While reviews are yet to trickle in, first reaction has been hitting for the highly anticipated release of “John Wick: Chapter 4,” which is set to begin theatrically on March 24.
Fans and critics got a chance to see early screenings of the film in recent days with a few short postings on Twitter by various journalists. However, overall the atmosphere is fantastic which is being appreciated all around.
Praise ran high for the action, performances and visuals, with the work of the great Donnie Yen and rising star Reena Swayamma especially highly praised, with the film’s lush shot composition and palette plus mixed technical qualities.
Here’s a sampling of reviews from attendees who also work at media outlets
“I really liked #JohnWick4! It’s amazing to remember that big franchise blockbusters can look (good) like this. Dan Lusten, you have my heart, my sword, my whatever. Didn’t take too long , you can ignore the lore (who cares!!) there’s one thing I used to hate (because it’s dumb). – Katie Walsh, The LA Times
“I had my reservations about the nearly three-hour runtime of John Wick: Chapter 4, but the film pays off. It’s an epic with smart pacing that never lets the action feel tedious, and the set pieces are phenomenal. Great cast of series newcomers, but Donnie Yen is the MVP. #JohnWick4″ – Eric Eisenberg, CinemaBlend
“Powerful, bold and badass, #JohnWick4 brilliantly balances inherent stakes with an exhilarating, high octane thrill ride. A soaring, burning, scorching chapter in the saga. Your hottest at the movies this year.” Gonna be the wildest time. A pure adrenaline rush. – Courtney Howard, Variety
“#JohnWick4 is, at least from a technical POV, one of the greatest action movies Hollywood has ever made. It’s gorgeous to look at with amazingly intricate and creative setpieces. I honestly don’t know how they did it.” How to do some of the scenes safely. It’s a colossal artistic achievement. – Scott Mendelson, Forbes
“#JohnWick4 is the best movie I’ve seen in ages! It’s like a Greek epic, yes, full of unique action (and guns), and the set pieces are phenomenal. But it’s about relationships and love.” What a touching, heartwarming story! I can’t wait to see it again.” , vanessa armstong, slashfilm
“John Wick: Chapter 4 is absolutely massive. Yes, it’s long, but it more than makes up for it with spectacularly good set pieces. A slick, brutal and stylish action epic that sees Keanu Reeves pushing himself further than ever , and with moments that will have fans talking. Unfortunately, I really felt that run time drag – and it all got pretty muddled by the finale. But it’s an absolute treat for action fans. PS . Rina Swayamyama deserves her own spin-off. She kills it. As does Donnie Yen, of course she does” – Eamon Jacobs, Insider
“#JohnVick4 is action cinema at its finest. This breathtaking, bloody and ballistic ballet provides a bone-crunching crescendo to one of the greatest action franchises of all time. Pure power, #JohnWick4 is as exhilarating as it is exhausting. Reeves’ wick transcends icon status. , Simon Thompson, IndieWire
Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Bill Skarsgård, Clancy Brown, Shamier Anderson, Hiroyuki Sanada and Scott Adkins co-star in this fourth film in which Keanu Reeves takes to the high table. The film is directed by Chad Stahelski and opens in theaters March 24.