Ever since Lionsgate greenlit this sequence in early 2017, followers of the franchise have been eagerly anticipating to see how the John Wick universe expands. four films in, the John Wick franchise is extensively often called one of many best motion film franchises of all time with our titular character (a.okay.a Baba Yaga) turning into one of the iconic and bad-ass figures ever in Hollywood. The Continental: From The World of John Wick is a prequel sequence that tells the story of Winston Scott and the way he turned the supervisor of New York’s The Continental department.

The miniseries was developed by Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward and Shawn Simmons. It’s govt produced by Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, Derek Kolstad, David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, the director of all 4 John Wick films. It’s structured as a 3-night occasion instructed by means of three 90-minute episodes. The sequence was initially purported to air on Starz, however the community bought it to Peacock in 2022. After 6 years in growth, it lastly aired on Peacock this September.

Rather a lot has been manufactured from the subtitle of the undertaking ever because it was introduced. The truth that the makers wanted to incorporate it says so much concerning the present. It virtually felt just like the prime advertising and marketing asset for it many occasions as the opposite promotional materials didn’t essentially create plenty of hype for the present. Albert Hughes directed the primary and third episodes, whereas Charlotte Branstrom directed the second, and disappointingly each administrators don’t carry the identical novelty or inventive prowess that Chad Stahelski managed to herald the John Wick films.

The Continental [credit: Peacock]

The present additionally surprisingly lacks any actual star energy. This franchise is considered one of Lionsgate’s most prized property, so you’ll think about that they might make sure that to get an enormous forged and crew for this prequel miniseries, however they didn’t. Colin Woodell as Winston Scott is the clear standout among the many forged regardless of delivering solely a good efficiency, which says so much concerning the performing requirements on this 3-episode miniseries. Many have criticized the casting of Mel Gibson within the sequence, however I personally had no difficulty together with his efficiency and he’s additionally essentially the most recognizable member of the forged regardless of having no actual viewers pull anymore.

The writing doesn’t provide an excessive amount of to ponder upon or any severely stunning turns within the story as a lot of the focus is on making the product as epic, badass and action-packed as attainable. A number of the characters had some fascinating layers to them, particularly Charon (Ayomide Adegun) and Lou (Jessica Allain). Lemmy (Adam Shapiro) gives some much-needed comedian aid together with his witty dialogues. The structuring of the story works rather well as a 3-night occasion which units the excessive stakes and units a regular of depth for the narrative.

The Continental [credit: Peacock]

However the factor that folks have been most trying ahead to, was the motion and the way it fared towards John Wick. Sadly, that division was inconsistent as properly. Ben Robson’s battle sequence within the early a part of the primary episode was nice and it makes you optimistic that the motion would get higher from right here on, but it surely by no means does. Many of the motion blocks right here contain explosions and weapons slightly than the hand-to-hand fight John Wick franchise is understood for. A number of the motion was superior and a few of it sadly wasn’t.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick brings plenty of glamour because it tries to develop its world however fails to interact with its paper-thin plot. The characters are largely boring with a formulaic villain and misses the presence of a magnetic protagonist like Wick. A prequel about Wick’s backstory would’ve been rather more fascinating than this inconsistent prequel occasion saved by its type and a few nice motion. It has virtually sufficient to be its personal factor however doesn’t fairly have sufficient to match its mother or father films.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick premieres on Peacock within the US and Prime Video within the UK and Australia on 22 September, with new episodes weekly.