This is a remarkable achievement for a movie that was initially seen as an underdog.
It still had to change to sustain itself as a viable long-running franchise.
The originalJohn Wickwas never intended to start a franchise.
The brilliant cliffhanger ending ofJohn Wick: Chapter 2sets up the future of the storyin two ways.
Firstly, it leads directly into the next movie, with John on the run without any help.
Newer characters like Killa, Cassian and the Marquis have more individuality.
None of the characters from the first movie would be great candidates for their own spinoffs.
However, the change has been noticeable.
Even the assassins who come after John, like Ares, have something to distinguish them from the crowd.
Ana de Armas is set to star in theJohn WickspinoffBallerina, which shows how far the franchise has come.
John Wickhas constructed a complex and compelling criminal world.
Other action franchise go too big too soon and jump the shark, butJohn Wickhas gradually ramped things up.
Other action franchise go too big too soon and jump the shark, butJohn Wickhas gradually ramped things up.
The other financial trend worth mentioning is that each movie has made much more money than the last.
What differentiatesJohn Wickfrom so many other action franchises is that it has used its resources superbly.
John Wick: Chapter 4is over an hour longer thanJohn Wick.
The firstJohn Wickmovie now seems tame by comparison to the sheer number of kills inChapter 4.
As the franchise has progressed,John Wickhas started constructing some more playful action scenes.
Take, for example, the top-down shootout sequence that plays out like a video game.
This is obviously a result of the increased budget, which opens up more possibilities.
The action is all thoughtfully executed.
These scenes require a lot of careful choreography, dozens of stunt performers and some delicate direction.
John Wickalways handles its character development tactfully, leaving a few more mysteries which are yet to be solved.
Without resorting to heavy exposition dumps,John Wickshows who the hitman is based on his associations.
The series explores themes of loyalty, honor, and survival in a secret society of assassins.
