Mythological and cinematic references. Beautiful and amazing. A truly brilliant action film.

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While he's more flawed in a way, I also feel really, really bad for him by the end of the film.

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I wouldn't say he's more flawed, because he's just as morally bad in the first film as he was in this one. And I admire the fact that the story doesn't try to sugarcoat that. I feel less bad for him this time around - consequences come back for him as they do for us all - but I'm excited to see what happens next.

My favorite moment in the film is still the moment he broke the unbreakable rule. I really did not think that would happen, so it was one hell of an emotional payoff when it did.

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My favorite moment in the film is still the moment he broke the unbreakable rule.

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But maybe that's the trick... maybe Winston was pulling his strings and setting him up for that moment... just like the Oracle did in the other trilogy...
food for thought.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/john-wick-2-3-director-chad-stahelski-interview-tv-series-superhero-movie-chapter-prequel-a7786406.html

You turn John Wick from hunter to hunted while also expanding the world, which seems like a natural progression of the story.
That’s something I thought would an interesting change. It seemed like the right arch to do. Then, in the third one, we’ll be able to show what he’s like as the predator, what he would have been like before the first one.

bring.it.on.

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I thought uh-huh.... does he look civilized to you?

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Is it the beard? :|

Viggo: What happened, John? We were professionals.Civilized.
Wick: Do I look civilized to you?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/john-wick-septembers-comic-book-launch-tells-characters-origin-1014973

https://www.inverse.com/article/33174-john-wick-comic-book-origin-greg-pak

JOHN WICK 2: The Influence of Silent Cinema

http://entertainment.ie/cinema/news/Watch-Video-essay-explains-how-John-Wick-Chapter-2-is-influenced-by-silent-cinema/394824.htm

https://filmschoolrejects.com/influence-silent-cinema-john-wick-franchise/

https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/06/john-wick-2s-car-chase-is-a-work-of-art-and-keanu-reeves-is-a-master-driver/

... took 'them' a while to notice there's something in the way he moves... Others have noticed since 1999 ;)
Or maybe there's no coincidence that Stahelski connected the dots and finally opened the world's eyes to the poetry of Reeves in motion :D

Anyway. It's a nice read ;)

http://www.cinemablend.com/news/1708240/john-wick-fans-will-soon-be-able-to-fight-enemies-in-a-new-york-city-thrill-ride

heh :)

also, THIS
https://the-avocado.org/2017/12/12/scene-dissections-best-of-2017-john-wick-chapter-2-silenced-shootout/
the comments, too

https://screenrant.com/best-worst-movie-characters-2017-ranked/

4. Best: John Wick – John Wick 2

John Wick 2 isn’t as memorable as the original, but the character is just as iconic the second time around. The Baba Yaga himself, Wick is one of best trained killers in the world. After he finds himself dragged back into the underground world ofa assassins, he must quickly complete a mission and win his freedom so he can return back to the quiet life that he now cherishes.
Keanu Reeves fully dedicated himself to the character, learning various fighting styles and stunt driving, and his dedication shows off. The action scenes are all shot with long-takes that show the action instead of cutting away, allowing Wick’s movements to come to life.
A relatively quiet character, John Wick tells the audiences a lot about himself through the way he moves. Too bad for Wick – no matter how badly he wants a quiet life, he’s stuck in a deadly game that will only end with pain.

https://www.gamezone.com/originals/top-10-movies-of-2017/
Fans of the first 'John Wick' were pleased to discover the second chapter in the series was more than a worthy successor. When legendary assassin, John Wick, is forced back into action thanks to a blood oath he took during his career, he will stop at nothing and no one to finally be free of the life he's so desperately been trying to escape. The driving force of these movies is the heart-pounding action made all the more thrilling thanks to the commitment of veteran actor, Keanu Reeves. These movies would not be as enjoyable if it weren't for his obvious care and consideration for the franchise and it shines through more evident than ever in 'Chapter 2'. The ending even does a phenomenal job of getting audiences excited for the next one, suggesting a total departure of form that might prove for one of the greatest action trilogies of all time.

http://www.indiewire.com/2017/12/best-sequels-21st-century-movies-film-1201911817/2/
11. John Wick: Chapter Two (2017)
One of 2014's greatest surprises was "John Wick," because much like his on screen alter ego, you just can’t keep Keanu Reeves down. But it's also easy enough for action sequels to lose the thread of what made them so successful in the first place in favor of bigger guns and bigger explosions. "John Wick 2" manages to build on what made the first film so great, namely fast cars, lots of guns and Keanu kicking plenty of ass, but it smartly expands the assassin’s world, giving a small peek behind the luxurious curtains at The Continental. Sure, the badass fights are even better (the shootout in a hall of mirrors is superbly executed), but there’s also an awesome "Matrix" reunion with Laurence Fishburne, laden with hints of Wick's shadowy past as the history between the two teases itself to the surface. At the end of the movie you know Wick is a marked man, even more than even, but it only makes you want to see how he'll shoot himself out of trouble even more. — JR

http://www.cgmagonline.com/2018/01/01/cgmagazine-best-2017-film-part-2/
Best Action Flick: John Wick: Chapter 2
For viewers out there who love nothing more in cinema than watching a bad guy get punched in the face in the most creative way possible, the John Wick franchise was been a welcome addition to action movie lore. The Keanu Reeves headlined franchise has grown into an entire tongue-in-cheek universe of super assassins who spend half their time killing each other and the other half living in lavish secret hotels. It's ridiculous, but everyone involved knows exactly what they are doing and have created a perfect delivery system for some of the finest physical action scenes of this or any age. John Wick officially grew from a surprising action movie underdog into a genuine genre icon this year. Bring on Chapter 3 as soon as possible; Keanu isn't getting any younger and the genre isn't quite as fun anywhere else.

http://www.yourvalleyvoice.com/news/20180101/top-10-movies-of-2017
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 – Like "Terminator 2," "Aliens," and "The Empire Strikes Back," this is a sequel that was as good as if not better than the original, and the original was damn good. Keanu Reeves is a sort of unstoppable hit man, operating in a kind of alternate universe, who has his world turned against him.

http://www.c-ville.com/unlikely-triumphs-critic-picks-favorite-films-2017/
John Wick: Chapter 2
Good filmmaking is good filmmaking, okay? There are some deep sociopolitical statements on this list, but in the end, movies are all about how well you can tell a story with the resources you have. In the case of John Wick: Chapter 2, those resources are some of the best technicians in the industry and the most committed and disciplined American movie star possibly in history. Much has been made of Keanu Reeves’ stiffness as an actor, but there is no question that this man belongs on the screen delivering remarkable physical performances. The stakes are ramped up from the previous installment as is the craftsmanship, turning what was a fun action flick into a franchise that could bring the best of Hong Kong genre cinema stateside.

1. John Wick 2 (USA)
Actions have consequences, and in this case it's the beautiful action from the first film that results in the even more electrifying antics of this follow-up. We're once again treated to gun-fu and a crunch/crash-filled car chase, but it's all elevated even more through some of the most gorgeous cinematography and production design you're likely to find in the genre. You're wowed by the action and simultaneously stunned by the visuals, and you can't help but want to re-watch it all immediately.

Exclusive JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 Deleted Scene: "The Cleaner"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvKyZDiFO8E

John Wick 2 Deleted Scenes La Pope, Charlie, Aurelio and Santino