Retired super-assassin John Wick's plans to resume a quiet civilian life are cut short when Italian gangster Santino D'Antonio shows up on his doorstep with a gold marker, compelling him to repay past favors. Ordered by Winston, kingpin of secret assassin society The Continental, to respect the organization's ancient code, Wick reluctantly accepts the assignment to travel to Rome to take out D'Antonio's sister, the ruthless capo atop the Italian Camorra crime syndicate.
Studio: Lionsgate
Year: 2017
Release Date: June 13, 2017
Run time: 122 minutes
Rating: R Audio: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Disc Spec: 2 BD / Digital HD
Region: A
'John Wick' was one of the most surprising films I have ever seen, so I was looking forward to chapter 2, this does not disappoint, fantastic film making. We get action films now that are so badly filmed with shaky cam (i hate shaky cam), this film is brilliantly directed and the action is amazing.'John Wick: Chapter 2' follows John Wick after the events of the first movie as he is pulled yet again into the criminal underworld for one last job, held to it by an old debt.This movie is almost non-stop action. It features some of the greatest, most intense fighting scenes I've ever seen, and I had an absolute blast. And yet, the reason why it's such a perfect action movie is because the story and the characters are compelling enough to keep the audience invested in what's happening, thus creating better tension and excitement during these exquisite action scenes. And even more, the movie builds upon the world that the original set up, making it just that much deeper and more interesting.Overall 'John Wick: Chapter 2' is everything an action movie should be. This is a short review, I know, but there isn't much to talk about in all honesty. It's an action movie where the action really is the best part. It's not a deep, plot-driven drama, nor is it an intelligent science fiction story. It's an action movie, which tends to be judged on a scale all it's own.
Movie Quality: 9/10
Print/Audio Quality
The print is presented in 4K/2160p with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. 'John Wick Chapter 2' not only ups its game in terms of the visuals from the first 'John Wick' but the visuals are mesmerizing in 4K. I don't think the locals, including Italy have looked this good in high definition. Colors are absolutely eye popping and jump off the screen like you would not believe. Red's, Blue's, and Green's dominate the color palette throughout the entire film. HDR is well done and doesn't hinder the picture quality at all. Details are fantastic, especially with the violence on the screen with blood splattering all over the place. The lighting is also fantastic here as you can see in the darker scenes as an example where the images doesn't look like one dark black screen as in some films. Black levels are deep in this film and stand out very nicely with the color palette used. John's suit is a perfect example as to how good the black levels are here in this film.
Video Quality: 10/10
The audio is presented in DTS-HD MA lossless 5.1 mix, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, and Dolby Atmos. I do love with these 4K releases that we do get more audio choices. If I thought the video was impressive, the audio mix is out of this world. The audio is something that you need to experience, and I would go as far as say that this is at a 12 out of 10. The thundering bass stood out as one of the most positive aspects of the audio mix in my view. It was so perfect sounding, which I haven't heard such great bass in a 4K Blu-ray film. This film is so dynamic sounding, balls to the wall non-stop action which takes advantage of the soundfield. Then add the dynamic sounds coming from the rears in the soundfield. You can hear the various gun shots just whiz by from speaker to speaker, it is just amazing when you have the correct audio setup.
Audio Quality: 10/10
Special Features
- Deleted Scenes [HD]
- ''RetroWick: Exploring the Unexpected Success of JOHN WICK'' Featurette [HD]
- ''Training John Wick'' Featurette [HD]
- ''WICK-vizzed'' Featurette [HD]
- ''Friends, Confidantes: The Keanu/Chad Partnership'' Featurette [HD]
- ''As Above, So Below: The Underworld of JOHN WICK'' Featurette [HD]
- ''Car Fu Ridealong'' Featurette [HD]
- ''Beat Down: The Evolution of a Fight Scene'' Featurette [HD]
- ''Wick's Toolbox'' Featurette [HD]
- ''Kill Count'' Featurette [HD]
- DOG WICK Short [HD]
- Audio Commentary with Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski --Lionsgate
Special Features: 9/10
Final Thoughts
'John Wick: Chapter 2' is an entertaining action thrill ride packed with a hodgepodge of exhilarating action sequences, and striking thrills, and at best makes a worthy sequel for the 2014 surprise hit. I can't wait to see what Chapter 3 will bring for John Wick when he has become the hunted.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Interesting thoughts