“Si vis pacem, para bellum.”
Which translates as:
“If you want peace, prepare for war”
The Boogeyman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns, possibly for the last time, in John Wick: Chapter 3 (aka John Wick 3: Parabellum). Continuing the enthralling life and life-taking of the master assassin, the odds have gotten considerably worse this time around.
Following on from the events of Chapter 2, John is left isolated and without support from the Continental Hotel chains (an oasis of calm for the professional hit-person) and with the added bonus of an increased bounty on his head, John must find a way to fight his way out of New York and with anyone and seemingly everyone a potential assassin, the journey is not going to be an easy one.
Directed once more by ex-stunt man Chad Stahelski, who has more than earned this position with his assured skill in the previous films in this series, working again with writer Derek Kolstad to give continuity, the sense and feel of this new film should be a good fit for the wonderfully rich and exciting world that has been created already. Dan Laustsen (The Shape of Water, Crimson Peak) assumes control of the camera again after doing an excellent job on Chapter 2 to bring to life the neo-noir and neon aesthetics and capturing the almost non-stop action with such aplomb.
Most of the excellent characters return, with Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick) and The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) appearing again alongside newcomers to the franchise Sofia (Halle Berry), Zero (Mark Dacascos), The Director (Anjelica Houston) and The Tick Tock Man (Jason Mantzoukas), who will help populate this nefarious underworld that thrives out of view of the city.
With all these important pieces in place to expand on the original idea and world, anyone who enjoyed either of the previous John Wick films would expect to be entertained with Chapter 3: Parabellum. With more of the same astounding, kinetic fight sequences with both gun and fist (or any other body part that can be utilised for damage), a very stylish and polished veneer and, of course, an ice-cold Keanu Reeves as the eponymous John Wick expectation is that adrenaline levels will be raised as he does his level best to destroy everyone and keep on fighting for his life.