“John Wick 4”: Keanu Reeves shines as the Dancer of Death

Keanu Reeves (“speed”) fights for his life again. The 58-year-old Hollywood star is back in his prime role of the past few years. Whether punches, machine gun salvos, saber rattling or Asian martial arts: In “John Wick: Chapter 4” no army of opponents, no matter how large, gets the professional killer down. Or is it? From this question arises the almost consistently lasting tension of the action hit with little action.

A car ballet in Paris

Corpses pave his way. John Wick has to fight countless murder gangs. Because the High Chamber, a kind of overarching organization of all worldwide criminal gangs, wants his death, whatever the cost. Underworld boss Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) has all the powers to assassinate the renegade comrade-in-arms. But whether in the African desert or in France, Germany or the USA: John seems to be invincible.

As in the first three parts of the series, the fight scenes are the be-all and end-all. And they pack a punch. They captivate as a cleverly choreographed series of murders. The electrifying highlight is a deadly car ballet around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Lust for killing contemporary?

Keanu Reeves wades through the gory scene of horror with a stoic expression on his face. Rarely in film history has an actor revealed so much about a character’s soul with such minimal facial expressions. He is accompanied by a top-class cast of stars, including Laurence Fishburne, Bill Skarsgård and Donnie Yen.

But with all the pleasure in joyfully celebrated action, the film provokes a question: In view of wars, school massacres and acts of terrorism, is it still up to date to celebrate killing as a pleasure in the cinema? Captivated by the cinematic brilliance, John Wick fans will agree. Many others may have doubts. (APA)

“John Wick: Chapter 4”: Directed by Chad Stahelski, USA, 2023, 169 minutes, in cinemas now

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