We have arrived in the month of release for the next John Wick film. As our coverage on the latest installment really kicks into gear, I wanted to make sure I got in my thoughts about its 2019 predecessor well before then.
I find John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum significant in that of the timing of its release. Apart from it being the year before the world turned upside down, this alongside the releases of Always Be My Maybe and Toy Story 4 marked what we now refer to as the Keanussance. But otherwise, I went into this one just as in the dark as I was about the first two.
In chronological order, here are my thoughts and reactions to John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum:
- John Wick has the taxi take his dog to the Continental: It’s so good to see that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect his dog from the danger he’s now up against.
- John finds a book that turns out to not be a book, featuring a cross pendant, coins, and a photo of him and his wife: Why didn’t I see that coming?
- John kills attempted assassin with only the book: Death by book: that’s got to be a new one.
- The doctor from the Continental still helps John out, even after excommunicado goes into effect: I like this guy. It’s good to know that John still has friends out there.
- The doctor has John shoot him to make it look as if they were in a fight: I mean… I guess that’s one way of showing up for each other.
- Fight scene in weapons room: How convenient for this fight scene to break out where everyone has access to a variety of weapons around them. Imagine if this occurred in the chandelier area from earlier…
- The dog arrives at the Continental and is welcomed in: That dog better remain okay! He’s not the one who broke the rules.
- Fight breaks out at horse stable: Is this all this movie is going to be: a cat and mouse chase in a wide variety of settings?
- John riding on horseback: This is a sight I didn’t think I needed to see. It’s quite breathtaking (see what I did there?), despite the circumstances.
- The scene at the ballet rehearsal: I have no idea what’s going on. Who’s the woman John is talking to and why do all the ballet dancers look so unhappy to be there?
- They walk into a room where people are practicing wrestling: Okay… what kind of theater is this?!
- The Adjudicator tells manager off for letting John get away: So is this individual what’s known as the final boss?
- John arrives in Casablanca: So he left without bringing his dog? I hope that means he’ll come back for him.
- The Adjudicator recaps John’s actions from recently to Zero: Wait… so all of the films up until now were all over the course of a very short time span? I wonder if that will still be the case for the fourth film.
- The Director gets stabbed in the hands for helping John: How come she wasn’t given a week like the others? Why was she stabbed in the hands like that?
- Sophia: “He shot my dog.” John: “I get it.”: Yeah, I do too.
- John’s reasoning for wanting to live: That is deep; wanting to live in order to keep the memory of someone alive.
- John stabs his ring finger off: Why are deals so painful to make in this field of work?!
- Zero reveals to John at the Continental what a fan he is of him: Wait… where is this coming from? Is this the same guy who nearly killed him on the doorsteps to the Continental not even two minutes ago?
- Dog runs up into John’s lap and give him kisses: Aww! He missed him so much!
- John enters a room with lit up display cases: Oh wait… I’ve seen clips from a fight scene that goes down in here. It’s like this film’s version of the mirror scene from Enter the Dragon.
- Winston: “If you want peace, prepare for war.”: Why?! Why can’t peace be acquired without going to war (and it’s a question that can be asked for situations beyond just the one portrayed in this film)?
- John and Charon load up rifles, while Winston watches in the background, classical music playing: I will never get over how nonchalant scenes like this are, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.
- Fight scene in the lit up room: This film has really mixed it up as far as the variety of settings for fight scenes go, but I think this one is top tier. I can see why it was saved for the third act.
- The Adjudicator: “We are high table.” Winston: “And we are New York City.”: Oh! I felt like that was a burn he just dropped right there.
- Winston shoots John off the roof: Wait, what? Okay, I know he’s not dead, but… what?!
And that is that. I don’t have much else to say apart from what has already been written here. If you’ve been following along, then you well know by now that I really don’t care for this film franchise. Do I regret watching it? No. I’m just saying that it’s not for me, and that’s okay.
While I personally won’t be watching the fourth film, I wish nothing but a good time to those who will be.