@@FilmSpeak let me submit “What dreams may come” the film saw robin Williams literally go to hell from heaven to rescue his wife. What if John wakes up in hell and has to fight through to make to his wife in heaven.
The passing of Lance Reddick prior to the release of the film, makes the death of his character feel even more real as this is probably the last time we will see Reddick on screen. It felt like a perfect and respectful sendoff to the actor even though it was unintentional. When they mentioned how he has friend written on his gravestone, that just felt right. RIP
Yeah, it hits even harder with his tragic passing but I think it's even more beautiful how he ties into the heart of the movie. Loved him. He will be missed.
Actually, he shot some scenes in the spinoff that is coming called Ballerina earlier this year. I think it's coming out later this year. I hope they do some sort of dedication to him for that movie.
When I think of all the greats who quit acting after a bad experience whilst making a movie that flopped at the box office, going out with a whimper rather than a bang . . . Sean Connery, Gene Hackman . . . Hell, even Gene Kelly’s last major movie role was in Xanadu! At least Lance’s family and friends will always have this. Not many get to say they peaced out in one of the best movies of the early 21st century. And, I’m not ashamed to admit it. I choked down a lump in my throat. The honor was all mine, Lance.
@@ChrisHutton-fw5eg : That will be cool to see, if it shakes out that way in the final edit? But fans will always see this as his, “send off,” movie, I suspect? I’ve been a fan since The Wire. You?
My only nitpick is that I was hoping to see a scene like the one from the first where he’s captured. Keanu gave me goosebumps with his delivery but they kept him more of the silent killer in this one. Because of that it’s a 9.5/10 for me.
The four John Wick movies are a love letter to stunt men, and done in a epic way by a former stuntman. Appropriate. This movie, all of the John Wick movies, is a wake up call for Hollywood to FINALLY have a stunts category, as it requires as much talent to memorize 300 moves of fight choreo as it does to memorize lines.
I find myself pretending to knife fight with a coworker pretty often because of these movies. We go over the top. Not really stunts, but I love the extremes the violence reaches in these movies and it really meshes well with the crazy stunts.
The breakdown of the Berlin card scene is so perfect! You think you have the winning hand, you think you have the way out, but the “system” beat you from the start. That scene and sequence was fantastic!
I love how this movie closed John's story out. Personally to me. I think John, after everything, simply wanted to die and be reunited with his wife. One thing that isn't stressed throughout the movies is that chapters one through four take place in the span of a month or less. From the time John lost his wife it's been one fight after another and he hasn't had the time properly grieve. Santino took what was left of his life when he blew up his house. And it's just been one long rampage for him. And in that moment when John was in front of Santino in the Continental I think he knew and welcomed the consequences of what would happen if he killed him. He just wanted to die. But not before he did some serious damage to the High Table and what they stood for. Never cross a man that has lost everything and no longer has any ties to the living world. They could've stopped this but didn't bc they believed it would make them weak. What John did and how he did it. Put the fear of God in the High Table. Bc what made John dangerous is that he had no loyalty or fear of the High Table. And if there's one. There will be another.
That "simply wanted to die and be reunited with is wife" is just not true and way too cliche lol This "reunion with wife" or any reunion with a person who passed away is nothing but a myth because no one knows if that could actually happen. When a person dies, the living could only guess or make theories on what happens to the dead in the after life. And this is why John wants to live - to remember his wife. In JW3, when The Elder asked him, "Why do you wish to live?", John answered and I quote "My wife. To remember her. To remember us." This is the sole reason why he's fighting for his life. He wanted to live though, he will not take any bullshit from anyone. It may not be obvious because he doesn't really get physically angry but he has anger and temper issues lol When he's "mad", all he could think of is to just kill. That's where the purpose of Winston's character comes in since the first movie: To keep John centered and guided. Without Winston, he will just go on a killing spree for as long as he can lmao. Additionally, he doesn't give a fuck about the High Table or what they "stood" for nor he wants to do them any serious damage. The High Table keeps trying to kill John because he broke the rules but John doesn't care about the rules nor wants to do anything with the underworld anymore, he just wants his freedom. Even at the opening scene in JW4, he gave his last shot to beg for his freedom but The Elder's successor didn't listen.
