John Wick: Chapter 2

Rating: 7/10 (24 October 2017)

The first film became a surprise box office hit, so it was unsurprising that there would be a sequel, I was definitely wanting to see it after hearing it made more money than the predecessor. Basically four days after the events of the first film, former assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) tracks down his stolen 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1, at a chop shop owned by Abram Tarasov (Peter Stormare), brother of Viggo and uncle of Iosef who he has killed. John kills Tarasov's men in a violent fight, the Mustang is heavily damaged, he spares Tarasov saying that he wants peace, and he returns home to his new dog, who he has not given a name yet. John's Mustang is taken to the chop shop of Aurelio (John Leguizamo) for repairs, after this he is visited by Italian crime lord Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio), it is revealed that John asked Santino for help for the "impossible task" that allowed him to retire and marry his wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan). Santino presents John a "blood oath" medallion, a "Marker", an unbreakable promise and form of contract, he demands John's services, but John refuses and claims he is retired. Santino retaliates and destroys John's house with a grenade launcher, John survives the explosion and heads to the Continental hotel in New York City, which caters exclusively to the criminal underworld and permits no "business" on its premises. The Continental's owner Winston (Ian McShane) reminds John that if he rejects the Marker, he will be violating one of the two rules of the underworld. John accepts his commitment and meets with Santino, he wants John to assassinate his sister Gianna (Claudia Gerini), so he can claim her seat on the "High Table", a council of high-level crime lords, John is under the surveillance of mute bodyguard Ares (Ruby Rose), personal bodyguard of Santino. John infiltrates Gianna's coronation party in Rome, he confronts her, faced with certain death she slits her own wrists, before bleeding to death in the hot tub he kills her, fulfilling his commitment to Santino. While retreating, Santino's men ambush John, intending to "tie up loose ends" and kill him, John kills most of the men, but is still pursued by Gianna's chief bodyguard Cassian (rapper Common), they have a brutal fight through the streets. The fight is halted when they reach the lobby of the Rome Continental, like in New York, there is no "business" on the premises, the two share a tense drink, Cassius vows revenge for Gianna's death. John returns to New York, under the guise of wanting to avenge his sister, Santino puts a $7 million contract on John for his death, numerous assassins attempt to kill John. Cassius catches up to him in the subway, John wins the ensuing fight, stabbing Cassius in the chest, he leaves him alive out of professional respect, warning him if he removes the knife he will die. John is injured and desperate, he seeks help from the underground crime lord The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), his subordinates treat his injuries and guide him to Santino's location. John kills Santino's bodyguards and mortally wounds Ares in a knife fight, but Santino is able to escape to the Continental, Santino is smug and says he intends to remain at the hotel indefinitely, despite warnings from Winston, John shoots and kills Santino in the Continental lounge. The next day, Winston has the contract on John doubled and offered globally, he has lost all access and privileges at the Continental, and resources to the underworld, but Winston does give John a one hour head start, and provides him a Marker for future use, before leaving John vows he will kill "whoever comes", and he flees with his dog. Also starring Lance Reddick as Charon, Thomas Sadoski as Jimmy, Commando's David Patrick Kelly as Charlie, Franco Nero as Julius and Peter Serafinowicz as Sommelier. Reeves remains fantastic as the former hit-man that will not be messed with, it goes in a different direction with the revenge element, with the antihero repaying a debt, then being double-crossed, the fast-paced editing, escalating body count and over-the-top death and fight sequences remain skillful and well choreographed, the violence still adds to the entertainment, it just about feels fresh as well, in all it is an enjoyable action thriller sequel. Very good!