John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
Blu-ray | 4K Ultra HD | DVD | Digital
Director: Chad Stahelski
Writer: Derek Kolstad, Shay Hatten, Chris Collins, Marc Abrams
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane
Distributor: Lionsgate
Rated R | Minutes: 131
Release date: September 10, 2019

A big part of what makes the John Wick franchise so popular is its mythology. It’s an action-packed trilogy that sees a secret world of assassins living amongst the populous. The fight choreography is splendid, with each fight and gun battle looking more like a beautiful stylized dance. It is the perfect way to showcase stunt work and highlight how vital stunt people are to a film like this one.

Now, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum gets its home release on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD. Check out my review of the film and all of its bonus features here below.

John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum continues the legacy of hard-hitting, brilliantly and beautifully stylized and choreographed action-packed neo-noir tale of an assassin who keeps trying to get out of the life, but somehow gets draw back into it. It sees the title character on a horse, using a katana to slay pursuing motorcyclists on the streets of New York, or a fine use of what only appears to be an infinite amount of bullets all to the tune of operatic music and some mixes of EDM and Moroccan. But part of the appeal is that director Chad Stahelski knows how to shoot a film. There is no need for him to use quick and sloppy cuts. He lets all the action speak for itself.

In this third film, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run after the High Table puts a $14 million bounty on his head for breaking the number one rule in the Continental: no business (in other words: no killing) is to be conducted on Continental grounds. After being given a head start, John looks for a “ticket” for safe passage to Casablanca, Morocco. An adjudicator with the High Table meets with Winston, the manager of the New York City Continental, and the Bowery King, the leader of a network of vagrant assassins.

Upset that John was able to kill a member of the High Table on Continental grounds, the adjudicator gives them seven days to give up their offices or face serious consequences. At the same time, she hires an assassin to act as an agent of the High Table. On the run, John meets up with Sofia (Halle Berry), a former friend and the manager of the Casablanca Continental, in order to make a deal to meet with the Elder, the only person known to be above the High Table, so that he can have the bounty waived.

John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum continues to maintain all of the beautifully choreographed fights that are not only brutal, but deliciously entertaining. All of it is set against the backdrop of a fantastical world and real-world cities. Though the film sees the title character at the end of his rope and up against a similar enemy who has raised the stakes, the action sequences are still inventive. It’s great to see that even though some things are the same, it can still look and feel refreshing. Once again, Reeves delivers a standout action performance and offers a deeper look at the character who goes far beyond his limits.

As far as picture quality goes for the Blu-ray, it’s a bit hard to tell considering that the film does take place mostly in the dark, with elements like rain taking away from the crispness of it all. That being said, neon colors still pop, and interiors still look beautiful. A bit of a contrast, but nothing that hurts the overall enjoyment of the film.

As for bonus features, once again, we get to see more of the man, the myth, and the legend known as John Wick. Furthermore, we get to see how the world of assassins who work for the High Table and how they operate in the featurette “Parabellum: Legacy of the High Table.” There are also other features, like “Bikes, Blades, Bridges, and Bits” that takes a look at some of the more complex action sequences in the film. And if you are a dog fan, you will obviously want to check out the “Dog Fu” bonus feature. For those who appreciate production design, “House of Transparency” takes a look at how the production design team makes everything about the world that we see in these John Wick films look so inviting and pleasant.

Bonus Features

4K UHD / BLU-RAY / DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES

– “Parabellum: Legacy of the High Table” Featurette
– “Excommunicado” Featurette
– “Check Your Sights” Featurette
– “Saddle Up Wick” Featurette
– “Bikes, Blades, Bridges, and Bits” Featurette
– “Continental in the Desert” Featurette
– “Dog Fu” Featurette
– “House of Transparency” Featurette
– “Shot by Shot” Featurette
– Theatrical Trailer #1
– Theatrical Trailer #2
– John Wick Hex Game Trailer
– “Behind the Scenes of John Wick Hex” Featurette

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

– “Parabellum: Legacy of the High Table” Featurette
– “Excommunicado” Featurette
– Theatrical Trailer #1
– Theatrical Trailer #2
– John Wick Hex Game Trailer
– “Behind the Scenes of John Wick Hex” Featurette

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