I LOVE the Hotline Miami sequence. The Dragon's Breath rounds were a stroke of genius that helps see where everyone is shooting, along with all the dust squibs in the walls!
Dragon Breath rounds seen from a Birds Eye perspective in what looked like a single shot take…I put that up there with some of the best action sequences of all time. Loved the Osaka Continental fight scene and the club fight scene with Scott Adkins. This movie just knows its audience so well…the whole audience in my theater winced when he got kicked and shoved off the stairs on his way to the final duel.
I literally just finished watching in an actual theater (first time in three years) an hour ago. Genuinely my new favorite movie of all time, the ending was really satisfying and perfect. I absolutely adore this film
Same! Everyone clapped at the final kill! I've never had a movie where the audience was constantly cheering, laughing, gasping or clapping. That's what cinema is all about and JW Chapter 4 achieved exactly that "nostalgic" feeling of just going to the cinema and just having fun.
Only one thing marred it for me, but that was my own damned fault. My wife and I got up when we saw staff come in to clean up litter and I asked, “There’s no post credit sequence, is there?” She said, “Nah, besides, I always look those things up on RU-vid coz’ the credits take 10 minutes out of your life you’ll never get back.” And we left. Now I’m gutted to learn that there WAS one!
To me, Chapter 4 is more about how John was able to free himself from his persona as the Baba Yaga, Death's Emissary and the man that everyone fears, finding peace and freedom through his own death, as his survival would threaten and shake the foundation of the High Table, which would heavily disrupt the very integrity of the whole underworld. I am moved and touched by how a man decides to put "Loving Husband" on his grave, despite being the most feared and reputable man in the whole underworld. Shows the emotional depth of John towards freeing his life of killing and his sense of loss and love towards the only women that truly loved him. Chapter 4 really sets the bar up for the franchise, which I am very excited to see how the franchise will continue to show us a different side of each of the characters in the movie, such as Winston, Caine, or even how John met Koji Shimazu and Caine during their prime Definitely a must to watch Chapter 4 if you are a die-hard fan for the John Wick franchise!
And I believe that it's appropriate for him. I don't think John ever saw himself as a killer anymore after he got married. Just a husband. And even before that I don't even think he saw himself as the Baba Yaga but just a man.
This is the best review of Chapter 4 I’ve seen yet. Genuinely very insightful and thoughtful analysis that gets the the heart of Stahelski’s intention with John’s story. I see so many “critics” cherry picking parts of the film to push unhealthy agendas or bash certain demographics. This was introspective and genuinely well-spoken. Fantastic work.
Why do I have a hunch that by "cherry-pick certain scenes to push unhealthy agendas and bash certain demographics," what you really mean is "theh said something I disagree with?" 😂😂
When people say Keanu can’t act I take them back to the “yeah I’m thinking I’m back” scene from the first. His acting is 100% on point and you can feel his anger, wrath, and commitment from behind a screen in that whole interrogation.
