John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is still seeking a way out of his past life as an assassin and this time Winston (Ian McShane) believes he knows how Wick can turn the tables on The High Table itself. 

Wick seeks to challenge a Marquis (Bill Skarsgard) for his debts to be erased and in doing so wreaks havoc across Osaka, Berlin and Paris in what may be the franchises greatest display of action sequences. 

Building upon the franchises mythology of assassins, this time we have a Harbinger (Clancy Brown), family crests and duels. As with the other films that introduced markers, adjudicators and The High Table it gives the sense of a greater depth to the world that Wick exists in whilst giving the action sequences the freedom to be a little more expansive than they could be in the real world. For this film they really lean into the idea of bulletproof suits which were introduced earlier in the series. 

The end result will surely be one of the films of the year, an all time great action movie and arguably the best in the series (I still have a soft spot for the simpler times of the original). 

Where to start then…

As a film that may act as an ending to the series it does an exemplary job of turning Wick into more than a man. His character has been referred to as Baba Yaga or the boogeyman by many throughout the series. In my review of the second film I referred to him as mythical and in my review of the third as legendary. Here he ascends to a God. There is nothing he can not achieve, accomplish or survive. But more importantly whilst he incites fear in his enemies he invites respect from his allies. 

The array of villains for this film are diverse and interesting. Skarsgard’s Marquis sits behind his powerful position as a slimy and threatening “big bad”. But more importantly there are three other key antagonists that are a lot of fun. Donnie Yen plays a blind swordsman who has history with Wick and is absolutely exceptional. Shamier Anderson plays a “Tracker” who has an attack dog at his side. Whilst Scott Adkins plays a villain named Killa who is so much fun whilst also posing a significant threat. 

Visually the film is stunning. Osaka is bathed in neon, Berlin features a nightclub with waterfalls and the Paris finale features a fight through some landmarks at dawn. 

Most importantly the action sequences are jaw dropping and utterly brilliant. Clocking in at 169 minutes there is plenty to take in and Director Chad Stahelski ensures that every highlight of the other films appear. So we have horse, car and motorcycle chases and fights featuring guns, knifes, swords and nunchucks. All of which feature long sustained sequences with the most sublime stunt choreography and proficiency. One sequence that uses overhead photography is mesmerising but in general the whole exercise is a masterclass. 

Reeves who is approaching his 59th birthday is astonishing throughout as well proving his proficiency with weapons and martial arts. Wick may now have become his most iconic character. Not bad for someone who has given us Jack Traven (Speed), Johnny Utah (Point Break) and Neo (The Matrix). 

I absolutely loved this. 

Finally, for the first time in this series there is a post credits scene to hang around for.