Movie Review: John Wick: Chapter 4

 

He is a man of Focus. Commitment. Sheer Will. And he's back to finish the fight with the High Table at all costs.

It's bee nearly a decade since Keanu Reeves literally revived his career by playing the assassin and hitman known as "John Wick" - with the eponymous first film directed by his longtime collaborator and stuntman Chad Stahelski bowing into theaters in 2014 and telling the story of "Baba Yaga" as he seeks revenge on those that stole his car and killed his dog after the untimely passing of his wife Helen. The action flick proved to be a major hit. - so it spawned two more sequels with "John Wick: Chapter 2" in 2017 and "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" in 2019, which expanded John's world even further as we got to know more about the criminal underworld he lived in as he faced more obstacles to try and get out of the assassin life he reluctantly walked back into.

Now after enduring a global pandemic and delays brought about by it, John Wick: Chapter 4 is now here to bring you even more gratuitous violence, action sequences, and grit that only Keanu and his team can deliver. As the longest installment in the franchise, Chapter 4 clocks in at a whopping 2 Hours and 50 Minutes - which it deservingly gets thanks to all the story threads and stunt work applied for what is undoubtedly Mr. Wick's finest moment in cinema yet. 

Thanks to Viewer's Choice Philippines and SM Cinema, I was invited to the screening of John Wick: Chapter 4 with expectations high and excitement up in the air. I dressed up alongside my friends as Caine - the blind hitman assassin and new character in the film that's played by the legendary Hong Kong martial artist and actor Donnie Yen. His role as John's old friend turned adversary is a welcomed one - and this sequel is packed with other big stars and names from Hollywood that just adds to the spectacle of this pretty awesome movie.

Here's my review for John Wick: Chapter 4. Spoiler Warning naturally for anyone that wants to see it themselves!

Movie Review: Shazam: Fury of the Gods

 

It's been four years since "Shazam!" hit the big screen to introduce lots of lighting and shouting a certain magic word, and at the end of the first film we didn't get just one new superhero in Billy Batson - but a whole bunch of them as the kid shared his powers with his foster family and collectively became known as the Shazam Family! That film was definitely a DC movie unlike any other, and traded the seriousness and dark atmosphere of the DCEU for something more grounded and family oriented that worked to the character's strengths while providing a hearty serving of jokes and adventure that ensured viewers it was all about the fun and not taking things seriously at all.

With the first film proving to be a Box Office success, a sequel was inevitable and now it has arrived after long delays and a pandemic to navigate through. Shazam: Fury of the Gods is finally showing in theaters - and I got the chance to see the film in all its magical glory and silly heroics on IMAX thanks to the folks at Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema! There was lots of fun, cosplay, and definitely an atmosphere full of energy! Was it worth the wait and does it live up to its predecessor? Check out the review below and of course here's your SPOILER WARNING in case you want to see it wit fresh eyes!

Movie Review: Creed III

 

The Creed saga has been one of the best spin-off franchises ever to grace the silver screen, and it's tall order to follow in the footsteps of one of the best sport dramas ever made in the history of Hollywood cinema. After two impactful films that introduced us to Adonis Creed and literally passed the torch from longtime protagonist Rocky Balboa, Michael B. Jordan returns once again as Apollo Creed's son - and this time he also makes his directorial debut for the third installment aptly titled as "Creed III".

Thanks to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema, I got to see the film last night in IMAX over at SM North EDSA! As a first time director, it's double duty for Michael B. Jordan as he not only has to act and play the lead but also guide a whole production process as well. It may seem like a tall order, but the 36-year old actor actually presents a worthwhile sequel that not only presents Adonis at the peak of his boxing career but also introducing another part of his past he can't run from in the form of a childhood friend turned adversary played by the talented Jonathan Majors.

Straightforward and pretty much Jordan's love letter to the Rocky spin-off franchise as well as all things anime, Creed III succeeds in sticking to a round-a-bout story of a man who confronts one part of his past he long thought forgotten until it literally shows up in his doorstep. Riding high just after making his very impressive debut as Kang The Conqueror in Ant-Man and The Wasp, Jonathan Majors is the perfect rival to Michael's Adonis Creed. The two practically grew up as brothers and are now at odds after Donnie gives his old friend a shot at the title and he wins it through deception and treachery. It's the tried and true Rocky formula of the underdog coming out on top - except now it's someone who's like a combination of Clubber Lang and Balboa's former and ungrateful protege Tommy Gunn. Even though he is retired and enjoying raising a daughter with his wife Bianca, Donnie must once again step into the ring to exorcise his own demons and fight a battle of redemption and closure against a brother turned enemy.

Even without Sylvester Stallone's presence as Rocky, Michael B. Jordan shines through as actor and director for his third outing as Apollo Creed's son in "Creed III". If you started the young fighter's journey with the first film in 2015 and followed things up with the sequel in 2018, it's going to be a straightforward, impactful, and emotional ride that packs a punch and is a true successor to the Rocky series through and through. Donnie has stepped out of his mentor's shadow, and it truly is his time to shine with his own journey and story.

Creed III is now showing in cinemas!

Rating - 5/5