Fierce and Relentless: John Wick 4's Action Surpasses All Expectations

Platoon and Natural Born Killers director, Oliver Stone, has criticized the action depicted in John Wick: Chapter 4, expressing his distaste for its excessive use of video game-like violence. A controversial figure in Hollywood, Stone, who has won multiple Academy Awards, has dedicated much of his career to exploring contentious American political issues. Having served as an infantry soldier during the Vietnam War, Stone drew from his own wartime experiences to create films like Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, and Heaven & Earth.

In a recent interview with Variety, Stone conveyed his frustration with many of the pop-culture-driven franchises in cinema, specifically pointing out John Wick 4 as an example. Describing the film as "disgusting beyond belief," the seasoned filmmaker criticized the Keanu Reeves-led action movies for being disconnected from reality. See his comments below:

I watched 'John Wick 4' during my flight, and it was undoubtedly an intense experience. However, I personally found the film to be incredibly distasteful. I'm perplexed by the general public's reception of it. Perhaps my childhood memories of watching 'G.I. Joe' have influenced my perspective. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but notice that the protagonist, played by Keanu Reeves, effortlessly eliminates hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals throughout the movie. As a combat veteran, I must admit that none of these encounters felt remotely realistic. While I understand that it is a work of fiction, 'John Wick 4' seems to have transformed into more of a video game rather than a cinematic experience.

The film appears to have disconnected from reality, perhaps appealing to an audience that enjoys such video game-like elements. However, personally, I find it monotonous and uninteresting. How many car crashes can one witness? How many extravagant stunts can be performed? At the end of the day, what distinguishes 'Fast and Furious' from any other film? It seems to be an endless barrage of action sequences, whether it features a superhuman Marvel character or a mere mortal like John Wick. Unfortunately, this lack of believability diminishes my enjoyment of the movie.

Are Oliver Stone’s John Wick Criticisms Unfair Or Hard-Hitting Truths?

Stone’s criticism of the current studio-driven landscape and its obsession with big-budget franchises is shared by other notable directors such as Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. This indicates a growing divide between Hollywood's veteran filmmakers and the prevailing trend in the industry.

The discontent expressed by Stone cannot simply be attributed to generational differences, as there is a noticeable trend among studios to transform every film into a franchise. This is evident in the case of John Wick: Chapter 4, which seemingly concludes the story of its main character. However, Lionsgate wasted no time in announcing the development of John Wick 5, along with various spinoff projects. While it remains uncertain whether Keanu Reeves will appear in the new sequel, the mere possibility lends credibility to Stone's claim that these films lack believability.

However, Stone's criticism of John Wick: Chapter 4's "disgusting" use of violence is somewhat hypocritical, considering his own history of creating controversial and violent films like Natural Born Killers, which glorified acts of graphic violence. While his comments may not directly influence the future of the John Wick franchise, they do bring up important points that deserve further consideration and discussion.