The fans of John Wick are a lot like the frequenters of the Continental. In the grand scheme of the internet you'd be forgiven for not even noticing them. They quietly exist in the background, evident to those who know them but for the most part, they don't garner much attention. Then, when the time is right, they emerge from the shadows and burst into life.
Watching the fandom erupt around John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is really a beautiful thing. It's reminiscent of the cult following the Jason Bourne series developed over the years. As a first adaptor you have a certain pride in seeing its popularity rise from movie to movie. When it finally becomes mainstream, you're not pissed off at the fact that it isn't 'cool' anymore, you're just delighted that everyone is jumping aboard.
But here's a question: is the franchise better than Jason Bourne?
That is one of the topics discussed on The Ringer's 'With A Pencil' podcast, a six-part homage to the world of John Wick. This is a series that has everything you could ask for:
- Kickass name - check
- Excellent host - check
- SIX episodes entirely devoted to John Wick - check
- In-depth discussion about the roll of dogs in the movies - check
Chaired by the brilliant Shea Serrano, the series dedicates three podcasts to discussing each movie as whole, with another three focussing on specific aspects of the franchise. After about 15 minutes of the first show - which is of course an analysis of John Wick: Chapter 1 - I quickly sensed the need to refresh my memory by promptly rewatching the movie - a treat in itself.
If you've forgotten some aspects of the movies we'd strongly recommend you do the same, in order to fully appreciate the podcast but either way the shows are well worth a listen.
While we're here it's worth a quick note on Keanue Reeves. A gentleman by all accounts and someone we can be genuinely delighted for. The success of this series is as much about our appreciation of him as it is for the character. Please see Exhibit A below:
Keanu came to the movie theater I worked at in Sydney in 2001. He was working on the Matrix series at the time. It’s a quiet, Wednesday morning — almost nobody is seeing movies.
— James Dator (@James_Dator) May 17, 2019
He wants to buy a ticket for “From Hell,” the Johnny Depp movie. I’m so fucking star struck I do what any sensible 16-year-old does and tell him I’d like to give him my employee discount. This means he needs to sign my sheet and therefore I have his autograph
— James Dator (@James_Dator) May 17, 2019
2 minutes later there’s a knock on the door behind me that leads into the box office. I assume it’s my manager. It’s Keanu.
— James Dator (@James_Dator) May 17, 2019
I realize later that he bought an ice cream cone he didn’t want, just to get receipt paper so he could scribble his autograph for a 16-year-old idiot.
— James Dator (@James_Dator) May 17, 2019
In conclusion, 'With A Pencil' is the ideal companion to the John Wick series and if you ever see Keanu Reeves give him all your love. He deserves it.
'John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum' is in Irish cinemas now.
