Kim's Movie Korner

John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum 

I’ve been a fan of the John Wick saga since the original film but have been experiencing mixed emotions over the prospect of seeing the third installment.  On the one hand, it’s Keanu Reeves kicking butt and taking names as former (?) assassin, John Wick. But, on the other hand the powers that be have added Halle Berry to the mix.  And in case you’ve missed it in previous reviews, I am most certainly NOT a fan of Berry’s acting.  So, with mixed feelings of excitement and dread I geared up  to see John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum. 

JWC3P as with the previous film picks up right where the previous film ends.  Mere minutes after in this case. So yes, if you skipped seeing John Wick 2 for some inexplicable reason,  you need to give that one a looksy prior to seeing Parabellum so you'll know what's going on. 

Also like its previous incarnations, John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum is an adrenaline fueled, deliciously violent, no-holds-barred, @$$ kicking, butt clenching spectacle that grabs you by the throat and only lets up for perfectly timed moments of characterization and wait for it...story as well as the occasional sprinkle of humor. The first third of the film is so action backed and thrilling it's actually exhausting which underscores the story line perfectly. 

Featuring stunning set designs, beautiful cinematography and editing, and amazing choreography, Parabellum screams for big screen viewing.  

With near perfect casting and performances JWC3P shines.  The returning cast members not only continue to hit their stride and own their roles, but get to expand them into new, unexpected, and exciting territory.  Plenty of edge of the seat bouncing and "oh, hell yeah!' -ing to be had as we're given more of Wick (Keanu Reeves), Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick), and Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne).  Joining in on the fun and also bringing their A - games are The Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon), Zero (Mark Dacascos), and The Director (Anjelica Huston) to name just a few.  There are also some smile inducing actors from Game of Thrones, The Blacklist, and The Good Place that pop up.

Noticeably absent from my list is dear, sweet Halle Berry.  She tries people, she really does, but I'm sorry.  For me, the one flaw in this film is as a feared, Berry's acting.  I tried to get behind her and go with the flow, and to her credit it kinda worked for me.  But only when she was reduced to straight up butt kicking action star.  Truthfully, even then there was a little part of my mind screaming for her  character , Sofia, to get shot, stabbed, or beaten to make up for the rest of her performance.   When not in action star mode, I experienced serious X-Men flashbacks (shudder) accompanied by major eye rolling, snorts of derision, and mutterings of, "Pah-leaze, I ain't buying this $#@!".  It was more painful and more cruel than any other brutality shown on the screen.

John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum is an epic action film, overflowing with spectacle, thrills, heart, and intensity.  It's also the rare sequel that continues the trend of improving upon its predecessor. Part Terminator, part boogeyman, the odds are even that Parabellum is brutally satisfying in the best ways possible.  It's a definite 10 for you…

I'm officially giving it a 9.5 for myself.  The consequence of casting Halle Berry.