Since a previous life-or-death commitment to Santino leaves Wick with no choice but to accept this mission, he takes to it in the manner of James Bond being equipped by Q. He'll have to face off against Gianna's loyal bodyguard, Cassian (Common). And Santino has a large squad of goons who don't wish to see Wick get away alive.

It's not a movie that requires concentrated attention. What's needed instead is a tolerance for -- and enjoyment of -- elaborately choreographed stunts and chase sequences.

The film contains pervasive action violence with little blood, a suicide and brief full female nudity. The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catholic News Service.

CAPSULE REVIEW

"John Wick: Chapter 2" (Summit)

Stylized, nearly cartoonish nihilism and the high body count that results from it create most of the apparent appeal of this second drama about the professional assassin of the title, played by Keanu Reeves. The rest, as directed by Chad Stahelski from Derek Kolstad's script, consists of small moments -- quite small, since there's nearly no dialogue -- of mordant and questionable humor. The core story has Wick violently pulled out of retirement and unwillingly drawn into a plot to seize a seat at the High Table, a criminal enterprise. An Italian playboy (Riccardo Scamarcio) wants the seat held by his fur-adorned sister (Claudia Gerini). To get it, he orders Wick to treat Sis with extreme prejudice. Pervasive action violence with little blood, a suicide, brief full female nudity. The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

CLASSIFICATION

"John Wick: Chapter 2" (Summit) -- Catholic News Service classification, L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. Motion Picture Association of America rating, R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.