Hey, John. Let's Talk

[@flamingo_with_tophat296]

I will never get tired of that intro music man

[@carpemkarzi]

Hell yeah

[@staydoogan]

now if I could only decipher the words 😭 I still belt it out though.

[@jenh101]

It really is something isn’t it? I get chills every time.

[@bornjusticerule5764]

🤙🏿

[@mbryson2899]

No lie! 😁

[@thepaladxn]

So glad you are still around. Keep making Joy Mikey

[@hAze_the_shrimp]

John Wick 4 is definitely meant to be the "depression and acceptance" film of the john wick franchise. In John Wick 3, he bargains his way through the movie in John Wick 2, he's very angry... has more energy i noticed. in john wick 1, he's also very angry but also in full on denial.

[@lkf8799]

"I'm not back." 😂

[@hAze_the_shrimp]

@@lkf8799 "I'm thinking I'm not back"

[@fragout9575]

Ioseph was an asshole and couldn't accept his rejection and his ego was bruised. So his pseudo "Alpha flex" ended his and his father's life over "a car and a puppy..." In other words "he started it!" 😂

[@CractusJohn]

That was such a freaky notification to get on my phone

[@andrewalfonso8142]

Hahahah

[@AshyGr33n]

What's your other KZbin handle, DickHaley?

[@silverXnoise]

Only time I’ve ever wished I’d rang that cursed bell.

[@jpaxonreyes]

Me too! I said, "You can send personalized messages on KZbin now? But I go by Jon without the H!.... oh."

[@zephyrbean]

"Working every hour I wasn't at the hospital" hits really, REALLY hard. Lost my dad recently after having been his caretaker for 2+ years, and that describes my last 8 months. Filmjoy, you have my entire (from the depths of my intestines, soul, what have you) respect. I, and no other being either, will know what you went through. The best I can do from inside this 3 lb. universe I'm trapped in, is say "I feel empathetic enough to want to try to assuage your pain." I can't and won't. Just know you've touched a complete stranger's heart, and helped them feel a little more human.

[@gimmevideobish]

I do love the John Wick angle of "your protagonist is an unstoppable monster, carving a horror villain path through a cavalcade of cartoonishly evil villains." Probably because I watched The Crow at a formative (and probably too young) of an age. It's a vibe, and I'm here for it.

[@forloveofthepage2361]

This explains so much. You have unlocked an understanding for me. Thank you.

[@The_Absolute_Dog]

I've been quoting the crow for over 30 years now lol

[@JefferyBlue]

Again, I will die on the hill that is "Set it Free is the best intro song in the history of KZbin."

[@edvaira6891]

Love this EVERY TIME he uses it!

[@BrandonL337]

One thing about John Wick's success that's pretty unique is, it's kind of a stand-alone film, followed by a trilogy. Change a few lines of dialog in chapter 2 from "once you're back in your back in" to. "I know you're retired, but it's time to cash in the marker" (or have him getting his car back be the inciting incident) and the second movie has nothing to do with the first, and the 3rd and 4th barely reference it beyond that.

[@gustavohernandeza.890]

"There is no way that a tiny action flick starring Keanu Reeves completely rewrote the action movie industry twice" I dare to say more than twice. FOUR TIMES: Point Break, Speed, The Matrix and John Wick

[@obscure.reference]

idk why he cited the matrix for that, the first one had a budget of more than 60 million. not any kind of tiny movie lol

[@FFmaxxx]

​@obscure.reference maybe because of the huge risk all around from directors to keanu being the lead to the cyberpunk plot?

[@obscure.reference]

@@FFmaxxx why on earth would high risk translate to a movie being tiny? that typically means they’re gambling on a high reward, which was achieved.

[@ajfoote950]

I've missed these essays... Bless ya! 😊

[@John73John]

Video title showing up in my notifications made me wonder what I did wrong... took me a second to figure it out.

