"John Wick Chapter 2" Movie Review

John Wick Chapter 2 picks up right where the first left off. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is finishing his mission that he started and, once done, again attempts to leave the hitman life behind. But yet again John's past comes to haunt him. When John initially wanted to retire, old friend Santino (Riccardo Scamarcio) offered him a deal using a marker. A marker is essentially a blood oath between two people. Santino helped John get out of the hitman life if John swore to help Santino one last time at any point in the future. John refuses and that's when all hell breaks loose.

There are two rules you can never break in the hit business. One, no business will be conducted on continental grounds (which is basically the headquarters for the heads of the twelve mob families. It's considered sanctuary for anyone in danger) and two, markers must be honored no matter what. So even though John has lost everything, quite literally, he has no choice but to pull one last job.

The film itself was remarkable. The fact that Keanu did his own stunts, both driving and fighting, made the film feel all the more real. The acting was spot-on and the casting was perfect. Oh, and a little Easter Egg for all you Keanu fans out there, there's a fun reunion between Keanu and Laurence Fishburne in the film. When Laurence says, "You probably don't remember, but we met a long time ago..." I couldn't help but smile.

I do warn you that if you are susceptible to motion sickness, take something for it before you go see this. The final showdown takes place in multiple rooms filled with mirrors. Now, when I say filled with mirrors, I mean it literally. The floor, the walls, the columns, the fake-out walls - all mirrors. The multiple motions going on all at once made me a little queasy and I don't get motion sickness. So, just be wary of that.

In conclusion, the only complaint I really have is the fact that the further the film went, the more detached from reality it became. Could one man realistically take down hundreds of highly skilled goons? Sure John is the best of the best but after getting cut, shot, stabbed, and stitched only to repeat the process again seems like it would wear a man down to the point where he couldn't get up. I guess that's why John Wick is feared by so many. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side. I give the film a 3 out of 4.