A couple of days ago, I went to the cinema to see John Wick 4. It had been ages since I last set foot inside a movie theater – since the start of the pandemic. I had forgotten how good it felt. Sure, after buying a tub of popcorn, a bag of candy, a large cola, and a movie ticket, you’re thirty-five euros lighter… but it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else. The massive screen, the constant surge of sugar in your bloodstream, and the mind-blowing sound system – it’s hard to replicate at home. From the moment the film starts, the sound of each gunshot reverberates through your entire body. It’s like you’re right there. Real as can be.
By the way, actor Ian McShane (he plays Winston, the owner of the NY hotel) recently said something interesting in an interview. He said that with most films, you know within the first few seconds if you’re in good hands or not. And let me tell you, that was definitely the case for me with the fourth film.
The first thing that struck me was how beautiful this movie looked. One stunning shot after another. It’s like a master photographer carefully selecting the perfect location and positioning someone just right… but in film form. That’s what the filmmakers did here. And pretty early on, we realize that this time there’s actually something at stake: a life-or-death battle to reclaim his freedom… and put an end to the adventure that’s been going on for four films now, including this one.
Sure, the story remains relatively thin. That’s just how it goes in this kind of film. It’s all about the action… and boy, do you get it here. They employ every weapon imaginable, along with every fighting style ever conceived by man. Believe it or not, they even use nunchucks and not just in a poor man’s Bruce Lee imitation kind of way.
Anyway, I had a good time. In the end, I realized that the John Wick franchise has found its groove. This is an ode to action movies… and it was executed brilliantly. I wasn’t bored for a second. Time flew by. So, sometime after eleven o’clock at night, I found myself back in my car, with an iced tea (bought an extra one during the intermission)… and my bag of candy, on my way home.
You know, finding your own style is something truly beautiful. Most of what you see everywhere are copies of copies – for understandable reasons. Unfortunately, many folks get stuck there, in the shadows of their masters. Well, as long as all they do is copy, they’ll remain there forever. But once you have the courage to step out, to question the normal way of things and try your own damn thing… something beautiful can bloom. Food for thought.
Take care
Vincent J. Dancet