Keanu Reeves’ John Wick is a man who’s feared, along with many other reasons, because of his ability to take down three guys, at once; with a pencil. I’m talking a Ticonderoga takedown.

And in the latest installment of the “John Wick” franchise, he lives up to his deadly reputation. I believe it’s safe to say that “John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum” is an incredible crown to the trilogy. The film stays true to its predecessors but delivers a refreshing, wider-scoped experience.

I’d like to begin with what I didn’t like about the movie. I believe the constant twists and turns and rather meaningless journeys that John embarks on can get a bit mundane and overly complex. For example, there’s an entire scene in the desert that had been generating steam and cinematic tension beforehand, only to be made completely irrelevant by certain later decisions of the characters. This never took away from the film’s enjoyability, it was just kind of annoying and made the movie feel a lot longer than it was.

I also think the film could’ve done some of the firefights better, as more mess makes for a much better scene. Just a little more variety and personality added to the mindless bad guys, often disposable than a plastic fork, would make for better immersion and a greater sense of impending doom or sympathetic anxiety for Wick’s efforts.

That being said, I have many good things to say about this film. The cinematography was satisfying, tight and well-directed. Shots lasted long and had a different, unique character between them. I felt like I was in the scene, trying not to get hit by gunfire or the hooves of a horse or flying fists. The sound design complemented the composition of the shots perfectly. I felt like I could feel and hear each bullet just barely whizzed by John Wick and kicked up dirt and smoke.

The soundtrack for the film was criminally good. I felt like it matched the pace and intensity of each scene perfectly. The music and sound design complemented each other perfectly. The editing felt natural and never felt jagged or uneven. Each scene had a really dynamic flow and fluidly blended as the intensity of the film rose. It never fails to innovate in terms of action and variety and has really topped the last two movies at every angle; especially the high-octane violence that the franchise is known for. I would not advise bringing your child like the people behind me, cause this movie never pulls back. 

I don’t need to say much about Keanu Reeve’s portrayal of John Wick. He does an excellent job of pacing himself through the action. He’s convincing, consistent and more unforgiving than ever before. He doesn’t need to talk much when he’s performing and communicating through his grunts and yells and swivels. 

I highly recommend you check out this movie and the two films before it. Director Chad Stahelski really hit it out of the park with this one.