Even Keanu Can't Kill John Wick

Rating: 7/10 (27 February 2017)

Sequels are always met with cautious optimism and nervous anticipation--and rightly so because they have such a terrible track record on average. John Wick was no different. I thoroughly enjoyed the first one so of course I wanted to see the second yet was prepared for a massive letdown as well.
John Wick Chapter 2 did not disappoint. Keanu Reeves still can't act (I mean he really can't act) but even he couldn't kill John Wick. We got the same dynamic gun play, skillful knife fights and plenty of UFC style groundwork. But, what I particularly enjoyed about John Wick was the method in which they brought him back into the game.
The writers were very creative and clever with the story, which was a huge relief. Sometimes, in effort to get to the action, we get a rushed and poorly thought out plot just to get to what the production team thinks we want to see anyway--the action. Yes, it's true that we want to see the shooting, fighting and other mayhem, but some of us would rather there be a viable (or at least plausible) reason for the action. JW Chapter 2 gave us a more than acceptable reason for bringing John Wick back into the world of assassinations and vengeance.
Along with the exciting gun play we were treated to more exposure to the well developed and sophisticated machinations of the criminal underworld. They had a network of people, organizations and resources that rivaled the government. This movie was extremely cool and has deftly paved a way for a part three.