
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 FIRST REVIEWS: THE BEST IN THE FRANCHISE, WITH EPIC WALL-TO-WALL ACTION
WILL WE FEEL THE RUNTIME?
At just hair under three hours, John Wick: Chapter 4 is indulgent for sure, but it’s earned the running time at this point.
– Jacob Hall, Slashfilm
John Wick: Chapter 4 can certainly be accused of being too long. But I doubt many fans will be complaining.
– Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Is Chapter 4 too long? You bet it is… yet the movie is conceived as a knowingly overstuffed gift to John Wick fans, and on that level it succeeds.
– Owen Gleiberman, Variety
In an age of increased grumbling about films with two-plus-hour runtimes, Chapter 4’s roaring pace serves as a counter argument that proclaims movies should be as long as they need to be.
– Tom Jorgensen, IGN Movies
Don’t let the length fool you; John Wick: Chapter 4 may be the most exhilarating two-hour and thirty-eight minutes you’ll spend in theaters this year.
– JimmyO, JoBlo’s Movie Network
I do think there’s a slightly tighter (if you can say 150 minutes would be tight) version of this film that’s simply perfect.
– Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com
WHAT ABOUT KEANU REEVES’ PERFORMANCE?
Reeves truly continues to impress, seemingly getting better at this stuff with each franchise.
– Pete Hammond, Deadline Hollywood Daily
Keanu Reeves continues his action-hero dominance with another incredibly physical, supernaturally charismatic performance that pushes the boundaries of what any actor should be willing to put themselves through but he seems to take great pleasure in with tremendous skill.
– Dan Bayer, Next Best Picture
Reeves does solid work bringing out flashes of humanity and exhaustion in the character, even as he dispatches untold numbers of enemies through plenty of amazing stunt work.
– Brandon Zachary, CBR.com
Reeves might have fewer lines in this film than any so far in the franchise, but he completely sells Wick’s commitment while also imbuing him with emotional exhaustion that adds more gravity to this chapter.
– Brian Tallerico, RogerEbert.com
(Photo by Murray Close/©Lionsgate)
HOW DOES THE MOVIE LOOK?
This movie is gorgeous. It’s a symphony of violence, wonderfully captured by cinematographer Dan Lausten… Every shot of this film has something going on.
– Aaron Neuwirth, We Live Entertainment
For a series which has always looked stylish as hell, Chapter 4 sets a new standard for production design and cinematography.
– Tom Jorgensen, IGN Movies
Cinematographer Dan Laustsen’s lush visuals makes sure the film is dazzling to look at even when there isn’t any action happening.
– Dan Bayer, Next Best Picture
Through cinematographer Dan Laustsen’s lens, the saturated colorscape burns vivid and vibrant. He captures an incredibly seductive depth of field with the imagery, making the characters and action pop.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
IS THERE MORE TO ENJOY THAN JUST THE ACTION?
The secret weapon of the John Wick films has always been the emotion that fuels John… The fact that this latest film ends in such a character-focused way inspires awe of a different, incredibly welcome kind.
– Dan Bayer, Next Best Picture
Director Chad Stahelski and screenwriters Shay Hatten and Michael Finch carry through themes surrounding consequence and the passage of time while also strengthening them with added sentiments on absolution, fate, fidelity and friendship.
– Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
This is a movie that looks not forward toward some cash-grab sequel, but toward the past and how we got here… [It’s] the most emotionally resonant movie of the franchise.
– Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire