The JOHN WICK Series and the Forced Voyeurism of a Video Game Walkthrough

In the words of one Dave Grohl, I’ve got another confession to make. I am not a fan of the John Wick series. Despite my best efforts and cleanest of intentions, I could never extract enough enjoyment from watching any of its instalments to join in on what seemed to look like unanimous acclaim. Every time I find myself at odds with the mainstream consensus, I always scratch my head and wonder why that is. I don’t necessarily wish I was a part of the ‘in’ crowd, but I am still curious where this dissonance is coming from.  And after much deliberation I surmised that John Wick movies are not movies. They are video games. Or at least they are built like them.  

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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

I’ve read the praise. I have heard the chants. In fact, it has been almost impossible to miss the glowing acclaim laid at the feet of the newest addition to the John Wick series, subtitled succinctly as just Chapter 4 in a departure from what seemed like a trend of adding a subtitle to the subtitle its predecessor, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum brandished with glee. Therefore, as someone whose relationship with this series has been consistently underpinned by non-plussed ambivalence occasionally dipping into frustrated disbelief at how well it continues to be received, I decided to give this movie a chance.  

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The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

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Wow, déjà vu. 

Have you ever wondered why certain songs by certain bands do not lend themselves well to being performed by other bands as covers? Granted, many songs – in fact, probably most of them – do lend themselves to such treatment. You will always hear perennial classics of pop music recreated by young musicians, rearranged and reharmonized by pros, or translated into other genres, which is all great. I do enjoy the novelty of hearing George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” reimagined by post-grungers of Seether just as much as I always had a soft spot for Metallica’s version of “Whiskey in the Jar” or Marilyn Manson’s rendition of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”.  

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