So many times in the history of Hollywood has there been the big hit followed by a sequel that flops, which leads to the question of whether or not the sequel even should have been made. I can only think of a handful of movies where the sequel was even better then the original movie itself, with the most glaring example to me being “Aliens”.
“John Wick: Chapter 2” is the new film directed by Chad Stahelski, who’s only prior directing experience was directing the original “John Wick”. He re-teams with Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, Speed), Ian McShane (Deadwood, Kung Fu Panda), Lance Reddick (The Wire, Fringe), and John Leguizamo (Ice Age, Moulin Rouge!), while adding Common (Selma, Wanted), Ricardo Scamarcio (Burnt, Loose Cannons), Ruby Rose Break Free, Orange is the new Black), and Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix, Mystic River). John Wick (Reeves) is still trying to leave his life as an assassin behind him and move on with his life when he is approached by Santino D’Antonio (Scamarcio), who wants to call in a blood marker they have together. Reluctantly, John goes to do the job in Rome, where he is put into a world of bounties and double crosses.
This film has the same look and feel as the original, with good lighting, sets, and locales matching the desired moods. To the acting, Reeves does very well, continuing on from its predecessor. There is some returning cast, who filled their roles well like in the original, such as McShane and Leguizamo. Common and Fishburne did well in their new roles and I thought Common did better than I expected as a rival assassin. But my shout out has to go to Ruby Rose, who plays a mute assassin and D’Antonio’s main henchperson. She did not say a word, but her character was commanding by just her actions.
The movie flows well overall, but it is two hours long and maybe felt a little long compared to the original. The plot does get a little complicated at times and you will have to follow some of the film closely. I liked how the film branched off from the original and shows the life of the underworld, with great action and a good mix of a serious plot and action. This is not one of those action films with a simple plot, but it does work. This is not as good as the original but it still works, so I will recommend this film as twilight in the theaters.