Synopsis courtesy of IMDb.com: “Super-assassin John Wick is on the run after killing a member of the international assassin's guild, and with a $14 million price tag on his head - he is the target of hit men and women everywhere.”

Directed by: Chad Stahelski (John Wick)

Starring: Keanu Reeves (The Matrix), Halle Berry (Catwoman), and Ian McShane (Deadwood)

Cinematography by: Dan Laustsen (The Shape of Water)

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum is rated R.

When last we saw our stoic action hero, John Wick had just been excommunicated by his fellow assassins for breaking the rules of engagement, and was given one hour to escape before a $14 million bounty was placed on his head.  John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum begins minutes after this final scene of John Wick: Chapter 2, as Wick tries to disappear into the bustling streets of New York City.  Even for an assassin of his caliber, the odds are stacked highly against him as bounty hunters flock to the streets in an attempt to claim the reward.  As the third installment in this improbably exhilarating franchise, the stakes have never been higher, and once again Mr. Wick delivers.

The opening moments of Parabellum throw the audience headfirst into the action at breakneck speed, and the film never really takes its foot off the gas.  Keanu Reeves as the title character has always preferred to let his hands (and guns) do the talking, and pulls no punches this time around.  There is just enough of a story to support the non-stop action for a little over two hours, and the slick dialogue is used sparingly to great effect.  Prior to directing all three John Wick films, Chad Stahelski worked as a stunt director, and his area of expertise shines in this film.  In various scenes, John Wick fights off a ridiculous number of assailants in hand-to-hand combat using a wild variety of props, including live animals such as dogs and horses (clearly the assassins were never taught to avoid the hind legs of mustangs).  The action in Parabellum is choreographed and executed to perfection, with a deftly utilized score punctuating the highest points.  

If quality choreography and stunts can be found in any typical action film, what sets Parabellum (and the entire franchise) apart is the exceptional mise-en-scène created by the cinematography and production design.  The lighting and color grading bring a different aesthetic to each scene, and each frame is packed with stunning visuals.  Whereas major franchises such as Mission: Impossible and James Bond bring their characters to some of the most breathtaking locations on earth, John Wick excels at turning mundane venues (such as a hotel lobby or alleyway) into gorgeous backdrops for action to unfold.  The ever-changing scenery makes even the most protracted fights a thing of beauty to witness.

The original John Wick introduced an underground world of assassins and bounty hunters, which has been expanded in each of the subsequent films.  For me, the best parts of Parabellum further explore the breadth and diversity of characters involved in this society.  For such a contemporary film, the code of chivalry and honor observed by the assassins seems refreshingly uncommon.  Personal vendettas and professional bounties are set aside when within the walls of “consecrated” hotels, and one can find themself having a drink with someone they were trying to brutally kill moments before.  After all, they are professional killers, not animals.

If I had to choose one grievance with this film, it is that it seemed to be trying a bit too hard to set up another sequel.  I would love to see a fourth John Wick if they can manage to keep the character interesting, but I had hoped this film would feel more conclusive.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the original, and am surprised yet again with how much I love this latest sequel.  John Wick: Chapter 3 still has all the smooth assurance of its predecessors, and Keanu Reeves continues to make this character work in the subtlest way possible.  If you need proof that action movies don’t need to be the formulaic pieces of pulp entertainment we so often see, John Wick is happy to be of service.

Reel Rating: 8/10

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum opens in cinemas on May 17.