John Wick: Chapter 2

is a faster, louder, more flamboyant, more violent version of its predecessor.  Some of those descriptions may be hard to believe, but they are all true.  This one turns up the volume in almost every area.

Some of that increase is quite successful.  The film provides a great deal more world-building than the first movie, and most of that material is both interesting and entertaining, even humorous at times.  Many of the action sequences work very well.

Some of those sequences, though, like some of the other bigger, bolder bits run on a bit too long and use somewhat repetitive fight choreography.  Where the first movie was a very tight 1:41, this one runs 2:02, and though I had a good time watching it all, the movie could have used a tighter edit.

All that said, if you enjoyed the first John Wick, and I very much did, you're going to like this one.  Some in our group enjoyed it more than the first, though most of us found it the weaker sibling.

This one begins right after the previous film and ends with a scene that will undoubtedly move straight into the sequel.  I'm not at all sure how the sequel can work, given where this one ends, but I'll be in the theater to find out.

If you liked John Wick or are just in the mood for big, dumb action, check out John Wick:  Chapter 2.