You nailed it in your opening. I saw 4 on the big screen last night and I couldn’t sleep afterwards. I was left thinking, this is to stunt-action movies what Red Dead Redemption 2 is to video games. This could wind up being the high watermark, never to be matched? Nice to have lived to see that moment for myself, not so nice for the art form’s future. Even near rivals don’t have someone like Keanu, with his charm and international reputation, all of which enhances the high concept aspect of this as an action set piece affair, making it possible for an audience to love a psychotic serial murderer - a balancing act that the Bond movies have succeeded at with mixed results over the years. Only Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible movies come even close, yet we all have to leave any baggage about the star at the cinema door, rather than carry our love for the man into the movie with us. We all admire Cruise, and like what we see in interviews, but the thought of him belonging to a nutty cult with criminal instincts lurks somewhere in the back of our minds. While we feel we know who Keanu is and his reputation for kindness and gentlemanly behaviour, is legendary. As with RDR 2, people who understand the industries from which these achievements spring, cannot help but see an even greater shift toward cynical short-cutting and the increasing tendency for industrial levels of audience and staff exploitation . . . all for their money, of course. So receiving something of value that justifies the cost of the cinema ticket or video game is increasingly rare. I hope to be proved wrong about that, but the John Wick universe strikes me as a perfect storm of stunt men who turned directors and producers, international action icons, blue chip casting, imagination, lore, wit and beauty, (oh, the cinematography!) all melted down to fashion these four items of canonic perfection for lovers of the craft to treasure, like the rare gold coins with which Wick transacts his business. Sure, we all have a few more stashed in our collections. But we cannot help but fear that the mint will never make such quality again in a world that always seeks to debase the value with forgery and clipping.
John wick is gonna be hard to top as a series cause it is innovative with the way it displays action and proper technique that I just don't think many film teams have the patience to do
I remember stumbling on the 1st film a couple years ago & was instantly obsessed. Even my mom who’s not a huge fan of ultra violent action films was intrigued when I was raving about them. On a rainy weekend I convinced her to watch the 1st and we finished all 3 by the end of that weekend. Then while visiting this past weekend we had an awesome mother son movie date watching the 4th & even she was cheering on my man like me 😂
IF - They do a chapter 5 I can see it be John returning to finish off the high table, using his death as a way to hide and pick them off from the shadows. The thing is, it has to have heart. It has to have some sentimental emotional connection. Personally, I think 4 is a good send off. Do I think he's dead? Eh, no. I don't think so. But only time will tell if 5 would be worth it. This is a movie that will be VERY hard to top.
I very much doubt they will continue the John sick saga. I mean I don’t mind it being continued it will just be satire and milked if they do move forward for a 5th movie. The ending of 4 was the perfect stalemate to meet John wicks journey and continue his afterlife after freeing himself from the high table forever. There will always be a high table and it will be impossible for it to be finished as they will just bring more replacement each time. It was a perfect send off for johns story but no need for a 5th imo.
I don't think he's dead either. But that doesn't mean that I want a fifth film. This is quite possibly the most satisfying ending for me bc either way John finds peace. If he's dead, he's with his wife. If not, hes free from the table and living his life without killing. To throw him back into that life after getting his freedom would be redundant bc it'll be the third time.
@@donze123 To be fair, There was a recent post saying that Lionsgate is officially considering john wick 5 and if i remember correctly, john wick 4 and 5 was supposed to be filmed back to back then covid came and that had it's own issues so they just did only 4 instead, As for keanu and the directors wanting a 5th film, They left it up to the success of the film, And so far... The success is a lot, So a jw 5 is very possible, But we'll see.
I'm here after my second rewatch. It was perfect. You notice all the tiny details missed out the first time. Bullets dropping of his clothes when he takes them off. Perfect. 100/100
@@TheEphraimUchiha very much a perfect ending, but they said a while ago that they planned on filming 4 and 5 back to back. Now if that was actually done idk and this very much could be the end of John
The whole John Wick series is great, I recently did a rewatch and in retrospect the first movie shows its limited budget in some aspects and the first act was a bit slow at times, but everything else about it was awesome! I tried to show this movie to some people but many of them can only see the violance, not the story it tells nor the craftsmanship that went into it. That may be a matter of what culture we come from and what knowladge we have about moviemaking. I just wish even more people would apprieciate what those movies are beyond just "good looking guy kills hundreds over a dog"
If ever they're gonna make a chap5 ,it's gonna be like felina..Walter White coming from hiding one last time i.e John wick returning from shadows despite everyone inthe underworld knowing he's dead for one last time.
