 'Training John Wick" Featurette "WICK-vizzed" Featurette "Friends, Confidantes: The Keanu/Chad Partnership" Featurette "As Above, So Below: The Underworld of John Wick" Featurette "Car Fu Ridealong" Featurette "Beat Down: The Evolution of a Fight Scene" Featurette "Wick's Toolbox" Featurette "Kill Count" Featurette "Dog Wick" Short

This follow-up to John Wick sees Keanu Reeves back in fine form as a retired contract killer who, upon breaking an indenture to another killer in line for head of the Italian Mob - if his sister 'steps down' - finds himself at odds with every international killer on the planet, literally. After a harrowing run-in with assassins in Italy, following the destruction of his home by his former benefactor, John has to lay low for awhile as he soon breaks the ultimate rule among assassins. I won't give much away except to say the exceptional underworld touched upon in part one now has clear-cut rules in the mode of Highlander, which this clearly borrows rule No.1 from: No spilling blood on sacred ground. Go find this one. I bought it sight unseen, based on my love for Part 1, which I found at the Ballard Library. Well worth your time!

I was a huge fan of the original John Wick. It was a pleasant gem that was recommended to me by a friend. John Wick 2 leaves off where the first one ended. Keanu reeves stars as the John Wick, a hitman who wants to retire from his profession after the death of his wife. John Wick 2 opens up the world that Wick once belonged and gives as a glimpse of what his life once was. John is trying to retire peaceful but a blood marker is called in and John is forced to be the hitman he so desperately once behind. The job is not as simple as it is presented. John is double crossed and must fight for his life as he transforms for hitman to prey. Like the first one, the second one is action packed from beginning to end. If you are fan of the first I highly recommended the second. Easily 4 and half stars out of 5.