Chapter 4 Early Reactions Praise the Action-Packed Sets and Performances

Lionsgate’s highly anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4 held its London premiere on Monday night, along with various press screenings, with critics responding with early reactions on social media.

Although full reviews are still under embargo until a later date, early reactions from various critics (compiled by Rotten Tomatoes) are quite positive.

Many reviewers admitted they weren’t sure about the sequel’s massive nearly 3-hour runtime, though the sequel still won over a lot of reviewers.

Keanu Reeves returns as the title character, with critics praising his performance as well as that of franchise newcomer and martial arts legend Donnie Yen.

Some even went so far as to call the sequel, directed by Chad Stahelski, one of the greatest action movies of all time.

Vanessa Armstrong of SlashFilm tweeted, “#JohnWick4 is the best movie I’ve seen in ages!”

She added: “It’s like a Greek epic which is, yes, full of unprecedented action (and weaponry), and the sets are phenomenal. But it’s also about relationships and love.

‘What a breathtaking and heartbreaking story! I can’t wait to see him again,” she concluded.

CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg was one of many critics who were wary of the runtime, but he was clearly won over.

“I had reservations about John Wick: Chapter 4’s nearly three-hour runtime, but the movie deserves it,” he begins.

“It’s an epic with smart pacing that never leaves the action exhausting, and the set pieces are phenomenal.” Great cast of newcomers to the show, but Donnie Yen is the MVP,” he added.

Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com added: ‘#JohnWick4 is absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Keanu Reeves finds new ways to impress with jaw-dropping action and surrounds himself with incredible newcomers to the franchise. Chapters 1-3 built in the world and Chapter 4 could work with all of this. An epic explosion on the big screen. MOVIE THEATER!’

Courtney Howard of Fresh Fiction said, “Muscular, daring and badass, #JohnWick4 brilliantly balances earned stakes with an absolutely spectacular thrill ride. A hovering, burning and torrid chapter of the saga. The craziest moment you will have at the cinema this year. A pure rush of adrenaline.

Howard added in another tweet, ‘As for the heavy in #JohnWick4, Bill Skarsgard is great at giving depth and dimension to his ostentatious, arrogant, crazy persona. Playing an opportunist, Shamier Anderson is good at bringing duality to his role. He has some fantastic movie moments with the dog.

Simon Thompson of The Playlist added, “#JohnWick4 is the best in action cinema.” This jaw-dropping, bloody, ballistic ballet delivers a jaw-dropping 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.

Scott Mendelson of The Wrap added, “#JohnWick4 is, at least from a technical standpoint, one of the greatest Hollywood action movies ever made.” It’s visually stunning with incredibly intricate and creative sets. Honestly, I don’t know how they made some of these scenes safe. It is an imposing artistic achievement.

Collider’s Thérèse Lascon added: ‘#JohnWick4 is an action-packed, gory kill-fest, and that’s what makes it good! Normally, I don’t like action so much in my movies, but Stahelski makes every frame count. Yes, it’s ridiculous. Yes, that’s the logic of the video game. Yes, it’s extra like hell. Yes, I will look again!’

Insider’s Kristen Acuna added, “#JohnWick4 is a fucking good time. Great action and combat sequences. Donnie Yen is an AMAZING addition to the franchise. It is a highlight of the film. Lots of surprises in this one that will deliver a divisive ending. See this one in IMAX.’

Brandon Davis added in another tweet, ‘Donnie Yen, Hiroyuki Sanada and Rina Sawayama are all scene stealers. Each has so much style, charisma, and talent on display to enrich the film as a whole. Chad Stahelski also upped his game and ditched one of my favorite action scenes. You will know it.

Acuna also appeared to reference the same scene, stating, “There’s an action sequence that I kept thinking about long after the movie ended that is SO well done.” I wanted to go back and see it again instantly. Definitely going to be a fan favorite. A few of the action sequences from this one will make the fans really happy.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to hit theaters nationwide on March 24.