As a die-hard John Wick/Keanu Reeves fan (even his name is spelled beautifully), one can imagine how stoked I was to see his latest movie. Of course, it was incredibly hard to see the movie in theaters because it continuously sold out each night, and the times that I was lucky enough to get a ticket, the entire theater was nearly filled.
I’m not much of a person who likes to go to the movies when there is a full audience, partly because of the annoying people that tell their life story to every other person around them, and partly because I like to analyze a movie in peace. This meant it was a while before I could see the movie, but it was well worth the wait. Here’s why.
Weaponry
The series is known for its vast variety of weapons. Especially in the second movie, “John Wick: Chapter 2,” Wick uses an array of handguns, from the AF-1 Strike One, Beretta Cheetah, Glock 17, 26 Taran Tactical Innovations (TTI), the 34, a Heckler & Koch P30L, the Sig-Saur P320, the P226 and even Smith and Wesson.
In terms of carbines, which are short rifles or muskets, he switches between M4A1, Sig SG551/552 and a TTI TR-1 Ultralight. When it comes to shotguns, he uses my personal favorite: the Benelli M4 Super 90 (super expensive, by the way). In sum, Wick uses expensive bad—s guns in the movie franchise.
However, in the third movie, there was not as much of a variance in weapon choice. The majority of the guns used were made for competition-series shooting, which are heavily modified weapons that help the shooter fire quicker. Though the guns used in the movie were remarkable as always (they even brought back the Benelli Shotgun), I was hoping for a little more variety in weaponry. Though I must admit the Frankenstein revolver was a nice touch. You need to see the movie to know what I mean.
Storyline
“John Wick 3” does not have your average, complex storyline that forces you to think. It exists, rather, to aid Reeves in shooting holes in people. The writers added just enough story for you to understand why Reeves is putting holes into people, and then they bring the focus entirely back onto the action.
I also found the writers’ touch of connecting all the outside characters to the main characters to be a neat aspect because their interactions essentially act as fillers for the movie’s slower moments. Sure, the term “filler” sounds bad, but when you see this movie, believe me, all you want to do is see the action. Again, you need to see the movie to know what I mean. Though it would be nice to see Reeves maneuver through a bunch of bad guys and shoot everyone, there still needs to be an exciting story.
Keanu Reeves Is A Bad—s Angel
Yeah, I said it. He’s a bad—s angel. Reeves is probably one of the most dedicated actors I’ve seen on screen. Taran Tactial’s YouTube channel has a few videos that showcase Reeves’ hardcore training for “John Wick 3.” In one particular video, Reeves maneuvers through a bunch of dummies and practices his speed shooting with the guns seen in the third movie, all while using difficult techniques, such as quad loading and drawing and holding a weapon.
The fact that Reeves trains with real weapons and takes time to learn about the guns’ parts and functions shows his true dedication as an actor. I mean, come on, the dude is 54 and he is shooting and maneuvering like a pro; he even does his own stunts. As a bonus, he donates a ton of money that goes unnoticed, and he’s incredibly civil and polite. How can you not support him and his movies?
The Script is Pure Satirical Genius
Throughout the movie, Reeves has a lot of iconic one-liners that made my eyes go wide. For me, it was like staring at this gigantic movie screen, seeing a bad—s assassin (usually the hero in other cliché action movies), with super cool moves specialized in the martial arts (or a super buff looking dude in your average cliché movie), and all he says are quippy one-liners (which, in a cliché movie, would be something like, “I’ll be back.”).
In “John Wick 3: Parabellum,” Reeves retorts back with rhetorical jokes with double meaning, and they’re awesome. Furthermore, Reeves expresses humor in some of his lines that inevitably makes you laugh in scenes you know you shouldn’t laugh in, but that’s all right, because the surrounding people are laughing with you. Once again, go watch the movie to see what I mean. You will not be disappointed.
Go See The Movie Already
If I haven’t convinced you already to go see the movie, I’m telling you now, directly, go see the movie. If action movies aren’t your thing, they will be after this. The adrenaline and intensity of watching Reeves kick a— is something that should be well noted. Spoiler alert: Iron Chef Mark Dacascos is in the film. In the end, a bad—s chef who plays the villain battles a bad—s assassin, each with their own motives.
At the end of the movie, in addition to the epic final battle, the movie focuses in on a lot of the weapons and firefights. This is the climactic “go big or go home” type of scene that brings out the .45 caliber (really big bullets) guns, the aforementioned Benelli and katanas that slice through glass. In sum, the movie is well worth the watch. It is made up of humor, adrenaline, intensity, violence and gore. If that sounds pleasing to you, go watch it; if it does not, well, go watch it anyway.