Awesome review! I def felt like the lack of lines for Keanu was the statement of the the Film. John Wick speaks with AcTiOn not words. It is an inspired film to cap off an inspired franchise that nobody saw coming and everyone wanted. After 4 films, to keep getting better, when it is essentially the same thing over, and over, and over, and over. Incredible. Chad Stahelski’s raw, novel, neo noir, concept in John Wick is honed to a razor sharp Katana that vibrates with the glowing red power of all the tortured souls in hell, for Chapter 4. It is criminal that Stunt men and women do not have an Oscar category. If they ever needed a use case as to why they should have one you don’t have to look any farther than John Wick: Chapter 4 or Mad Max: Fury Road. By the by: was it just me or did Donnie Yen look like he was having the time of his life in this film, holy shit did he add some serious mojo!
I love your in depth review on John Wick 4. You picked up on so many details and nuances that most people did not because all they want to see is an action movie or they just want to hate on it only because it is so popular. The movie is phenomonal and deserves all the praise and several Oscar noms including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Sound Design.
Yes! I’m so happy that Filmspeak feels this way! This movie was an absolute masterpiece! One of the greatest movies that I have ever seen! An absolute experience in a movie theater! When you feel that way after a movie, you know it’s one of the greatest. They way he explains the movie is fantastic and only adds to the overall experience of the movie. Thank you for this amazing video!
Honestly, the Marque reminded me a bit too much of napoleon. A man who used the chaos to rise to the top and at the end their arrogance killed them and had to deal with the consequences.
I love how "John Wick" is like how "Sherlock" is used to describe someone able to deduce something very easily or someone is showing off his or her intelligence. However, "John Wick" is used to describe anyone very proficient with guns, close quarters combat, and both in combination as well as able to improvise and adapt. The Resident Evil 4 Remake is the closest to fulfilling that fantasy of being "John Wick". Even though I want more John Wick, I am content with this being the end of his story. However, given how much attention and detail has been given to filming these movies with no unneeded cuts, it is very bizarre when they are talking about John Wick at his grave wondering where he is now, which comes off initially has whether he it in Heaven or Hell, they focus one the dog which suddenly perks up upon seeing something like it recognized something, giving the unintended implication that John Wick may not actually be dead. They seem to purposefully make it vague enough that either seems viable.
2 weeks ago, I had never seen a John Wick film, I watched the first 3 in a week and went to see 4 on opening night, and I agree, the whole franchise is probably the best example of action films going, superb.
The dragonbreath sequence or the stair sequence i cant decide, both are insanely awesome This movie and baby driver are the best movies ive seen in recent times.
You are spot on with your analysis. And, now that you mention it, why isn't there a spot on the Oscars (not that I give that much of a $hit about the Oscars) for stunts? 'Best Stunt', 'Best Stunt Performer' and 'Best Stunt Team'. If we had those I think both Keanu and Tom Cruise would be needing entire man-caves just for their Oscars for those categories.
My only complaint is John feels to invincible. He takes so heavy hits and big falls in this movie but he looks practically unscathed, I was hoping he’d look bruised and cut up like at the end of chapter 2
Im so damn relieved to hear how awesome this movie is, because to tell you the truth - based on the trailers it was looking to me like it sorta jumped and shark by being too over-the-top while also looking like the series had finally grown stale, (in the same sorta way some people believe was the case when it came to the previous installment in the series). Can't wait to see it!
I love how they reverse the structure of the action in this one in the first act it’s a epic scaled shootout in a architectural building (the Osaka continental) then the last act it’s mostly street focused action sequences. Add to that the fight choreography and stunts is an A++++++ in this movie
The team behind John wick, is like Rockstar is to gaming, this level of stuntmen behind the camera, and knowing what makes a good action scene, is unlikely to be gathered again.
