I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that the action was the key ingredient in the success of the first John Wick film. Between its sheer volume, its impressive choreography, and the signature gun-fu element, it was just refreshing. Unfortunately, three films later and what was once refreshing has now started to feel awfully familiar. Yes, they try to find some unique angles and creative set pieces, but none of it is enough to avoid the fact that the 1,000th close range headshot on the recently thrown henchman isn't quite as fun as the first. Not to mention, for every new action idea that I enjoyed (top down sequence with fire breath shotgun, sequence in the Arc de Triumph roundabout), there were two more that didn't land (blind Donnie Yen...sorry, just too suspension of disbelief shattering, final stair sequence). All of this isn't to say that the action isn't fun. It still is. But it's no longer enough to carry the film for me.
Which brings us to the second thing people enjoyed in the first John Wick: the world building. In this respect, the franchise pretty much lost me in the third movie (maybe even a bit in the second). It all just feels too goofy and melodramatic for me. There are still small pieces that I enjoyed (the sequence where they use cards to decide the specifics of the duel), but the overall vibe just feels too saturday-morning-cartoon in terms of depth.
All in all, John Wick Chapter 4 should scratch the action itch for fans of the genre, but it no longer sets itself apart and the non-action elements aren't nearly good enough to pick up the slack.
