(CNN) — Inflation comes in many forms, including persistent congestion, which can affect sequels. So the 90 minutes of John Wick becomes 2 hours and 49 minutes in John Wick: Chapter 4, an epic that showcases the dazzling stunt work the franchise is known for while pushing the action to almost exhausting extremes .
The film has an added level of emotional resonance, but that’s because of what happened off-screen, not on-screen, with the unexpected death of co-star Lance Reddick. Although Reddick has a supporting role, his performance is sobering.
Furthermore, the extra length is charitably devoted to showcasing as much inventive mayhem as possible, with Keanu Reeves’ silent killer trying, as usual, to break free of his ties to the shadowy organization known as The High Table. He fights his way to the taunting leader (Bill Skarsgård) who has put a large bounty on his head.
The film takes its adversaries up a notch with the addition of Donnie Yen as Caine, an old friend and collaborator of Wick’s who has been reluctantly tasked with bringing him down and is just as adept at the art of killing and killing. Shamier Anderson joins the action as a mysterious mercenary, accompanied by an equally deadly dog whose motivations are as elusive as Wick’s Kevlar suits.
Keanu Reeves stars in John Wick: Chapter 4. (Image credit: Lionsgate/YouTube)
Director Chad Stahelski draws humor from Caine’s reticence and the over-the-top nature of the carnage, dragging out the violent sequences to the point of exhausting stamina. Once again, the film benefits from the quality of the supporting cast, particularly Ian McShane’s world-weary Winston, who as always seems to steal every scene he appears in.
The problem is that with such a big screen and so many elaborate action scenes – including a drawn-out fight through the busy streets of Paris – Wick can’t help but repeat his signature combat moves (punch, shoot, repeat) over and over again. until the effects are more numbing than exciting.
The mere fact that the franchise has reached the “Chapter 4” stage underscores the value placed on the name and Reeves’ belonging to this breed of muscle-bound vehicle that is so heavily focused on action that it’s good that the star is not known you pay per word.
At one point, Caine forestalls a fight with Wick by saying, “Let’s get this shit over with,” prompting laughter at the time.
However, as “Chapter 4” closes its pages, the phrase resonates in a way that’s a little more serious and literal than intended.
John Wick: Chapter 4 opened in US theaters on March 24th. It is rated R.