Cinepals - JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 (2023) Movie Reaction & Review! | Keanu Reeves | Donnie Yen

Episode Date: November 28, 2024

Kristen and Michael react to the fourth installment of the John Wick saga! Don't worry, no dogs were harmed in the making of this movie! In John Wick: Chapter, the relentless assassin uncovers a path to freedom while battling powerful enemies across the globe and confronting old and new adversaries. John Wick: Chapter 4 was directed by Chad Stahelski (John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum). The main cast includes Keanu Reeves as John Wick (The Matrix, Speed, Point Break), Donnie Yen as Caine (Ip Man, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Hero), Bill Skarsgård as Marquis Vincent de Gramont (It, Barbarian, The Devil All the Time), and Rina Sawayama as Akira (Turn Up Charlie, Panic, Blue Beetle). The ensemble also features Scott Adkins as Killa (Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, Accident Man, Boyka: Undisputed), Marko Zaror as Chidi (Undisputed III: Redemption, Machete Kills, Savage Dog), Laurence Fishburne as The Bowery King (The Matrix, Boyz n the Hood, Apocalypse Now), Ian McShane as Winston (Deadwood, American Gods, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), and Hiroyuki Sanada as Shimazu (The Last Samurai, Mortal Kombat, Shogun). You can watch the cut down reaction to this movie (and many others) on our YouTube channel https://www.YouTube.com/@Cinepals and the full length reaction is available on our Patreon page https://www.cinejump.com SOCIAL MEDIA ~KRISTEN STEPHENSONPINO~ Instagram: @Kris10Kesp ~MICHAEL BOOSE~ Instagram: @BooseIsLoose ~CINEPALS~ YouTube: @CinePals Insta: https://instagram.com/TheCinePals Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCinePals

Sina. Pals. What's up guys? It's Chris Stavino, joined by Michael Boost. Hello, hello. We're back with Mr. John Wick, Chapter 4. Now, Achara, before we got into this, I was like, oh, no, not this one again. She goes, it's okay because the dog only died once. And I was like, thanks for reminding me. Thanks for reminding me, I got beef with this film and this franchise.

Yeah, but everything else is about him getting revenge for the dog. So. True. This is true. Everyone gets their comeuppance. Well, let's get to it. Oh, you can speak to her now. Oh, no. No.

No. Don't take this away from him. Oh. No. She said either. Oh. That's messed up. Dang it.

I'm mad. She was free. I'd entirely forgotten about her, but that was a clever little... Wasn't clever or wasn't an F you to all viewers to be like, you think you got a happy ever after? No, you did not. Oh my gosh. Where do we even start?

No, that was phenomenal. I think it's the best one in the franchise. Oh, by far. I think the best one in the franchise. You know what? I'm not going to say. that because I think all of them are so freaking good. I would be

so honored to be a part of any of these and I'd be so honored and psyched to have my name affiliated with this franchise and like just any of it. Yeah. Because it is a work of art. Truly, John

Wick, everything about this entire, like each and everyone has been just glorious and beautiful and just epic. And I feel like it's a world that I'm like oh my god I want to be a part of this world I went in there it's so freaking cool but it's also terrifying at the same time you know yeah but john wicks he's like his legacy yeah he's just ah I know I know it's hard to say goodbye and I am curious if this is the final

chapter but I feel like it's not because they only showed the grave so I'm wondering if we get another john wick I don't know if one's been announced or not like confirmed but if we get another john wick I'm imagining there's going to be something of like you know he was pretending to be dead the entire time just to make sure that he could stay out because like inevitably the table can promise a whole bunch of stuff. True. But like you know you've seen how many times he's been

promised something by the table and then they drag him back in so like maybe them burying him because you know Winston really has that moment of like who knows where he is that like kind of implies that he's in neither heaven nor hell he's in the Bahamas

living it up with the Pinia colada in hand right? Like Like, so I'm thinking there is the potential that he went deeper into hiding so he could be, you know, free. And once people believe he's dead, so he's out, out, and they can't come back to get him. Exactly. But if that's true, then his friend he just saved, who's about to have beef with the Japanese, he might have to come out of the woodwork to help him. But then it's also like, interesting because John Wick was like, oh, you owe me now. He's like, I know, you know.