[@obizhot]

Thank you Mikey! Always a pleasure getting to take in your work! Especially around a series that I share some of your feelings about. "They're getting to make a sequel? They're getting to make a sequel!" - Me, a Long time ago

[@easymentality]

"John Dies at the End"

[@axelfoley133]

"Oh dang. Oh dee dang fucknuggets." -- Actually great film criticism 2024

[@KingOfDoma]

... why is it just now that I'm realizing that John Wick is literally The Crow, But An Assassin? Stahelski was traumatized by Brandon Lee's passing on the set of the Crow (and understandably so, that was awful and his commitment to onset safety afterwards should be lauded), so here's another movie about a guy with long black hair who loses his wife to criminal violence and commits himself to revenge for all involved afterwards, except the lead actor is his old buddy Keanu who's been memed to be an immortal. As you do. :P I don't really have anything else to say about that; just an observation...

[@Fragenzeichenplatte]

So not "literally" The Crow.

[@Reginald_Harrison]

John Wick’s wife died from a terminal illness, not criminal violence.

[@KingOfDoma]

@@Fragenzeichenplatte Hey, you gonna be pedantic or are you gonna have a conversation with me? I'd prefer the latter, if that's OK 😛

[@Reginald_Harrison]

John Wick’s wife died of a terminal illness.

[@Fragenzeichenplatte]

@@KingOfDoma It's not pedantic. Words have meaning and just because you don't like me pointing it out doesn't change that.

[@Corkelfinn]

well my friday just got way better!

[@motherplayer]

Alas, with Lionsgate taking the hits of Borderlands and The Crow on their books this year, you just know someone is going to that grave and, like John, is pounding away at it with that sledgehammer in hopes of finding the respite they are desperate for.

[@DenBlackwolf]

Release the "But did you knowwww" Ringtone!!!

[@DenBlackwolf]

I need it...

[@silverXnoise]

OffLiberty, Handbrake, Audacity, Bob’s your uncle.

[@nikkitv1875]

I think I found this channel on the 1st John wick movie it's nice to come full circle all these years later plus u have my favorite intro on KZbin ❤

[@briancz1]

JW 1 = You did this to you JW 4 = I need this for me

[@chibiktsn3]

Your takes and analysis are always entertaining and greatly enjoyable!

[@shannonpotratz489]

This continues to be my favorite film analysis on the internet or anywhere else. Thank you for the work you do...

[@aaronbrrrrr]

Kudos Mikey! The MwM Wick series is peak film critique. These four videos are to KZbin video essays what Chad and Keanu are to stunt filmmaking.

[@CarefulWithThatAx]

*Osaka, not Kyoto

[@katiereed5038]

Man. My first filmjoy video was the LadyHawke one! I was just thinking about that

[@Dskinny23]

I've been waiting for the video! So excited!

[@kmiller2087]

i didnt know how much i missed your videos until i heard you speak. love your work my guy. hope all is well.

[@MrTDWfan]

John Wick is a series where each film is best viewed through a lens, something I've picked up on watching MWM - this movie being a journey where John Wick fights his way out of hell is an amazing lens to watch through, thanks for covering this one Mikey!

[@Icynova]

Still one of the best video essayists in the game.

[@MrFizzFizz]

I love Mikey so much, every video is cathartic

[@Aragorn7884]

Part of me wants a million sequels and part of me wants it to end 😬

[@euansmith3699]

Wait until we get to, "John Wick, too Furious". 😎👍

[@DonMarshall72]

So glad you made this video

[@teekhall9176]

Hearing that intro was like hearing a old friend

[@Armakk]

That was awesome, a real return to form. Consistently funny, intriguing, thought-provoking, and strangely emotional. Maybe it's that music... but probably more that you've got a wonderful narration talent. Can't wait to see your take on Nobody... ;-)

[@RandoPandaSmiles]

18:24 “one of the most” is a really weird sounding punch-in.

[@ravencorvus7903]

Can't believe how long I've been watching you watch John Wick. But I will follow you follow John Wick anywhere.

[@BNGamesYT]

Been following you since the early days Mikey, still my favorite Movie Essayist

[@soncar13]

Sorry for your loss

[@linkmagi1994]

The sudden change in recording for "Kyoto" threw me off and made me laugh so hard Hahaha.

[@PVS3]

There was a great comment on this series - "the scale breaks the premise" - In movie 1, it was feasible that all this shot happened in the shadows. By movie 4 it appears only 6% of the human population is NOT part of this murder corporation, and somehow nobody notices the HUNDREDS of bodies piling up. It starts to break the story.

