With "John Wick 3: Parabellum", Too Much Of A Good Thing Is Still Too Much

This John Wick franchise may never be able to rekindle that surprise-hit sensation that the first film generated when a pet died and John Wick raged over it. After a sequel with more of the action that audiences demanded, John Wick 3 is here to dish up even more of the same. And I’ve got to say…I think I’m over it.

John Wick 3 picks up immediately after the nail-biting cliffhanger from part two, with Wick injured and facing an impending excommunicado sentence meant to end his life. With everyone coming after him, Wick must reach the top of The Table’s chain of command in a desperate attempt to get his death sentence reversed.

Keanu Reeves still wears the role of Wick perfectly and upholds his authentic connection to the character. And most of the side characters add great entertainment value to the film, even if others seem scripted just to weigh the story down…in some cases even being completely miscast.

One thing’s clear: the simplicity of John Wick’s original premise is long gone, and the world Wick inhabits now seems to have grown faster than a comprehensive story could keep up with. But the good news for action fans is John Wick 3 is practically sensory overload. Kind of like simultaneously video gaming two or three video games. Or like chugging a quad-shot latte immediately after already having chugged a quad-shot latte. Or, in fact, like John Wick trying way too hard to be like John Wick.

Acting and Casting - 1 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 0 | Reviewer's Preference - 1 | What does this mean?