'John Wick 2' - a spectacular action film for the beginning of the year.

Car chases, gunfights, and hand-to-hand combat unfold continuously with a fast-paced rhythm in this high-octane violent film that has just been released in Vietnam.

John Wick: Chapter 2 is the second action film about the assassin John Wick, still directed by Chad Stahelski and marking the return of actor Keanu Reeves.

The new installment is set just a few days after the events of the first part. At this time, the assassin John is forced to travel to Italy to settle a past debt related to a notorious crime boss. Then, a multi-million dollar bounty is placed on his head.With a setting that spans from New York (USA) to Rome (Italy), the story becomes a transcontinental journey, following a hitman yearning for "retirement" as he rediscovers the world he spent decades in.

The screenwriters cleverly chose a completely different direction from the first part. While the first film captivated viewers with unexpected plot twists and intense emotional scenes, the new storyline delves into the mysterious world of John Wick's past, where global gangs operate with ancient and unbreakable covenants.

Amidst the intricate web of underworld connections, the series of supporting characters, though brief in their appearances, leave a lasting impression. In this way, the work constructs a world of gangsters similar to that found in the martial arts novels of authors like Jin Yong, Gu Long, and Wen Rui'an. The difference is that the world of...John Wick 2It is placed entirely within the context of modern society and completely separate from the contemporary legal system.

Keanu Reeves returns with a clean and efficient action scene.

Despite its 120-minute runtime, the film's script is concise, mirroring the way the protagonist, John Wick, performs his actions. The plot unfolds quickly, with virtually no unnecessary details. Even fleeting emotional moments are enough to move the audience.The fast-paced rhythm keeps viewers on edge, like a taut string. Meanwhile, the action sequences appear continuously and with a much higher frequency than the previous episode.

Every dramatic sequence is meticulously choreographed, detailed, and showcases the creativity of director Chad Stahelski and his team. In particular, the film displays numerous close-combat martial arts sequences as well as the protagonist's unique use of firearms.

The realistic violence in the film shows that John Wick 2 surpasses the first installment and even other films of the same genre released in recent years, such as the Jason Bourne series, the Taken series, The Equalizer, The Accountant, Contraband, or the Jack Reacher series.

An action scene from the movie.

Keanu Reeves is now in his twilight years (52) but performs powerful and precise fight scenes. Viewers can clearly see this through close-up shots where he does not rely on a stunt team. In scenes expressing emotions,Keanu Reeves fully embodies the character without much effort.ka sorrowful face and a haggard gait.

John Wick seems like a perfect role for Keanu Reeves, as the actor's real-life experiences have been as turbulent and full of losses as the character he plays.

However, the film also revealed a few weaknesses. The script.There are a few plot points that haven't been fully explained. Additionally, some plot points in the film...The overly flamboyant portrayal makes the simple and taciturn character of John Wick seem out of place in the context.

On the other hand, the setting of the final fight scene reuses a classic fight sequence from the film Game of Death (Bruce Lee's last film, released in 1978) without much innovation.

Poster for the movie "John Wick 2".

Overall, John Wick: Chapter 2 remains a realistic action masterpiece that could make fans of the franchise want to see it a second or third time. While the ending remains open, director Chad Stahelski has confirmed that Chapter 3 is already in the works.

John Wick: Chapter 2 was released in Vietnamese theaters on February 10th, with three minutes of violent scenes cut from the original and a C18 rating – prohibiting viewers under 18 years old.

According to VNE