John Wick Chapter 4 (2023) directed by Chad Stahelski is a very stylized action movie that is known for its deep fight choreography and similarly unique visuals. Action-packed chapter of John Wick (Keanu Reeves) further adventures into the underworld following his mission for vengeance. This piece will analyze a particular aspect of one of the most visually appealing scenes in the film top-down incendiary rounds scene in a Parisian house.
In a scene about the top-down incendiary rounds from incendiary rounds apparatus, several visual elements improve the storytelling.
John Wick is the star, flipping rooms around, using enemies as obstacles to plink. The antagonists in dark tactical gear is in sharp contrast to Wick and their movements ( Thompson, 2019, p. 50).
A combination of dim atmospheric lighting and the room-by-room incendiary rounds glow that puts out rooms in a burst of orange fire as it illuminates everything in sight ( Brown, 2015, p. 82).
Being in the small, confined space of a Parisian home only ramps up the suspense and desperation of the sequence ( Bordwell, 2006, p. 47).
The incendiary shotgun shells work as a practical effect when they blow up enemies on impact, along with turning the walls into interesting dynamic shadow scape ( Brown, 2015, p. 85).
Color: Primary color palette is dark and moody with fiery explosions to add some bright colors, both supporting neo-noir presentation in the film ( Thompson, 2019, p. 52).
The sequence blends a bird’s eye (top-down) to that of live-action video game. An approach so different gives us a good look at Wick and how he moves in tactical engagements ( Thompson, 2019, p. 55).
The scene utilizes fast sweeping cuts. Cuts occur more or less every two seconds, keeping the film in cut-and-shut continuity but also forward-pushing ( Bordwell, 2006, p. 49)
Unlike the customary wobbly cam approach action movie scene can trace Wick’s motion with a smooth lightly-gliding camera. The intention of this is to improve spatial awareness and help the audience view the choreography ( Brown, 2015, p. 88).
Through carefully placed match-on-action editing and the judicious use of transitions the scene keeps you in fight with no distraction at the hands of filmmaking techniques ( Thompson, 2019, p. 57).
Bordwell (2006, p. 46) writing about the “supercharged continuity” in contemporary action films where fast cutting and slick camerawork create energy, within a clear-to-follow narrative Thompson (2019, p. 51) researches spatial geography in action scenes asserting clarity of staging and blocking which are both categorically perfect in this scene.
Brown (2015, p. 86) illustrates the importance of lighting and color in action cinematography, showing lighting choices lights the fire as above (round incendiary round explosions) for increased combat heat.
The movie made somewhere around $432 million, which is actually the
best-grossing part of the franchise ( Bordwell, 2006, p. 53).
Comparing to Previous Films, John Wick Chapter 3. Parabellum came in at $327 million proving a climbing audience for the franchise series ( Thompson, 2019, p. 60).
The admiration for the film is indicative of an audience hunger for grounded physical staging and stylized action as opposed to anything derived from other franchises such as Mission: Impossible and Mad Max ( Brown, 2015, p. 90)
Violent action film effect that has been analyzed to some degree among scholars is a topic of controversy.
screenings of violence in the films may cause a lack of emotional response to real world violence (Anderson & Bushman, 200, p. 355) has been supported by research indicating that increased exposure reduces empathy. research has sometimes associated viewing violence on screen with a subsequent increase in aggressive thoughts or behaviors, particularly among the very young.
This is counterbalanced by other “experts” who note action movies offer a healthy outlet for aggression, where adrenaline gets you all hyped up ( Anderson & Bushman, 2001, p. 358).
Tactics shown in movies like John Wick have been influenced by real world military and law enforcement training techniques (Patrick 2020, p. 72)
Conclusion
John Wick Chapter 4 pushes up the right buttons to use Mise en scène, Shoots and cut masterfully in the top-down incendiary round scene. The sequence has its own visual and technical decisions, that separate it from the rest of normal action films.
References
Anderson, C.A. & Bushman, B.J. (2001) ‘Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal, and Prosocial Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Scientific Literature’, Psychological Science, 12(5), pp. 353-359.
Bordwell, D. (2006) The Way Hollywood Tells It: Story and Style in Modern Movies. University of California Press.
Brown, B. (2015) Cinematography: Theory and Practice. Focal Press. Patrick, J. (2020) Tactical Training for Cinematic Combat. Tactical Press.
Thompson, K. (2019) ‘Action aesthetics: Editing and spatial clarity in modern cinema’, Journal of Film Studies, 12(2), pp. 45-63.
Provide Feedback