The Continental

Being a John Wick fan I've been looking forward to The Continental ever since I first heard about it. Then after seeing the trailers my excitement grew even more. After watching the first few episodes I can absolutely say that The Continental has not only met my expectations but has exceeded them in every way. It's as fast paced and entertaining as the John Wick movies. Even though you'd probably enjoy this more if you've seen the John Wick movies, you don't have to have seen them to like this. The action scenes are as good as anything I've seen on tv. I can't stop watching this and know it's a limited series but I really hope they plan on doing several seasons of this because I'm hooked.

I'm blown away by how much I enjoyed The Continental. Like most watching this I'm a John Wick fan so I was going to watch this regardless but after the word of mouth on how good it is I couldn't wait. The Continental tells the story of how a young Winston and young Charon came to take over the Continental Hotel. It takes place in the 70's before they were ever even partners. There's also so much more than just these two, there are so many other interesting characters in this to hold your attention. This is show where you can just turn your brain off and get lost in this world. I recommend giving yourself a big block of time before watching this because you're going to want to binge this as quickly as you can. You won't be able to watch just one episode and stop.

Given the success of the "John Wick" saga, it was obvious we'd get sequels and spin-offs.

Within this section, we find a series that has nothing to do with John Wick but does relate to fundamental foundations of the franchise: "The Continental." The premise is quite interesting, seeing the rise and rise of Winston Scott from a nobody to a fundamental pillar of this story.

So much potential...wasted. It's hard to understand why they went the way they did. They could have connected better with the franchise and shown us much more than what we saw.

It was more of a revenge story against Cormac O'Connor (masterfully played by Mel Gibson) than anything from this universe. Opportunities to expand the lore were missed, and what we got was a gang fight with average choreography, something those of us who saw the previous four films aren't used to.

Even at the end, the pregnancy of Yen, the wife of Winston's deceased brother (another wasted character) could have been used as an excuse to show John's origins and tie everything together perfectly.

However, for some reason, it wasn't.

Is everything bad in this series? Of course not, but when you see its potential, you can't help but regret the lack of effort to make a better product.

We're stuck halfway between what could have been and what should have been.

Definitely the weakest part of the franchise.

Credit where credit is due, they nailed the JW atmosphere. Lighting, sound, fast gun-fu with the camera staying on the action. Good music, with a range of types which helps with the time setting. The opening action scene is a banger. Mel is under used, which is a shame. Winston doesn't feel like Winston, actor is too tall, but I get it, the leading man needs to be tall. The story is passable and builds nicely into the JW world mythos. Don't understand the need for sex scenes. Movies did fine without them. The detective story feels pointless. Just padding run time. The middle dragged because of these filler scenes, the episode would've been better paced without them. If you like JW for its world and action, you'll enjoy it. If not, it might be difficult to get into.

"The Continental: From the World of John Wick" offers a tantalizing peek into the intricate world of the John Wick universe, setting its narrative in the gritty, vibrant 1970s. The series focuses on the early days of Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) and the iconic Continental Hotel, a neutral ground for the criminal underworld. Despite its ambition and intriguing premise, the series struggles to fully capture the magic of its cinematic predecessors.

The show excels in its detailed world-building, recreating the 70s New York aesthetic with impressive production design. The Continental Hotel, a familiar yet mysterious setting from the movies, is brought to life with a gritty charm, highlighting the darker corners of the assassin's world. The action sequences, a hallmark of the John Wick franchise, are choreographed with precision, featuring intense hand-to-hand combat and martial arts that are both thrilling and brutal.

However, the series falls short in several areas. The narrative, while rich with potential, often relies on familiar tropes and lacks the sharp pacing of the John Wick films. Some plot developments feel contrived, and the show occasionally leans too heavily on clichés. The character development, especially of supporting roles, is uneven, with some characters not given enough depth to make their arcs compelling.

The casting of Mel Gibson as Cormac, the Continental's ruthless manager, brings a significant star power but also polarizes the audience due to his controversial off-screen persona. Meanwhile, Katie McGrath's portrayal of The Adjudicator adds an intriguing layer to the power dynamics within the series, although her character's impact is diluted by lackluster dialogue.

One of the series' highlights is its soundtrack, which is filled with well-curated 70s rock tracks that complement the visual style. However, at times, the music overshadows the scenes rather than enhancing them, making the series feel more ordinary than extraordinary.

In conclusion, "The Continental: From the World of John Wick" is a mixed bag. It successfully expands the John Wick universe with its stylish portrayal of the 1970s underworld and delivers on action. Yet, it struggles with pacing and character development, falling short of the franchise's high standards. For fans of the John Wick series, it's a worthwhile watch, but with tempered expectations.

7/10.