Yeah. This was so, I think what really sold me on this one was just how good the characters they created were. I mean, you know, John Wick, with the exception of the first one, maybe. Like, the first one has a good cast of characters, but it's not like the kind of rogues gallery we get in the following films. But this one especially really did a beautiful job of establishing. characters with their own quirks in how they do this work and their own agendas and their own objectives and they all kind of intermingled and came together and I really loved the camaraderie and friendship they leaned on it in this one because it was a lot of like you know friends of

John Wicks putting either putting their necks out or having to be forced to go after him that I think really gave a lot of heart to this one outside of just the like balls to the wall action Well, I feel like I agree with this, but I also feel like in the other ones, he also had that same friendships and the same kind of bonds that have helped him throughout this throughout. So for me, I feel like that part doesn't necessarily like. But they, I guess my thing is, is like those friendships were hard won friendships. Like granted, Charon and Winston were two that were amicable with John. to a certain degree from the get-go. But like our other girl with the dogs is three, he came back and she was like,

I can't believe that you came back. You cannot ask me of this. I'm so mad at you right now. You're making me put my neck out. Then, you know, there were other assassins that were tasked with taking out John Wick and they had like a healthy respect for him but weren't friends of his. They were like, well, I get to take down John Wick. I've dreamed of meeting you my entire life.

Now time to fight you. Right? this was the one where we really saw like veteran members of this world and it was strictly that established friendships with him who were like I'm so sorry I have to do this friend I still wanted to know more about nobody and why he was there why he chose to show up like other than the bounty you know the bounty fine or whatever I kind of wanted to know more about him and what made him initially show up you know what I mean

other than just the bounty I wanted to get a little bit more and then I loved that he was like rooting him on but also kind of keeping him line for his own gain I don't know there's something more about him and I hope that they do continue this and he comes into play more because he was actually really

freaking cool super cool even though we didn't know who the hell he was or why he was there really I mean we knew you know what I mean Like it's like he just came out of nowhere Yeah And with that

He was still Such a badass and cool character to see And I feel like every time he came on screen He owned it and he just took over I felt like he stood out hard He did He's so far been like my favorite sort of aesthetic Yes

Because every one of our characters has an aesthetic And a lot of it's been leaning into the sort of John Wick Like necktie Kevlar suit Like nice And so him coming in with this sort of like nomadic, like kind of scrapper or scavenger sort of look with the lever action rifle and like the cowboy revolver and the dog. I really love that aesthetic and that really appealed to me. And so just his, that alone endeared me to his character. And then the portrayal of this actor.

And I really hope we see this actor more in other films and like his career. continues to do well because yeah he was great he was really like you couldn't take your eyes off of him and he had kind of a minimal part compared to some of the other folks especially some of the big names in this that he really owned the screen whenever I feel like he I almost feel like he kind of stole it from a lot of them there were there were definitely some scenes he was like he had he had seen and he stole it by just being there you know and I'm like damn you're doing your job man And, like, a testament to that when they were cutting to him for reactions when they were dueling, you got so much story and engagement from his cut to. Yes.

Because, like, sometimes when you've got a character that's just on the wayside, they just cut to them to be like, oh, yeah, I remember this person's here. But, like, their reaction doesn't add a whole lot. His was definitely doing all, everything and more. All of the nonverbal acting he was doing just within that microcosm of the film was really phenomenal. Oh, I thought so. what I kind of missed in this one was the under layers of everything because I feel like in all the other ones

we kept like unveiling this new world and these new things and in a weird way we did because we went we're going off of like the duel of like old old rules and stuff but I felt like the other ones it was just like what? What is this place? What? The rules. What? You know

and I feel like I kind of was missing that that experience, but at the same time, I understand that now I feel like I'm a veteran in this film. Yeah. And I'm like, no, I'm such a veteran. Like, we know what they're talking about. I know exactly where we're going. I know exactly. Exactly. You know, and then, and so part of, but a part of me is also like, oh my God, this is great. Are we initiated into like, you know, it's like, I miss it. And then another part of me is like, no, I'm initiated in already. So, you know, after a while, things would get dull, but it's not dull. It's still just great.

We just felt more comfortable and confident in where we were and, like, not so, like, dumbfounded and, like, shocked, right? Yeah, it's, we, the second and third movies were the info dumps and the initiation into this world so we could have the fourth movie that was more about John within this world. And we know this world and we understand how they function. Exactly, exactly. And it's so, I just, I'm so fascinated with these films. And I can't hope, but absolutely love it.

There's not a dull moment. No. Whatsoever. The music's always fire. The action scenes are fire. The set design is fired. The wardrobe's fire. Yeah.