[@Cassner]

Here's a well noted experiment, class was shown a video of a group of six passing two basketballs, three wearing black shirts three wearing white shirts. They were asked before the video count the number of times the people in white passed the basketball. Video ends and asked how many passes there were followed with did you see the gorilla? Do you notice the homeless guy your working with, your friend that is taking meth just to stay up to do extra work? People forget and ignore hundreds of things every day, especially in a city like New York.

[@michaelr8189]

@@Cassner Okay, but this concept only works with basketballs and not guns.

[@Dave1507]

@@michaelr8189 The point was you missed the gorilla. (which you missed in more than one way, tbh.) Tell me how guns would have made you notice the gorilla.

[@kalreynolds5829]

​@@Dave1507 I would definitely notice automatic weapons fire and people being shot to pieces on a regular basis. Nobody is that blind lol. It's called "Jumping the Shark". The initial concept was "John Wick, unstoppable assassin of legend, the boogeyman, a mass murderer, decides to live a human life before being devastated by ordinary human tragedy even he can't fight, when his wife is killed by disease. This man who has built nothing, knows nobody, and has lived only a life he can regret, is given a final chance to become human-caring for a puppy given to him by his wife, who worries about what will happen when she's gone. When a callous wannabe-gangster, the son of the leader of the Russian mafia kills his puppy and steals from him in a petty exercise of power, John goes back to his old ways to attempt to avenge the life that was taken from him." It's a story about a man defying the gods of his world, shaking the heavens, in a helpless rage at the twists and turns of fate, where his godlike ability to take life is not enough to fix mere humanity, and where he takes aim on a suicide quest that he somehow survives. It's a brilliant film. The second one, stacks on that, expanding the concept of the criminal underground as a legendary and mythological underworld. It's like a fantasy secret society in a magical realism story, except they're assassins and mafiosos. In this story, John is once more manipulated by the hands of fate. His actions to shake the heavens HAVE shaken the heavens, but they also defied the truce that let him live as a man, and put him in the position of having to keep being the Baba Yaga. In this story, John Wick does not take up arms and reluctantly go back to his old ways to avenge the theft of his humanity and spit in the eye of god. John is forced to play a part in the machinations of the very gods he tried to destroy. And finally, despite winning again, he makes a crucial mistake. He gives in and chooses to be the Baba Yaga, to be the inhuman monster-but for the most human of reasons. He kills the scion of the gods out of revenge, and once more, breaks the order of the world-instead of walking away and being the human being his wife would want, in her name he has become something she would weep to see-not only the mass killer and agent of power he was before, but now hunted. The third film goes further on this. In this film, John calls in every favour he has, and even cuts off his wedding ring finger in a pledge of fealty to the gods he has spited, and brings such chaos to those around him, that he is betrayed even by his friends, out of expedience. It's the lowest point on his falling from grace, and to me, maybe the last film in the series with any great thematic stuff going on, but some of the more grating characters and least appealing action-John has now shot people in every way possible, so now there are some awesome stunts with dogs, and some incredibly mid stuff with guys in motorcycle gear who are bulletproof. The villain in this film is not a petty scion of the gods using or abusing Wick. They are the force of order, come to settle down the mess that John has caused. The fourth is kind of a mess. It brings back the action in a great way, the performances are once more great and the underworld is at it's most extreme and exotic (although least believable-they shot up the Champs Elysee). But there's a new villain, who is the ur-example of the "spoiled and foolish scion of the gods" who is cartoonishly foiled. In this film, John basically accepts his fate, and tries to set the world to some sort of right, taking out one last piece of trash abusing his power, and restoring the world to a semblance of what it was, accepting the end of his suicide run. While I love the way the villain is played, he's a terrible finish to the series because he's just an OTT version of the first two villains and doesn't represent an escalation. It barely feels clear why killing him is important apart from that he wants to kill John-the justifications are largely "He is a huge douche and he deserves to die" which, yes, but it's hardly the wrap up to the entire series you're hoping for. The fourth film hits all the moments it has to, to be a solid send off, it doesn't ruin the series, it fixes the action, but at this point, the human part of John that he was supposedly fighting for, isn't even mentioned. The dogs have lost their symbolic value, as the chance to give life, to make something, as something apart from a killer, and they are now just a meme. John dies, but he doesn't die as a human being, reclaiming the humanity taken from him in the first film. He dies as the Boogeyman, killing another wannabe god unworthy of the title. At this point it's almost unclear what he's fighting for, he has nothing, he has built nothing, and apparently, the entire world is just the assassination conspiracy and all he does to upset that is put his allies back where they were before dying. It's good enough, but it's missing all of the heart and themes of the first, replaced by the heart created by great performances by Reddick, McShane and Fishbourne. The perfect end to John Wick is this. He either realises his vengeance is done, or is futile, and lives the life his wife wanted (not the best ending because it doesn't take into account everything else that happened), he goes so far into vengeance that he forgets what his initial grievance was and is a cautionary tale (basically Kratos), or what the fourth film sort of went with: He dies setting things as right as he can, putting an end to the feud and finally being human. It just feels like it missed the mark because he's still doing the Kratos thing. At this point, the films have flanderised themselves. Everyone is an assassin, John Wick is not a tragic figure, he is just the guy who can kill everything, and while John can barely seem to remember the things that started it all, he has yet to take agency or even responsibility, to make his own choices.

