Director
Chad Stahelski
(JOHN WICK, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2)

Stars
Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Asia Kate Dillon and Lance Reddick

This third and most likely final chapter in the John Wick film series is a strong addition to the franchise that might be its best and ensures the action trilogy remains consistent, but does also wind up being the most uneven of the three instalments.

Picking up just one hour after the finale of JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is minutes away from being declared “excommunicado” and having a $14 Million bounty placed on him by a secretive global association of crime organizations that enforces the assassins’ code, known as “The High Table”. As he tries to flee New York City, John is viciously targeted by several hit men and women who are more lethal than any he has faced before.

In similar vein to what has been showcased to date in the John Wick films, a healthy percentage of the fight sequences in chapter 3 are creatively conceived, impressively choreographed and both thrill and enthuse audiences exactly as intended. During these scenes, of which most occur in the first half of the film, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM is a slick and brilliantly executed neo-noir action thriller. A few stand-outs for me include an early fight sequence situated inside the New York State Library, the first of a few knife fights and the contributions from Sofia (played by Halle Berry), an assassin from John’s past, along with her very well-trained killer canines.

However, also in similar vein to previous chapters, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM isn’t an overall success. When its high-octane action isn’t at the forefront, there is a drop in momentum that is not due to the action temporarily residing, but because of a bloated running time and one or two less credible plot developments. That momentum drop can also be attributed to most action scenes throughout the second half just not quite having the same creative flare present in so many earlier sequences. Nevertheless, they do remain entertaining to watch.

One intriguing inclusion to this third chapter arrives from the time a new character known as The Adjudicator (played by Asia Kate Dillon from TV Series Billions and Orange Is The New Black) is introduced. This intimidating representative of The High Table makes a promising entrance and has real presence throughout, but is rather fizzled out by the end with the writing restricting her from walking any of her threatening talk.

All throughout, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM seamlessly arouses amusement during its action sequences, which is largely derived from these scenes being so graphic and squeamish in nature. Not to mention gaining appreciation by doing so too. As the last third of the film approaches and the finale to this series nears, the tone intensifies somewhat. But rather than fulfilling its climax by now bringing John Wick’s greatest adversary to the fore, it bizarrely gives its particular antagonist some comical material to physically and verbally perform that might delight some, but felt far too on the contrary in tone for me. A teasing finish, in more ways than one.

3 ½ stars

Viewer Discretion
MA15+ (Strong action violence)

Trailer
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM

Moviedoc thanks Studiocanal for the invite to the screening of this film.

Opens nationally on May 16

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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