The editing's fire. Like every single, I feel like if you had a sit there and you had to break down, every department that has put work. like their love blood sweat into this there's nobody who is falling short whatsoever i feel like everybody's they brought their a game including the actors everybody's like on the top tier where it's like then and then that can't touch this i totally agree i fully agree my my one little nitpick and this is just like a personal stylistic choice because um obviously the fights are a big draw for the Johnwick franchise.

The first John Wick really established a certain caliber of fight scene, and they've really risen to the occasion and changed it up. And I've really enjoyed the creativity they've brought to each film. Like, there's the, like, Hall of Knives, I'll call it, or like the antique shop fight. I think in number three, that's super cool. And then this one's like the standout fight for me was the car outside the cars fight at the Larch de Triumph. I thought that was cool.

My one little nitpick is I feel like we rely too heavily on the Kevlar suits. Yeah. Oh, for this one? For sure. Especially in this one. Like, everybody in their grandmother had Kevlar suits and everybody could just take bullet after bullet after bullet. And like even John Wick would just take bullet after bullet after bullet.

And at a certain point, I just stopped. Yeah, I stopped being afraid of firearms. Yes. They no longer had weight. Like, yeah, we've got all this cool action ballistic stuff. But it's meaningless because everyone. Everybody takes 18 bullets to go down. And even then, they're just walking them off like it's nothing.

Like, I love the idea and I love the inventiveness of the Kevlar suit. And it was a cool trick when we introduced it. But everyone shouldn't have it. Yeah, it feels like it's being overused and overdone. Yes. And it really kind of cheapens some of the action in the fights because the stakes aren't quite there. I see that. I felt that too.

Yeah. 100%. I feel like that, like, because the other ones didn't really have much of it. No. And they didn't rely on it. So then it was just kind of like. damn where this one almost felt like it was like zombies coming back to life kind of deal

yeah yeah go oh sorry I keep saying I'm like no so I feel that and at the same time I'm like I'm gonna brush it off because you're so damn good but I agree with Michael it's a small nitpick like objectively again those fights are amazing I just I felt like we lost a little

bit of the stakes because of the mechanics of the world and like comparing it to the couple of times where we had the like full Kevlar gear guys I think in the third one when they stormed the New York Continental and then in the beginning of this one, like, I liked that gimmick because they're clearly covered in like full body armor. And then it made it difficult where you had to like figure out specific ways to get them

into situations where you could penetrate that armor. That's a cool fight. I like that a lot and I can believe. And it comes up with fun gimmicks of like the guy constantly being slammed into the drum because John's just like popping off every time to try and keep him down. But if everybody's got that in a suit, like bullets still move forward. fast. Like when you take a hit to bulletproof ballistic armor, it leaves a bruise underneath because all of that kinetic force is still going somewhere. It's just getting stopped. And so with like

thin Kevlar like the suit, you're going to be covered in bruises. Like you're not just shaking that stuff off, especially if you're just like holding a suit jacket in front of you. It's my one little piece of like I couldn't quite suspend my disbelief enough to buy it. But the rest of the fights, the hand-to-hand combat stuff when we got past the people with the suits, phenomenal. Yes. Really incredible stuff. And the technical caliber with which Keanu Reeves operates in these fights is just so mind-blowing. Just so cool.

I noticed an extra twice. And I'm like, I'm like, man, they shouldn't have brought him so close. Don't you hate it when that happens? When I noticed that, then I... The guy's a little too close to camera. thing when you work in film and then you start if you notice that then it pulls you out completely and you're like oh don't look don't look i had to literally right the moment i realized i'm like that's the same guy um because i had commented on it i had to kind of go shake it off don't look at the

background don't look at the extras anymore because i am that person who will find the extras over and over again at home right and it's and then it becomes a thing uh-huh and i'm like oh why sometimes that's like the downfall from being an actress or actor you know like and being in the industry you do notice certain things that the average person would not yeah and once you do it doesn't feel like a film anymore learning how the sausage is made both heightens and ruins the filmmaking experience it does my my wife complains sometimes when we watch films because i'll point out incontinuity or uh you know extras or you know little fun facts and she's He's like, just show up and watch the movie sometimes. I'm like, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. My younger sister is the worst with that stuff. Like, she's the worst.

