The spectacular life of 'the Boogeyman' John Wick, for the most part, remains unseen by us, yet just the magnificent performance he delivers a few weeks after the tragic death of his beloved dog surprises us viewers, who have been dizzy from Hollywood action movies for several years. According to director Chad Stahelski and lead actor Keanu Reeves, 'John Wick 4' will be the conclusion of this saga. Just as I had sky-high expectations for the final installment of 'STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker,' I also hold lofty hopes for this film. However, similar to the dreadful experience with 'STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker,' I also worry that the movie may not meet its own expectations.
Fortunately, my worries were completely unnecessary.
After being betrayed by Winston in the previous installment and rescued by the leader of the Bowery, John is ready to seek revenge against the High Table that has taken everything from him. Faced with the brutal opponent Marquis de Gramont, John discovers a possible pathway to freedom: a one-on-one duel with the Marquis.
Action sequences, of course, are a major highlight of this series. In the fourth installment, the action team clearly understands that even the most thrilling action scenes would eventually bore the audience if they just watch Wick continuously battle through levels, especially with a runtime of nearly three hours. Thus, they expanded the approach used in the third installment, which is to vary the settings and fighting styles. In the third installment, the settings ranged from New York to North Africa, and the fight scenes featured Halle Berry as a dog handler and Japanese sushi master wielding a katana, adding diversity to the combat visuals.
In this installment, John practically travels around the world, battling on horseback in the desert, visiting Osaka to find Hiroyuki Sanada, heading to Berlin, and finally arriving in Paris. The Osaka hotel battle serves as the first formal fight scene in the movie. Japan, being a nation renowned for martial arts and weaponry, offers a plethora of elements, making this scene extremely enjoyable for me. The assassins wielding bows and knives having a fair fight with a fully armed gunman squad hints at the director's fondness for Japanese martial arts (if I’m not mistaken, the Japanese segment is also the longest single fight scene in the entire film, apart from the finale in Paris). The highlight in Germany is probably the chubby killer Killa; even though the actor donned a fat suit, his agility during the fight still revealed his actual physique. The final battle in Paris can be described as diamond-level. Here, the team's ever-increasing creativity deserves praise, as they ingeniously designed action sequences utilizing the dangerous characteristics of the bustling Arc de Triomphe, where John sometimes doesn't even need to fire a gun—passing vehicles can do the killing for him. I was grinning throughout the subsequent dragon's breath massacre and stair-rolling game sequences; the dragon's breath segment contributed to photography that I believe is strong enough to earn an Oscar nomination.
Not only were the settings varied, but the cast also expanded. Newcomers to this installment include Hiroyuki Sanada, who last year went on a killing spree in 'Bullet Train,' Donnie Yen as Caine, Scott Adkins in a fat suit, dog handler number two Shamier Anderson, and the first-time big screen appearance of Rina Sawayama, among others. I see Sanada's character as merely a renamed version of the elder from 'Bullet Train'—nothing special. More interesting is Donnie Yen as Caine; his martial arts clearly depart from the series' traditions, showcasing a distinct Hong Kong action film style. The fresh air he brings may even influence Wick, as he discovers Chinese nunchakus in a Japanese weapons exhibit and even pays homage to Bruce Lee a few times. In terms of screen time, Caine is also the only fighter, apart from the Marquis’s forgettable right-hand man, who appears throughout the entire film, positioning him almost as the second male lead. Whether it’s a brilliant scriptwriter or Donnie Yen's talent, this character is filled with just the right amount of humor, combined with the actor's remarkable martial arts background, creating a possibly the most charming character of the entire film.
As mentioned earlier, if the entire film only featured Wick fighting through to the end, audiences would definitely tire of it. Therefore, the director evenly provided opportunities for supporting characters, including Caine, to shine. Rina Sawayama's archery, the dog handler's explosive attacks, and Hiroyuki Sanada's combined knife and gun tactics all give the audience a chance to realize that the world of assassins is not solely appealing because of John Wick. At the same time, we also see the director's skill in grasping different styles of combat, making us look forward to his more diverse works in the future.
Next, a relatively rare opinion, but I sincerely believe that the dramatic standards of the 'John Wick' series are quite high. Each moment of respite between fight scenes carries a precise atmosphere—it’s warm when it needs to be warm, humorous when it’s supposed to be humorous, and tense when it’s meant to be tense. I also feel that character development is one of the series' strong suits; every line and expression clearly communicates the type of person each character is. Furthermore, I've noticed that the most captivating aspect of the entire series, aside from the action, is the rare human warmth found within this terrifying underground world.
From the first installment onward, we feel that although John is a dreaded 'Boogeyman', he is also deeply respected rather than feared by the people around him. The hotel manager, car dealership owner, theater director, and former romantic interests—they are all willing to take on the risk of trouble or even death, each in their own way, to help John, showcasing that even as John kills, he does not forget to be a good person. In this installment, the significance of human relationships seems to outweigh order, as the Osaka hotel manager sacrifices his life to protect John; the dog handler, initially hired to hunt John down, ignores the contract after John helps him out; even Caine initially takes the job to kill a friend only reluctantly, due to his daughter’s influence. Such loyalty is the treasure most worth cherishing in this blood-soaked world.
Finally, John Wick kills the arrogant Marquis and attains the freedom he has dreamed of. However, having previously expressed the desire to continue living to preserve memories with his wife, he ironically fulfills the ancient man's prophecy at the beginning: the only way John Wick can achieve eternal freedom and peace is through death. Faced with such a conclusion, I initially felt regret, but upon reflection, for John Wick, perhaps distancing himself from this chaotic world may be an acceptable outcome. As the director said, while spin-offs can keep being made, John Wick's story could very well be concluding here. I would gladly accept this epic piece of art as the final chapter, just as long as the director doesn't follow the path of a certain franchise next door. I just wish that in that world, the Boogeyman can find peace and joy with his beloved wife every moment.
Goodnight, Mr. Wick.
(This article is dedicated to Lance Reddick, who passed away on 2023/3/17)