Chapter 4 early reactions praise the action-packed set pieces and performances

By Brian Gallagher For Dailymail.com 03:01 09 March 2023, Updated 04:59 09 Mar 2023

Lionsgate’s much-anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4 premiered in London on Monday night alongside various press screenings, with critics buzzing with early reactions on social media.

While full reviews are still embargoed until a later date, early reactions coming in from various critics (compiled by Rotten Tomatoes) are quite positive.

Many critics admitted that they were unsure of the sequel’s large running time of nearly 3 hours, although the sequel still won over many critics.

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 have even gone so far as to call the sequel, directed by Chad Stahelski, one of the greatest action films of all time.

Reaction: Lionsgate’s much-anticipated John Wick: Chapter 4 held its premiere in London on Monday night alongside various press screenings, with critics buzzing with early reactions on social media. and also that of franchise newcomer and martial arts legend Donnie Yen

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

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

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

CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg was one of many critics wary of the airtime, but it was clearly earned.

“I had reservations about John Wick: Chapter 4 being nearly three hours long, but the movie wins it,” he begins.

“It’s a smartly paced epic that never lets the action feel overwhelming, and the sets are phenomenal. Great cast of series newcomers, but Donnie Yen is the MVP,’ he added.

ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis added, ‘#JohnWick4 absolutely rocks, start at the end. Keanu Reeves finds new ways to impress with stunning action and surrounds himself with incredible newcomers to the franchise. World-built Chapters 1-3 and Chapter 4 can work with all of it. An epic big screen blast. CINEMA!’

Fresh Fiction’s Courtney Howard stated: ‘Tricky, daring and weird, #JohnWick4 brilliantly balances its stakes with an absolutely spectacular, high-octane thrill ride. A flying, fiery, scorching chapter in the saga. The wildest time you’ll have at the movies this year. Pure adrenaline.’

Best: Vanessa Armstrong of SlashFilm tweeted, ‘#JohnWick4 is the best movie I’ve seen in ages! Won: CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg was one of many critics wary of the airtime, but it clearly won over Rocks: ComicBook.com’s Brandon Davis added, ‘#JohnWick4 absolutely rocks, from start to finish. Keanu Reeves finds new ways to impress with stunning action and surrounds himself with incredible newcomers to the franchise. World-built Chapters 1-3 and Chapter 4 can work with all of it. An epic big screen blast. CINEMA!’ Brawny: Fresh Fiction’s Courtney Howard stated: ‘Scary, daring and badass, #JohnWick4 brilliantly balances its stakes with an absolutely spectacular, high-octane thrill ride. A flying, fiery, scorching chapter in the saga. The wildest time you’ll have at the movies this year. A pure adrenaline rush’

Howard added in another tweet, ‘As for the heavies in #JohnWick4, Bill Skarsgard is great at building depth and dimension into his invisible, arrogant, weasel character. Playing an opportunist, Shamier Anderson is able to bring a duality to his role. He has fantastic movie moments with the dog.’

The Playlist’s Simon Thompson added: “#JohnWick4 is action cinema at its best. This breathtaking, bloody and ballistic ballet delivers a sharp crescendo to one of the greatest action franchises of all time. Pure power, #JohnWick4 is as thrilling as it is exhausting. Reeves’ Wick transcends icon status.’

Scott Mendelson of The Wrap added: “#JohnWick4 is, at least by a technical examination, one of the greatest Hollywood action films ever made. It’s visually stunning with amazingly intricate and creative set-pieces. I honestly don’t know how they certainly did some of these scenes. It’s a remarkable artistic achievement.’

Collider’s Therese Lascon added, ‘#JohnWick4 is an action-packed, bloody, murder-fest and that’s what makes it good! I don’t usually like action that much in my movies, but Stahelski makes every frame count. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s video game logic. Yeah, it’s extra as hell. Yes, I’ll watch again!’

Insider’s Kristen Acuna added, ‘#JohnWick4 is a good time. Great action and fight sequences. Donnie Yen is an incredible addition to the franchise. It is a highlight of the film. Lots of surprises in this one that will deliver a shattering ending. See this 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 delivered one of my favorite action scenes, ever. You will know it.

Acuna also seemed to possibly be referring to the same scene, saying, “There’s an action sequence that I kept thinking about long after the movie was over that was so well done. I wanted to go back and rewatch it right away. I definitely would.” be a fan favorite. Some of the action sequences in this will make fans really happy’.

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

More praise: Howard added in another tweet, ‘As for the heavy stuff in #JohnWick4, Bill Skarsgard is great at building depth and dimension into his obvious, cocky, weasel character. Playing an opportunist, Shamier Anderson is able to bring a duality to his role. He has fantastic movie moments with the dog; Cinema: The Playlist’s Simon Thompson added, ‘#JohnWick4 is action cinema at its finest. This breathtaking, bloody and ballistic ballet delivers a sharp crescendo to one of the greatest action franchises of all time. Pure power, #JohnWick4 is as exciting as it is exhausting. Reeves’ Wick transcends icon status.’ Biggest: The Wrap’s Scott Mendelson added, ‘#JohnWick4 is, at least by a technical examination, one of the greatest Hollywood action films ever made. It is visually stunning with amazingly intricate and creative equipment. I honestly don’t know how they made some of these scenes for sure. It’s a remarkable artistic achievement’ Action-packed: Collider’s Therese Lascon added, ‘#JohnWick4 is an action-packed, bloody, murder-fest and that’s what makes it good! I don’t usually like action that much in my movies, but Stahelski makes every frame count. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s video game logic. Yeah, it’s extra as hell. Yes, I’ll watch again!’ Bloody: The Insider’s Kristen Acuna added, ‘#JohnWick4 is a good time. Great action and fight sequences. Donnie Yen is an incredible addition to the franchise. It is a highlight of the film. Lots of surprises in this one that will deliver a shattering ending. See this in IMAX Favorite: 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 threw in one of my favorite action scenes, ever. You’ll know’ Same scene: Acuna also seemed to possibly refer to the same scene, saying, “There’s an action sequence for which I kept thinking long after the movie was done it’s so well done. I wanted to go back and rewatch it right away. It’s definitely going to be a fan favorite. Some of the action sequences in this will make fans really happy’