[@HJ-pm2dx]

@@Dave1507 Wow. Witnessed. Just wow

[@neoshazam]

Seen 2-4 in theaters , one of the few franchises that I will probably always go and see in cinema first run opening weekend.

[@Laribhaven]

Needed to stop everything to watch this one

[@JeremyBuxman]

I always remember watching the first one, loving every second of it, hearing there was going to be a sequel and going "...why?" Like, I love the series of neo-greccian gods in murder-tron 6000, but I never needed these sequels.

[@JollyDI]

I appreciate you work and everything you do. Thank you.

[@Kingweasle101]

Another Great Video Mikey. You are my favorite!

[@orinanime]

I love your analysis of these movies. And I certainly agree with your assessment of the 1st one. I don't remember a LOT of your assessments of 2 and 3. I need to rewatch. I also need to rewatch the actual movies. And while I agree with some of your analysis of 4, I definitely don't agree with your assessment of John's arc, what he's become/becoming, where his character is going or where the series should do with his character

[@Limubi1]

This one didn't land the same way the first three did. I thought we were going to see John fight the Table, but it didn't... feel like that's what we were watching. Winston betrayed John at the end of 3 yet he had no consequences from John for doing that, instead he goes back to directing John in a plan. Your analysis returns my focus to John as a character, as well as the symbolism, and i appreciate that. I don't think it necessarily resolves my issues, but your work is always a good watch ❤

[@JohnDoe-rl9ft]

At 9min, 35sec, talking about Hades while visually referencing Hotline Miami was very nicely done!

[@guidotron82]

I fucking love the way you talk about movies.

[@pauljohnson271]

Well done. Please never quit.

[@chloe4587]

John Wick is like if the Saint Of Killers was just a dude

[@Owesomasaurus]

Wick was the second coming of Hong Kong Blood Opera. Melodrama and heroic bloodshed. Its a formula I will never get tired of, even if John Wick himself needs to retire.

[@jamieryland2257]

I know that train in the background, wild!

[@timewarptrio11]

My condolences

[@jleisner1974]

thousands of men named John got this notification, whereupon thousands of balloon knots puckered quite involuntarily

[@---l---]

The Boy and the Heron? The crushingly beautiful story?

[@jastiksk8crw]

Thanks man

[@APerfectionLLC]

I started to wonder if y’all were going to do a video for Wick 4. I’m glad you did😊

[@RodentContainmentBreach]

They will milk John Wick like the Matrix The last movie will probably be "lol, it was le dream" and it turns out everything was just a bunch of sparks in his brain while lying beside the dog in the first movie They shouldve ended it on the third Revenge, consequence, closure

[@liamm7310]

Mikey this intro was so topical because my local theatre just temporarily shut down due to flooding

[@JohnAdamus]

As a John, I'm very happy to talk. Love this video.

