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John Wick: The Action Thriller Franchise That Keeps Getting Better

John Wick is a name that has become synonymous with high-octane action, stylish visuals, and a captivating story of a former hitman who is forced back into the criminal underworld he had left behind. The franchise, created by Derek Kolstad and starring Keanu Reeves as the titular character, has spawned four films so far, with two more in development, as well as a spin-off film and a television series. Here are some of the reasons why John Wick is one of the best action thriller franchises of all time.

The Character of John Wick

One of the main attractions of the franchise is the protagonist himself, John Wick. He is a man of few words, but many skills. He is an expert in martial arts, firearms, and stealth, and he can take on dozens of enemies at once with ease. He is also a man of honor, loyalty, and love. He retired from his life as a hitman to marry his beloved wife Helen, who died of cancer and left him a dog as a final gift. When a group of thugs killed his dog and stole his car, he embarked on a quest for revenge that set him on a collision course with the powerful crime syndicate known as the High Table. Along the way, he met allies and enemies from his past, and revealed more about his mysterious origins and motivations.

The World of John Wick

Another aspect that makes the franchise stand out is the rich and immersive world that it creates. The films introduce us to a hidden society of assassins, who operate under a strict code of conduct and use specialized gold coins as currency. They also have access to a network of services and resources that cater to their needs, such as the Continental hotel chain, which serves as neutral ground for the underworld, where no business is allowed on its premises. The films also explore the history and hierarchy of the High Table, a council of twelve leaders who rule over the criminal world and enforce its rules with ruthless efficiency. The films also showcase various locations around the world, such as New York, Rome, Casablanca, and Tokyo, where John Wick encounters different cultures and challenges.

The Action Scenes of John Wick

Perhaps the most obvious reason why John Wick is so popular is the amazing action scenes that it delivers. The films are known for their inventive and realistic choreography, which combines elements of gun fu, martial arts, car chases, knife fights, and more. The films also use practical effects and minimal CGI, which adds to the realism and intensity of the action. The films also feature a variety of weapons and gadgets that John Wick uses to dispatch his foes, such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, knives, grenades, pencils, books, horses, dogs, and even a belt. The films also have a distinctive visual style that uses neon colors, dark shadows, and slow motion to create stunning images.

The Future of John Wick

The franchise shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The fourth film in the series is scheduled to be released in 2023, and will continue John Wick’s story after he survived being shot by Winston Scott, the manager of the Continental New York, who betrayed him to appease the High Table. The film will also introduce new characters played by Laurence Fishburne, George Georgiou, Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, Rina Sawayama, Shamier Anderson, Bill SkarsgÃ¥rd, Scott Adkins, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Halle Berry ,and more. The fifth film in the series is also in development, and was originally planned to be shot back-to-back with the fourth film. A spin-off film titled Ballerina is also in the works, which will focus on a female assassin who seeks revenge against those who killed her family. A television series titled The Continental: From the World of John Wick is also set to premiere in 2023, which will explore the origins and inner workings of the Continental hotel chain.

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