I think this is a perfect movie. John wick 3 was one of my top action movies of all time, and this movie is even better than that, and is in my top 5 movies of all time. Its so amazing. Saw it twice, might even see it a third time
Each film delivers something special, it's truly worth marathoning, John wick 1 had the best story and build up, 2 had the best world building and expanding the lore, 3 had the best pacing and choreography and characters, 4 had the best set pieces and cinematography and expanded fight scenes, an exhausting climax that leaves fans breathless.
Incredible film! Disney take note!! I love how the film incorporated some of the best bits from all, Warriors, 7 Samuri ,Matrix and so one ......Genuis!
Keanu said the idea of John wick had to die. He still might do more movies. Right now Chad and keanu are resting and they'll come together to decide if a 5th movie is in the cards
Just watched John Wick 4 and it was amazing, my personal favorite movie in the series, beautifully shot, story was really good, the action was epic and overall the movie was a super fun thrill ride, cast was great too, Donnie Yen and Shamier Anderson stole the show, the perfect way to wrap up John Wicks’s story, masterpiece movie, really enjoyed it 👏👏👏👏
I think JW4 is a masterpiece and for all the reasons you mentioned in the video. At the same time, I can't but help find the movie depressing. It reminds me of what is happening to the American people. We are all being slowly crushed by an elitist system just like the high table and we have two choices: fight and be crushed to death instantly or surrender and die slowly. JW4 exemplifies this as John stands up to the table and wins but dies in the process. And unlike John Wick, we the people have done nothing to deserve it. It would've been nice if the movie had a happier ending by allowing John to live thus allowing the audience to have more catharsis from the emotional and physical trauma John sustained. But like many other movies being made today, it chose the darker ending. And while it doesn't ruin the movie, it makes for a slightly unsettling conclusion to the series as a whole especially in these trying times.
The cinematography was godlike, it wove an organic tapestry for the action to take place on in a way that created pure artistry, this film was a masterpiece, easily the best movie I had ever seen in my life, I've seen most of them and this is what they have all been building towards, I know I'm gushing and I don't care, a new standard has been set and we are lucky to be alive in a time to witness it
I loved the film, saw it twice in the span of 2 days. My slight nitpick would be though, is those digital backdrops like the duel scene.. I get why they do it that way but wish it actually felt like it was an actual city at sunrise in the background. Dunno but to my eyes, it seemed like a digital background & I couldn't stop focusing on it.
As a regular viewer. I love this movie other than that ending that i feel perfect for the conclusion of John Wick's story. I like how nearly every single key character or named character has at least motivation to be there. Caine is his daughter, Mr Nobody he needs the money for the dogs, winston, and others. The motivation of these character made me feel conflicted like "I dont want A to die but i also dont want John to die" or during Osaka i wish that they just turn John in and etc. Its been a long time since i feel conflicted like this in an action movie.
It was ok a little to long and got cartoonsish there at the end falling down the stairs at one point I thought he take out some paint and make him a tunnel to get to the top of stairs.
I saw the film yesterday and it was Absolutely Awesome just Awesome. The best action scenes of the film were without doubt the Osaka Continental Battle and the Arc de Triomphe Sequence, but to be honest personal preference aside every action scene in the film was incredible all the same. I'm so hyped for the Continental TV Show and Ballerina film.
The first movie is the best because of it's simplicity. The sequels do everything to the highest degree and they are fantastic movies but the first John Wick will always be the most well rounded film.
Yes I will always rank the first first. However JW4 has retrieved some of the elements of 1, that 2 and 3 lost, especially better song choices as well as purposed and driven narrative arc.
Damn 🤧 I hope that ending doesn’t mean what I think it means, but if it does then it makes sense. He wasn’t fighting for nothing and finally got his freedom in life AND death
This is an incredible movie and a great video. I do wish people would stop using this franchise as a weapon against comic book movies and the like. I hate that every franchise becomes that. I loved this, Creed 3 and I'm prepared to cry my eyes out in Guardians Vol. 3. They can coexist. I can't wait for Stahelski's Highlander remake now.
