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John Wick Chapters 1-3: Stash Box Collection- Steelbook Box Set 4K UHD Review

Just in time for “John Wick: Chapter 4.”

The plot of 2014’s “John Wick” is simple. The titular character is a retired hitman who has just lost his wife. She left behind a puppy for him to comfort him, but he ends up losing the dog and his Mustang car to a group of Russian gangsters led by losef (the son of a crime boss named Viggo). This sets off John Wick who seeks revenge and kills many, many people.

This may be a controversial statement, but the original “John Wick” is my least favorite of the franchise. While it is nice to see a throwback to the action movies of yesteryear (and one that features an appreciated storyline involving justice for a dog), we’ve seen this sort of “one man army/endless bullet” movie before. On the plus side, the film did kickstart an exciting new phase of Keanu Reeves career AND a franchise that would improve with each installment. That leads me to…

In the first sequel, John returns to his former life of crime by reluctantly accepting a mission to assassinate the sister of a crime boss (Santino) which leads to a messy situation in which John breaks some rules and becomes a marked man. 

“John Wick: Chapter 2” is an underrated installment in the series that opened the world up more. Not only do we learn more about The Continental, the world John Wick inhabits, and the underground (where The Bowery King resides), but there’s more depth here story wise. 

“John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum” picks up where the second film leaves on and finds John Wick exiled and evading assassins. Elsewhere in the story are key plotlines involving The High Table hierarchy, John Wick trying to remove his excommunicado status, The Adjudicator attempting to remove people from positions, and power moves against The High Table.

For my money, the third installment is the best in the series by a longshot. Instead of merely trying to be some throwback action movie, the third chapter finds the franchise coming into its own, diving into its mythology, and fully embracing the absurd and often cartoony elements of this world where assassins seem to be at every corner. On top of that, you get some of the best action you will ever see here particularly with the insane knife and blade fight, the crowd pleasing set piece with dogs and Halle Berry’s Sofia, and the climactic glass house battle with Mark Decascos as Zero. And you get more of Laurence Fishburne hamming it up as the scene stealing The Bowery King. For action movie fans, it simply doesn’t get much better than this.

Note: This box set is a Best Buy exclusive that will be released Feb. 28 2023.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.40:1 2160p for the first 2 and 2.39:1 2160p with Dolby Vision for Chapter 3. How do they look? All 3 transfers are crystal clear with the third chapter looking the best.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How do they sound? All 3 films get superb Atmos tracks that offer up thundering action sequences. What more could you want?

Extras:
* Replica stash book
* Digital copies for all 3 films.
* 2 photo cards
* Blu-ray copies of all 3 films. 

“John Wick” Extras:
* Commentary on the first film by directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski.
* Theatrical trailer for the first film.
* “Don’t F*#% With John Wick”- A look at the fight choreography and training.
* “Calling In The Cavalry” covers the 2nd unit action work.
* “A Destiny Of Collective” is about the 2 directors.
* “Assassin’s Code”- An extra about the world of John Wick.
* “Red Circle” revolves around the nightclub action sequence.
* “NYC Noir”- A featurette about the look and style of the film.

“John Wick: Chapter 2” Extras:
* Commentary by Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski.
* 3 deleted scenes
* “Retro Wick: Exploring The Unexpected Success Of John Wick”- The title says it all.
* “WICK-vizzed”- Pre-viz mixed with rehearsal footage.
* “Training John Wick” covers the fight choreography.
* “Friends, Confidantes: The Keanu/Chad Partnership” explores the dynamic between the actor and director.
* “As Above, So Below: The Underworld Of John Wick”- A look at the assassin world.
* “Car Fu Ride-Along”- A featurette on the cars.
* “Chamber Check: Evolution Of A Fight Scene”- Another extra about fight choreography essentially.
* “Wick’s Toolbox”- A look at John Wick’s numerous weapons of choice.
* Theatrical trailer.
* “A Museum Tour With Sir Jonathan Wick”- A Rome art gallery tour.
* “Kill Count”- A look at the film’s death toll.
* “Dog Wick Short”- A mock trailer.

“John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum” Extras:
* 2 theatrical trailers.
* “John Wick Hex” game trailer and a behind the scenes featurette for the game as well.
* “Parabellum: Legacy Of The High Table”- Cast and crew interviews along with story discussions.
* “Excommunicado” is about John Wick’s exile.
* “Check Your Sights” covers action sequences.
* “Saddle Up Wick”- A featurette on the horseback scene.
* “Bikes, Blades, Bridges And Bits” revolves around various set pieces.
* “Continental In The Desert” is about the Moroccan locations.
* “Dog Fu” is all about the dog action sequences.
* “House Of Transparency”- Production design featurette.
* “Shot By Shot”- Editing featurette.

February 25, 2023 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | John Wick, John Wick Chapters 1-3: Stash Box Collection- Steelbook Box Set 4K UHD Review, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum, John Wick: Chapter 4, Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne