John Wick (4½ Stars)

Watching the film today, I couldn't help wonder how much the writer Derek Kolstad had planned in advance. In every John Wick film new elements are added to his universe. Did the writer already plan these additions, or are they being created as he goes along?

There have been three films so far. After the success of "John Wick" in 2014, "John Wick 2" was made in 2017 and "John Wick 3" in 2019. "John Wick 4" was originally planned to be released in May 2021, but now it's been pushed back to May 2022, partly because of the Coronavirus lockdown, partly because priority is being given to the fourth Matrix film. That makes me sad. I have little hope that a Matrix sequel will be any good. The Wachowski Brothers have lost any talent they once had. When's the last time they made a good film? In contrast, the John Wick films keep getting better as they go along. That's where the priority should be set.

In addition to "John Wick 4", a spin-off called "Ballerina" is planned, a film about a female assassin who lives in the same universe. No release date has been set, but I've read that Chloe Grace Moretz has been provisionally selected to play the title role. That's exciting. She's a tremendous actress, but over the last few years she's been given poor quality roles. She needs a big blockbuster to put her back in the public eye.

There are also early plans to make a television series about John Wick, a prequel to the first film, set before he retired as an assassin. I have a queasy feeling about that. Can the John Wick universe be effectively portrayed in weekly instalments? I don't know. Let's see what happens. I'd rather see a fifth, sixth and seventh film, however long Keanu Reeves can stay fit.

Success Rate:  + 2.3

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