This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 139! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey there, folks!
Today we’re diving into the world of John Wick: Chapter 2, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. If you haven’t seen the first John Wick, well, what are you waiting for (You can read my review of it HERE)? But even if you’re new to the whole assassin-with-a-code thing, this sequel will have you glued to your seat.
First things first, Keanu Reeves is back as the brooding, dog-loving assassin we all root for, despite his body count being higher than my calorie intake on a cheat day. 😂 The movie kicks off right where we left off, with John seeking to retrieve his stolen car. But, like, it’s John Wick, so it’s not just a trip to the impound lot. No, it’s a full-on ballet of destruction.
What’s fascinating about this sequel is how it dives deeper into the lore of the assassin world. The Continental Hotel’s rules, the blood oaths, and the high table stuff—it’s like discovering there’s a secret menu at your favorite burger joint. You thought you knew all there was to know, but there’s this whole other level.
Now, let’s talk about the plot because, oh my, it’s like someone threw gasoline on a fire. Wick is trying to live his retired life, but gets dragged back into the fray because of a blood oath to Santino D’Antonio, a guy you love to hate. The mission? Assassinate Santino’s sister. Yeah, from there, it gets really, really messy.
So, John heads to Rome (because why not, right?) to take out a mafia boss’s sister. This is where things get crazy. We’re talking shootouts in fancy suits, car chases through the cobblestone streets of Rome (side note: those poor pedestrians!), and enough dead bodies to fill a coliseum. The action sequences are, like, insanely well-choreographed. John Wick is a ballet of bullets, weaving through rooms and dodging gunfire with the grace of a freaking dancer.
It’s brutal, sure, but also oddly beautiful. It’s like watching a dance. A dance of death, but a dance nonetheless. The gun-fu, the car chases, the hand-to-hand combat—it’s all so… so much, and I’m here for it. Keanu Reeves does most of his stunts, which just adds to the whole “Wow, am I really seeing this?” vibe.
But it’s not just Keanu; the whole cast is stellar. Ian McShane as Winston, the Continental’s manager, brings that calm, menacing vibe we adore. And can we talk about Ruby Rose as Ares? She’s mute but communicates so much with just her expressions and sign language. Major props.
But John Wick: Chapter 2 isn’t just about the action (although, let’s be honest, that’s a big part of the appeal). The world-building in this movie is fantastic. There’s this whole secret assassin society with its own currency (gold coins!), rules (don’t kill on Continental grounds!), and assassins with specialties (like a freaking knife-wielding hitwoman played by the awesome Ruby Rose!). It’s like a dark, twisted version of the Hogwarts houses, but way more bullets and way less butterbeer.
There’s a sense of humor in the movie that I appreciate. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, even though the body count is through the roof. Like, there’s a scene where Wick and Cassian (played by the fantastic Common) are nonchalantly shooting at each other with silenced pistols in a crowded place, and it’s just kinda hilarious.
John Wick: Chapter 2 is a non-stop action thrill ride. It’s stylish, brutal, and surprisingly funny at times (John Wick has a very particular way with a pencil, let’s just say). If you’re looking for an action movie that will blow your mind (and maybe make you wince a little), then this is the movie for you. Just be warned, once you enter the world of John Wick, you might find yourself wanting to learn some killer gun-fu skills yourself (although, maybe leave that to the professionals).
Until next time, keep it real and remember: always be kind to dogs. 🐶
Peace Out ✌️
Roger