Despite Low Rotten Tomatoes Score, Is John Wick 4 The Franchise's Best Film?

6 min read Post on May 07, 2025

Despite Low Rotten Tomatoes Score, Is John Wick 4 The Franchise's Best Film?

The Unprecedented Action and Stunts of John Wick 4

John Wick: Chapter 4 surpasses its predecessors in sheer scale and ambition, delivering a level of action rarely seen in modern cinema.

Scale and Scope

The film's action sequences are significantly larger and more elaborate than those in previous installments. The increased number of fight scenes, each meticulously choreographed, elevates the action to a new level.

Increased number of fight scenes: The film features a near-constant barrage of intense action, leaving little room for respite.
Extended fight choreography: Many fight sequences are extended and complex, showcasing the skill of both Keanu Reeves and his stunt team.
Global locations: The action unfolds across multiple international locations, adding to the film's scope and visual spectacle.
Innovative camera work: The cinematography is dynamic and innovative, keeping the audience fully immersed in the action.
Higher stakes: The consequences of failure are dramatically amplified, adding weight and tension to every fight.

Innovative Fight Choreography

John Wick 4's fight choreography is a masterclass in creativity and precision. It builds upon the gun-fu foundations of the franchise but pushes boundaries with fresh techniques and innovative weapon combinations.

Gun-fu mastery: Keanu Reeves' mastery of gun-fu is showcased in exhilarating displays of skill and precision.
Unique weapon combinations: The film introduces new and unexpected weapons into the mix, adding an element of surprise and visual interest.
Extended one-take sequences: Several scenes feature impressively long, unbroken takes, emphasizing the skill and precision of the choreography.
Realistic fight choreography: The fight scenes feel brutal and realistic, adding to their impact and intensity.

Character Development and Performances

Beyond the action, John Wick 4 provides deeper character development and strong performances. The film explores John Wick's emotional depth more thoroughly than previous installments, while supporting characters also receive richer backstories.

Emotional depth: The film delves into John Wick's motivations and past, providing a more nuanced portrayal of the character.
Exploration of themes: The film explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of violence.
Supporting cast performances: The supporting cast delivers strong performances, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
Relationship dynamics: The film explores existing relationships and introduces new ones, adding layers to the story.

The Narrative and Plot of John Wick 4

While the action is undeniably a key component, John Wick 4 also boasts a compelling narrative that expands the franchise's lore and mythology.

Expanding the John Wick Universe

The film significantly expands the John Wick universe, introducing new characters, factions, and details about the overarching world. This intricate expansion creates a richer and more immersive experience for longtime fans.

Introduction of new characters and factions: The film introduces several key new characters and expands on existing factions, adding to the overall complexity of the world.
Expansion of existing lore: The film provides further details about the history of the Continental Hotel and the High Table, deepening the overall mythos.
Increased complexity of the narrative: The narrative is significantly more complex than in previous films, with multiple interwoven storylines.
Global implications: The events of the film have global implications, showcasing the wide-reaching influence of the criminal underworld.

Pacing and Storytelling

The film's pacing is a point of contention for some. While the action sequences are expertly choreographed, the overall length and pacing of the narrative might feel slow to some viewers.

Length of the film: The film's runtime is significantly longer than previous installments, which could impact the pacing for some viewers.
Pacing of action sequences: The pacing of the action sequences is generally excellent, but the moments between them might drag for certain audiences.
Plot twists and reveals: The film features a number of unexpected twists and reveals that keep the audience engaged.
Emotional resonance: Despite the over-the-top action, the film manages to evoke emotional resonance in several key moments.

Comparison to Previous Films

John Wick 4 builds upon the foundation established by its predecessors, enhancing aspects like the world-building and emotional depth, while still retaining the core elements that make the franchise so popular. However, some may argue the extended runtime and slower pacing deviate slightly from the formula.

Narrative structure: The narrative is more complex and sprawling than previous entries.
Character arcs: Character development is arguably deeper and more nuanced in this installment.
Thematic depth: The film explores more complex themes than previous entries.
Overall coherence: While complex, the narrative remains mostly coherent and satisfying.

Rotten Tomatoes Score vs. Audience Reception

The disparity between the Rotten Tomatoes score and audience reception highlights a potential disconnect between critics and viewers. While Rotten Tomatoes might reflect certain aspects negatively, audience scores and box office success paint a different picture.

The Disparity Between Critics and Audiences

The difference between the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes and audience reactions is significant. This highlights the subjective nature of film criticism and the varying priorities of different viewers.

Critic biases: Critics might have different expectations or biases regarding action films, leading to contrasting perspectives.
Differing perspectives on action cinema: Some critics may prioritize complex narratives over action sequences, while audiences might favor the opposite.
Impact of marketing and hype: Pre-release marketing and hype might have influenced audience expectations and enjoyment.
Audience engagement: Audiences were clearly engaged with the film, as evidenced by its box office success.

Analyzing Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

Common criticisms on Rotten Tomatoes often centered on the film's runtime and pacing, with some critics arguing that the narrative suffered as a result of the relentless action. However, many of these criticisms overlook the technical skill and artistic achievement displayed in the film's action sequences.

Recurring criticisms: Common complaints revolved around the length and pacing of the film.
Validity of critique: While valid points exist, the criticisms sometimes overshadowed the film's overall artistic merit.
Contextualizing the critiques: The criticisms should be viewed within the context of the film's intentions – to deliver an unparalleled action spectacle while still advancing the narrative.

Conclusion

John Wick: Chapter 4 delivers unparalleled action sequences and expands the franchise's universe in significant ways. While its Rotten Tomatoes score might be lower than expected, audience reception and critical analyses of the film's action and storytelling suggest that it could be the best entry in the franchise for many viewers. Ultimately, whether or not John Wick 4 is the "best" is subjective, but its undeniable impact on action cinema and the franchise itself should not be overlooked. Is John Wick 4 your best John Wick film? Let us know in the comments!