Cast: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick, Saïd Taghmaoui, Jerome Flynn, Jason Mantzoukas, Tobias Segal, Boban Marjanovic, with Anjelica Huston, and Ian McShane 

Directed by: Chad Stahelski 

5 out of 5 Stars

I recently saw the latest edition of the John Wick series in theaters and oh was it a thrill. John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum is maybe one of the best action films that I have seen in recent years. The filmmakers have built on their story and are now slowly creating a whole universe surrounding the International Assassins guild “The High Table”.

The film picks up exactly where the second film leaves off and if you were expecting a slow build for the action like most films that’s not the case with this movie. We are immediately thrown into the action as John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is running and trying to figure out exactly what he should do. In less than an hour a $14 million bounty will be on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail the result of being ex-communicado.

Within the first 20 minutes of the film you’ll experience probably one of the best fight scenes every filmed. This fight includes only a few guns but when it comes to knives there are dozens and dozens. It is non-stop fighting that will have your eyes glued to the screen. That fight spills out into the streets of New York and into the horse carriage stables. If you were looking for a car chase in this film then you will be disappointed, but let me tell you forget the car because there is a horse chase scene and it is epic.

Keanu Reeves stars as ‘John Wick’ in JOHN WICK Chapter 3 – Parabellum Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise

In his fight to escape death he has to begin calling in favors just to stay alive. His journey takes him to Morocco where he meets up with Sofia (Halle Berry). A fellow assassin and manager of The Continental in Morocco she plays an integral part of helping Wick stay alive and meet one of his goals.

Berry’s scenes while only about 20 minutes in total during the first act of the film stand-out for not only some of the most intense fight scenes but that’s right they involve dogs. The fight sequences with Berry, two dogs, and dozens of assassins is another case of non-stop fighting meets parkour.

Halle Berry in preparations for this role trained hours each day with combat training, gun training, and even animal training. Those months of preparation really pays of and now has me asking for more Halley Berry. She really is back into her groove with this film.

“I’ve never trained this hard. I’ve never worked in the way that Chad and Keanu work and I’ve certainly never had 12 guys coming for me all at once! It was tough, it was amazing, and I love that my character Sofia also brings some real heart and soul to the story as someone from John Wick’s past who knows the costs of doing what he does.” 

John (Keanu Reeves) and Sofia (Halle Berry) in JOHN WICK 3: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM.

As John Wicks journey continues and with rules broken not only on the part of Wick but among several of his friends, The High Table must take measures to regain control. However, not everyone has chosen a side.

Actor Ian McShane returns as Continental manager Winston struggling to keep hold of chaos that is erupting around him. Having kept The Continental a neutral zone for assassins how long can he hold onto that power as The High Table takes control. The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) also returns in a role that has major implications for Wick and his future.

John (Keanu Reeves) in JOHN WICK 3: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM.

In a nod to John Wick 2 and the major mirror fight sequence, the team this time showcases an extended fight scene in a multi-story room filled with lots of glass that causes reflections and refractions to hide and expose fighters. John Wick’s fighting style comprised of elements from judo, jujitsu and aikijujutsu stands up against other styles. The team also worked to pack more fight scenes into the greatest number of meticulously constructed set pieces yet seen in a John Wick chapter. 

John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum now is counted as one of the top movies in my list of the best. Its a film you can watch over and over and never get tired of watching. Have you seen John Wick Chapter 3 – Parabellum? What did you think?!