John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

Two hitmen trade shots across a crowded subway station with silenced pistols and not one commuter looks up. That’s the movie in one scene: dead serious and totally ridiculous at the same time. Chapter 2 builds out the world, with markers, blood oaths and a Rome hotel where a guy pairs your guns like he’s recommending a wine, and somehow all that paperwork makes the fights hit harder. Common is a great rival. Ruby Rose’s Ares talks in sign language and still has the best attitude in the movie. Trouble starts in the middle. Rome turns into a long catacomb shootout that starts to feel like watching somebody else play a video game. Then the hall of mirrors finale shows up and saves it. Made $174.3 million worldwide, about double the first one. An 8.2 because it’s bigger, weirder and better than the original. $23.39 says the next waiter who describes the specials sounds exactly like the gun sommelier in your head.

What works: The subway duel with Common, the gun sommelier, and the hall of mirrors fight that closes it out.

What doesn’t: The Rome catacomb shootout runs long and starts to feel like watching somebody else play a video game.

Who it’s for: Fans of the first one who wanted more rules, more hotels and a lot more Keanu tumbling down stairs.