She'll sit there and she'll start saying, oh, look, a boom. You know, like the boom's in the shot. Oh, look, whatever, whatever. And I'm like, Kelly, shut up. You're in it for me because I'm trying not to look for that stuff. Yeah, I'm trying to focus in. Because I've learned that I need to focus more on like the characters, whoever's in the main and every once in a while, my eye goes,

and I'm like, oh, okay. but anyways this film is absolutely outstanding and I still stand by they brought their A game they did 100% and they continued

they started with their A game they continued with their A game and it's like weird because I feel like they did such a phenomenal job they couldn't top it does that make sense it's so high

and they hit each time they're like ding thing thing right And it's like, it's like, they're going as high as you possibly can. Hit in the ceiling. How much farther can we get? Now, now, I love that we had that moment where that tall guy decides he wants to try to shoot the dog. That was so good.

They had to do that. They had to do it. They got to bring it back. And I love that John Wick looks at the guy. He's like, nah, dude, you're not taking anybody's puppy. And then I'm like, in my head, I'm like, you editor. Like you, little writer, like, savage, yeah, okay, you know what? We only took the puppy once, let's keep it there.

But it's like, oh, reminder, it's almost like a reminder. Ha, ha, ha, ha. Remember how much you hated me for this? Yeah, right? But it's almost like, it's almost like a tease. It's like, ha, ha, remember how much you hated me when I killed that dog? But look how much you love me now. Yeah.

Look how much you love my franchise. Look how much you love my creation. You're still here. And look how badass my story is. Look how badass my film is. You're right. And it's like, and it's almost like, all right, I'm okay. Because you were about ready to walk out in that first 15 minutes.

The first John Wick, the moment they did, I was like, I looked at Michael and he's like, Chris is okay. I'm like, no, dude, I'm done. I'm like, I'm not freaking watching this shit. I was so pissed. And so I think it's funny because I feel like the writer haunts me and haunts everybody. haunts everybody who had a problem with that and it's it's kind of hilarious and i i've said this before i love that he gave zero shits about what anybody thought and felt and he's like ha ha ha

and he just keeps throwing it in our face and we're still here supporting him and we're still here loving it and he's like like i just love that because i feel like most people especially today right like I feel like most people go oh I'm so sorry and they take it back or they try to change something or they re-edit he's like nah if you all we're I'm standing by my shit are committing like I'm committed to this I'm doing it whatever hate me all you want send me death threats send me whatever go shove it up your butt and die and boom here's another here's another here oh yeah remember when you hate me ha ha but I'm still getting your money you're right you get my money man here I will gladly go sa sa sa sa sa

Because this is a saucy little piece of juicy steak, and I'm here for it. Same. But still, F you for killing the dog. Suck. I hate you. Keep it up. Yes. Yes.

And then he's like, I got you, though. We're like, we're going to save that dog. We're going to save that dog. And look how vicious this dog looks, though. And look how sweet it is now. I love that puppy. Like, puppy is best boy. I just can't.

And I just, I'm not going to, I have to bring this up. love the crotch shots. Oh, yeah. Because it's everything that we always think of in fights, right? And we normally, I feel like in most films, they avoid it. Yeah. And it's like... Because there's like a weird sense of honor of like, we don't go for crotch shots.

You got to beat them the other way. If you're fighting clean, you're fighting wrong. And in John Wick, I feel like everybody's so damn good. They're like, I'm going for the crotch shot. Otherwise, I'm going to die. Yeah. Every time. And it's like, oh, I got you in your booty too.

Like, catch-o! Like, and I'm like... I'm like I would have done that too It's like their skills so high You gotta go for the crotch shots Gotta go for the crotch shots And I can't but love it I appreciate that

But you can do that here It is great Oh Anything else? No I think this is phenomenal I'm excited to see if they come out with another I'm also curious if this is where we end our saga With John Wick

But I feel like there's got to be at least one more in the tank, right? I really hope so because I'm obsessed and I want more. Yeah. I really do. And if they keep delivering what they've been delivering, why not keep it coming? Yeah. Yeah.

Like get that gravy train for it. I agree. You guys, let us know your thoughts. We had a blast. If you had a blast just like we did, hit that subscribe button, bell icons, all notifications of both this video, up both this video, up both this video, up both this Hey, if you haven't voted this video, you know what to do. Upvote that video.

If you've already done so, thank you so much for all your love and support. John Wick, Chapter 4, John Wick in general, badass mother trucker. I'm Chris and Subsino. I'm Michael Boose. We will see you next time. Avila!