‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ - still wicked after all these years

Ricky Miller Entertainment Editor

Even four chapters in, John Wick still rocks, even if it’s kinda weird to watch people indiscriminately die.

The “John Wick” franchise is centered around a secret society of assassins that have their own currency and way of doing things. When Wick is excommunicated from the society, he exits knowing all their secrets. In “Chapter 4,” a $40 million bounty is placed on his head.

What amazes me is that Keanu Reeves is 58 and is still making movies with the same vigor. Reeves inserts his own personality into the character. If anything, the vigor has only increased since his days of playing Johnny Utah in “Point Break” (1991). Utah wasn’t doing anything close to John Wick’s stunts.

Wick’s nemesis this time out is Marquis, a member of the High Table, who kills nonchalantly, like swatting a fly on the table. Bill Skarsgård is creepy and total evil as Marquis. He’s not the kind of guy you want to bring home for dinner.

The franchise is helmed by director Chad Stahelski, who has worked with Reeves in the past as a stunt coordinator. With this history in mind, the “Wick” franchise plays like a giant ballet, with a fluidity to the action that isn’t seen in most Western cinema. Like Quentin Tarantino or Christopher Nolan, Stahelski is a master at action sequences. He doesn’t confuse the audience with unnecessary quick cuts. He knows how to make a movie work.

Even the fourth time out, the camera angles are very inventive and visceral. Final duels are common in action-thrillers. Somehow, though, Reeves and Stahelski keep it inventive and fresh every time.

The pacing of “John Wick: Chapter 4” is really fast. The cinematography is amazing, and everyone involved appears to be at the top of their game. Full of action, the almost threehour run time goes by quickly. It’s not a chore to sit through for the audience at all.

There’s something cathartic about watching evil people die and get their just desserts on the big screen.

Grade: A

“Happy Gilmore” (1996)

-- Sandler’s segue into leading man territory as a bonafide comic actor. His character’s history as a hockey player gives him an edge on the golf course.

Carl Weathers from the Rocky franchise plays his coach.

“Mr. Deeds” (2002) -- In this Steven Brill comedy, Sandler’s character has a big inheritance fall into his lap, becoming wealthy beyond belief. Winona Ryder plays his love interest alongside a hilarious turn from John Turturro.

“Murder Mystery” (2019)

-- This Netflix original was so popular that it spawned a 2023 sequel. Sander and costar Jennifer Aniston share great chemistry as a couple that wind up in predicaments galore. The 90 minute flick is pleasant and enjoyable all around.

“Punch-Drunk Love”

(2002) -- Well-done drama that proves Sandler isn’t just a comedic buffoon all the time, acting next to a standout performance from Emily Watson. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this film is prestige from beginning to end.

“Uncut Gems” (2019) -Sandler is kind of a sleaze in this one, running a diamond store in New York City. He acquaints himself with basketball superstar Kevin Garnett in a series of increasingly poor decisions over the course of a week.

-Ricky Miller