[@sxstrngsamurai13]

I loved JW4 for the spectacle and upping of the stunt performance ante but it was the moment the whole "cinematic universe" feel started creeping in. Still just starting this review so maybe it is discussed, but my theory is that Chad & Keanu wanted to tell a much different story; one where he goes after the table and dismantles it piece by piece. I thought that's what we were all moving towards and I feel like that was sidelined so that the studio could have their JW universe with the continental and the ballerina.

[@Limubi1]

I hadn't considered the cinematic universe thing, but I know what you mean; I thought we were going to watch John dismantling the Table. Using the duel, which is Winston's plan (who gets no consequences for betraying John) to challenge the Marquee didn't seem like that at all, just continuing to play by the Table's rules, like JW2 and 3 again!

[@TobyWild]

I never fully understand the crazy tangents and rants that Mikey goes on on the first watch, but damn he sounds smart, and that intro music just hits!

[@kayla_eevee]

(I can only apologize for how long this ended up being. I seem to be almost deathly allergic to being concise.) So I've been putting off watching this since it first showed up in my subscription feed. I just knew it was going to be one of those subjects that would be quite painful to think about. I love the John Wick films. Every single one of them. Chapter 2 is even one of my top 5 favorite films of all time. The original and Parabellum may be better movies overall but Chapter 2 gets the top 5 spot purely because that one mirror shot breaks my brain every single time I see it. But yes, John Wick must die. It was nothing short of a miracle that the series kept up the quality it did through 4 installments but the cracks were definitely starting to show with the ludicrously bloated runtime and increasingly convoluted worldbuilding of Chapter 4. I fell in love with this series because it was refreshing and new; something where you could feel the passion and excitement of every person involved in every single frame. But that time has passed and now it's time for them to apply that same passion to something new. New projects, new stories, new _art_! Not everything new is guaranteed to work (for some recent examples, Longlegs was brilliant while Megalopolis was tragically an utterly disastrous misfire) but the only way we'll ever get something like John Wick again is if artists are allowed to take those risks and try something new. I haven't seen The Continental and I don't really have any desire to. Likewise, I have almost no interest in seeing Ballerina when it comes out next year, even though I would love some more backstory for Angelica Huston's character. I would rather have my last memories of the series be of John dying on those steps with no more worlds to conquer than continue to watch both character and actor carry on indefinitely in a futile attempt to reach the heights of their former glory. All film fans owe this franchise a debt of gratitude both for the quality of the films themselves and the impact they have had on Hollywood, especially the respect it has brought to the stunt artist profession. Hopefully, we'll see that Oscar for stunt performers become a reality very soon. But it's time to let it go. Whether as gracious respite or punishment for his sins, John Wick must die.

[@JackHarlowComboMeal]

Absolutely loved the video! You echoed SO many of the thoughts I have for a franchise and character I also love and adore, just in far better words and cadence. Fantastic stuff 😊❤️ (now I'M going to gush about the movies) To be really nitpicky though, I disagree with how you may seem to view the timeline of the movies. You used "yearslong" to describe the dog-killimg, but I personally thought John Wick 1-3 took place over the course of like, a single WEEK. There could definitely be a timeskip between 3 and 4. Though in the end, NONE of those details affect any of your talking points. As much as I'd be there Day 1 for a potential John Wick Chapter 5, I want 4 to be his end. With all the added emphasis on Helen and John meeting his end, he deserves his rest and to be with his wife again. He was broken in 1 by Iosef, exposed to Santino and the assassin society as "he came back", and things just got worse and worse for him from there because John doesn't suffer people fucking with him. People came at a god, and thus there must be retribution, even at his own detriment. As time has gone on, I've started to view the John Wick franchise as a whole and a collective saga. It makes me enjoy the whole thing even more. It's why I want things to end with 4. It tied up the whole journey pretty well, IMO. I almost want to say it's like Lord of the Rings, but with cool assassins and guns. Viewing it as an epic just makes the whole thing better.

[@armchairgravy8224]

Heck yeah, Film Joy! Always a, er, joy.

[@NLLHW]

Each successive movie in the series becomes less and less of a movie and more and more of a stunt showcase, which is fine, but the first remains the best for that reason.

