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Cinema John Wick: Chapter 4 - Not as Good as the First One, Better Than 3

Arnox

Arnox

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And so, we finally come to the end of this blood-soaked journey. And I'm pretty happy to report that I liked it. Perhaps the biggest issue with it is that unlike any of the other films, it seems pretty light on world-building. But then again, the first three movies already showed all the basics, so I guess there's not really much else to build on. Chapter 4 in comparison gets right to the point and finishes everything off pretty satisfactorily, if kinda predictably. In this regard, I'm actually reminded of Halo 3's campaign which pretty much did the same thing, wasting no time whatsoever wrapping things up and ending it all with little world-building.

One thing I also liked about this movie is how there's always at least some justification for all the rule-of-cool stuff that happens within it. There's still the really glaring issue of why so few assassins in this universe are snipers, but it's a problem even the first movie sorta had although at least we did see one in there. For the next three movies, it seems the filmmakers forgot that sniping was indeed a thing. But then again, we also have to be fair, and in this universe, sniping would probably end the movie within 5 minutes, so I'm not really mad at all that they had a convenient lapse of memory here.

I do have to say though. Although I really like all his lines and his non-verbal acting is on-point, Bill Skargard as the Marquis just could not deliver his lines properly at all. I know that he was actually pretty pumped for the role, but his delivery just comes off as really flat. It's kinda the same issue that Hayden Christensen has where no matter what they do, their line delivery comes off as flat and uninterested. Sometimes, peoples voices are like that and it very sadly precludes them from most acting in my opinion. It really sucks and it's unfair to have to be born with that, but it is what it is. Just like how some people just can't be pilots, some people just can't be actors.

Although I think it took one movie too long to reach this conclusion, I am pretty happy with the conclusion with John dying at the end. (Or definitely seems to.) I also appreciate that during Chapter 4's runtime, they make the end of his path pretty damn clear. For a man like him, there isn't really anywhere else for him to go from here on out but six feet down. Helen and assassinations are pretty much what drive Mr. Wick, and when those are gone, what is left? Not much. So it is good that the filmmakers found a way to ensure that his death had some meaning to it in the story.

Oh, and one more thing. Where the HELL is Ciscandra Nostalghia? (She did some of the tracks for both the first and second movie and even had a cameo in the second.) Le Castle Vania makes a comeback thankfully, but Ciscandra is absolutely nowhere to be found. I was pretty disappointed. The end credits song is pretty good though at least, if a little short.

So, definitely give Chapter 4 a watch, but just keep your expectations in check.
 
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