JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3–PARABELLUM—-All of this for what? Because of a puppy?

As the 77 enemies he dispatched in the first movie and the 128 (!) he sent directly to Assassin Hell in the second could attest, it does not pay for mere mortals to risk pension suspension by tangling with burning the Wick. What need He of many superfluous words when He talks most eloquently with hands, feet and implements? In this rocketing 2019 entry, another 94 fools must be pitied. That’s not counting those racked & stacked by helper ‘Sofia’ (Halle Berry), her attack dogs and a well-placed, cooperative horse.

Plot-wise, the only description needed is that it picks right up from the 2nd installment, as Wick is now pursued with even greater determination by a legion of hit men eager to collect a $14,000,000 bounty on his head. Bound by an honor code, a few will help him, but they pay a price. Everyone in Wick’s universe settles up eventually.

Returning to Wick World are Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and Lance Reddick. Along with Halle Berry (52, fearsome, fit and fine), new to the fray are Anjelica Huston, Asia Kate Dillon, Mark Dacascos, Yahan Ruhian (fans of The Raid will approve),Saïd Taghmaoui and some sleek Belgian Malinois.

Once more directed by Chad Stehelski, co-written by Wick creator Derek Kolstad (with three other writers pitching in), it’s strikingly designed and photographed, brilliantly choreographed and edited, gasp-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny for its insane bravura.

Filmed over six months in New York City, with a side trip to Morocco (Casablanca and the Sahara Desert). Produced for $75,000,000, a planetary lasso of $326,700,000 made it the 25th most-seen offering of 2019. 131 minutes sprint by like 90. Well ‘executed’, John. *

* While it took $75,000,000 to make the movie, note these additional costs—-$48,000,000 for worldwide prints & advertising, $13,000,000 for video costs, $12,000,000 for “participation’s”, $9,000,000 for “residuals & off-the-tops” and $12,000,000 for interest. Total—$169,000,000, banking on Mr.Wick to deliver. A good example of a sure bet.