John Wick: Chapter 2: Chad Stahelski stays true to the original film in this sequel: while the story and the world (as well as its mythology) expand a bit, it remains close to irrelevant enough. What matters here is the action and violence, and the death ballet is as efficiently delivered now as it was then. Evan Schiff’s editing makes the ultra-kinetic and busy gun fu action scenes stay clear, never disorienting. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen captures and lights the many beautiful and varied locations in a stylized manner. Keanu Reeves’ acting continues to be well-fit to this material: he is physically intense, but very low-key on the emoting. Minor roles are filled with interesting faces: returning Lance Reddick and Ian McShane are very fine; newcomers Franco Nero and Common are nice additions.

Read also: John Wick