[@Edge-wx7hv]

gonna be honest, I think John had some inkling of all of what was coming the minute that dude called in his marker in 2, he just, had no idea how to pull out, partly because he *was* out and then, revenge spree, marker called, back in, and he didn't want to come back. partly because, he is the Boogeyman, he solves problems by shooting them, and apparently has no real way to *not* solve problems that way.

[@cybergeek11235]

Q: Am i reading too much into the fact that in the chapter where Mikey described how far the franchise has raised the bar, the words "THE BAR" were actually *falling* on the title screen? A: Probably!

[@chadjones1266]

Thanks again

[@Inmyforces]

Mikey's baaaaaaack!

[@itiscujo]

I knew the series was on a road to become a parody of itself the moment that I heard there would be a third.

[@theroebuck123456789]

The first John Wick film was a stand alone movie, it was inconsequential. The real trilogy started with Chapter two

[@KomiChristopher]

I forgot this was even a channel, they post about once per solar eclipse. I'm glad when they do come out of hibernation though

[@titaniumteddybear]

I completely agree. JW4 is so good that there shouldn't be another sequel. It is perfect ending to the story. John gets his revenge and manages to undo some of the harm he's caused. But the cycle of violence can end now. That's why the final scene needs to be ambiguous. Will she be wiser than John was? Or will she try to kill Cain and, whether she wins or loses, the cycle of violence will kick off again.

[@nathanwente3246]

Hey you’re back!

[@neptunite5973]

i thought he went to Osaka not Kyoto? anyways, stellar video as always Mikey

[@PennyOMG]

John Wick was almost Detective Crashmore lol

[@nathanwente3246]

“I am now the Coca-Cola of revenge” is a bar

[@jonb4952]

Mikey you are some sort of movie reviewing wizard.

[@xen2297]

God I love your videos

[@hAze_the_shrimp]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO YESSSSSSSSSSS

[@stephenocalla3708]

Well never not love this show, never not love this series. Never not love the intersection of the two.

[@milesbosworthmusic]

John-Tay's Inferno?

[@timhorton8085]

Mikey talking about john wick again? I guess its *goin down for real* OH, JESUS CHRIST!

[@xyr3s]

John wick 5, he has to become the new marqui, but he doesn't want to. So the high table sends tje whole world to kill him so a new person can become the new marqui, but ofc he doesn't want to die now that he is retired and grieved and starting to move on :p

[@gooberdoober8416]

BABE IT'S HERE, WE CAN LIVE AGAIN

[@OK-1K1]

John Wick is ultimately a story of formula with diminishing results. With each film the amount of spectacle started eating away from story, characters and their motivations. It was a ride straight into “Fast and Furious” land. For me it’s a lost opportunity - you could deliver on the action while having a compelling story. But you probably couldn’t stamp out 4 films at that rate. So the choice was to rush it and deliver quantity over quality. The whole “you die a hero or live long enough to become a villain” best describes the outcome of John Wick’s journey - it’s a formula that studios will try to replicate and the movie goers will be subjected to mediocre copycats with no soul. It’s already happening.

[@EricGranata]

Man. I should really get Nebula. Kinda tired of KZbin bs. Edit: Oh damn that podcast sounds amazing!

[@gooberdoober8416]

Mikey thank you for informing me, the secret real john wick, about the nature of my issue

[@brassmonkey7566]

Yeah #4 is just video game footage.

[@afroahmed3989]

I really wanna see how they're gonna pull a 5th one .

[@---l---]

Love FilmJoy

[@chefdean7257]

I've missed you.

[@jaymorrison2419]

I want to watch this. But I realized, I still have not watched the 4th movie. So I guess... Ill be back in 3 hours...

[@bemasaberwyn55]

Mikey is a boss yet again

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

1 and 2 are the best:P

[@mrnobody1816]

JW is in a VR program, no? These movies are clearly adjacent to the Matrix. No one is this badass IRL...🤫😎

[@mechanicaldavid4827]

VIOLENT RETRIBUTION IS JOHN WICK'S LOVE LANGUAGE.

[@rmsgrey]

There's something weird with the KZbin chapters - aside from the first half of the "Part 1" chapter, and the final chapter, the chapters do not agree with what's shown on screen - for example, the chapter titled "Part 3" opens with a screen title of "Part 4"