John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Elevator Pitch.

In what seems to be an alternative reality, John Wick, the super assassin is attempting to retire, but is required by the head of an Italian crime sindicate as a result of a blood debt, to eliminate the man’s sister for his own advancement. Despite insurmountable difficulties Wick carries out the task, but is then targeted by the sister’s remaining bodyguard and then by a contract which offers $7 million to whoever kills him. His only place of safety is the Hotel Continental, but it may not always be an advantage.

Content.

John Wick takes executive action against people who stole his car, and is then persuaded (by having his house burnt down) to carry out the assassination. He prepares for the task which then results in almost continuous shoot-outs mostly in the catacombs of Rome. Some visits to the safety of the Hotel Continentals in both Rome and New York, then further shoot-outs in a whole lot of environments. So almost continuous violence including martial arts, shooting with handguns and automatic weapons, knives and a pencil. Some minor drinking and a bit of implied nudity, but no sex.

A View.

This shoot-em up was well received by the critics. It is glossy in its own way, and the action is brilliantly choreographed. I have a bit of difficulty with movies which discard the possibility of police intervention, and it is said that you hear a police siren once in this outing. Just a bit too much shooting for me; whether you would like it is up to you, but you would know what you are getting, particularly if you have seen the first one of the two.