REVIEW | "John Wick: Chapter 4" falls into a particular kind of aftermath inflation

() — Inflation comes in many forms, including duration overload that can affect sequels. Thus, the 90 minutes of “John Wick” becomes 2 hours and 49 minutes in “John Wick: Chapter 4,” an epic showcasing the dazzling stunt work the franchise is known for, while also carrying the action. to almost exhausting extremes.

The film has an added degree of emotional resonance, but that’s because of what happened off-screen, not on it, with the unexpected death of co-star Lance Reddick. Although Reddick has a supporting role, his appearance is sobering.

Beyond that, the extra length is devoted, charitably, to presenting as much inventive chaos as possible, with Keanu Reeves’ taciturn hitman trying to break free of his ties to the shadowy organization known as The High Table, as usual. , killing everyone, fighting his way to the scornful leader (Bill Skarsgård) who has put a hefty bounty on his head.

The film takes its opponents up a notch with the addition of Donnie Yen as Caine, an old friend and associate of Wick’s who has been reluctantly tasked with taking him down and is just as skilled. in the art of killing and continuing to kill. Shamier Anderson also joins the action as a mysterious mercenary, accompanied by an equally deadly dog, whose motivations are as difficult to decipher as Wick’s kevlar suits.

Director Chad Stahelski draws humor from Caine’s reticence and the over-the-top nature of the carnage, dragging out the violent sequences so long they exhaust stamina. Once again, the film benefits from the quality of the supporting cast, especially Ian McShane’s world-weary Winston, who as always seems to steal every scene in which he appears.

The problem is that with such a large canvas and so many elaborate action set pieces – including a lengthy fight through the busy streets of Paris – Wick can’t help but repeat his signature fighting moves over and over and over again (punch, shoot, repeat). , until the effect is more numbing than exciting.

The mere fact that the franchise has reached the “Chapter 4” phase underscores the value attached to the name and Reeves’s affiliation with this type of muscle-bound vehicle so heavily bent towards action that it’s a good thing the star isn’t known. I pay you per word.

At one point, Caine preempts a fight with Wick by saying, “Let’s get this sh*t over with,” which elicits laughter at the time.

However, by the time “Chapter 4” closes its pages, the phrase resonates in a way that is somewhat more serious and literal than intended.

“John Wick: Chapter 4” opened on March 24 in theaters in the United States. It is rated R.