Writing a review of "John Wick: Chapter 4" may sound like a foolhardy mission. That's because such films are rarely the subject of reviews. But when you enjoy a movie as much as I enjoyed this chapter, it is not an impossible task that conjures up images of John Wick defeating Tarasov's enemies. It is a labor of love.

But, as I said up front, "John Wick 4" has the problem of excess. Not necessarily a problem with the plot, but with the running time. The film should not be 2 hours and 49 minutes long; we have come a long way from the first "John Wick," which was efficient at 96 minutes.

That said, "John Wick: Chapter 4" could have benefited from a shorter running time, but it is still as good as any other chapter in the series. Here's why. I'm going to put a brief spoiler warning up front, but I'll keep it to a minimum and not say anything you might not have wanted to know before seeing it.

Oh, and if you're interested, "John Wick: Chapter Four" will be airing on Peacock in early summer. You need to catch up. The other John Wick movies are online right now.

Mr. Wick (Keanu Reeves) has a lot to do in this movie, but he stands out in this chapter by expanding the field to a new potential hero. Unfortunately for John, two of them are trying to kill him. [It's the unnamed tracker (Shamier Anderson) and Kane (Donnie Yen), both of whom have reasons to kill John. And while Kane and Wick have a common past and respect for each other, the tracker (aka Mr. Nobody) is someone new.

Kane and Mr. Nobody are surprisingly cool and deserve their own spin-off movie. Also of note is the character Akira, played by actor, singer, and model Rina Sawayama.

The Marquis has none of the enigmatic coolness of Wick or Winston, but his scene-stealing swagger (complete with a killer opulent wardrobe) blatantly asserts that he is a villain. But everyone else left me wanting 'more. This is a sure sign that Stahelski and Reeves are ready to tell a new story.

Unfortunately, the late Lance Reddick is rarely seen in the film.

The video game-like scene in Paris, which looks like something out of "John Wick: Hex" or "Hotline" but also like something out of "Miami: John Wick: Hex" or "Hotline: Miami" was one of the most memorable action scenes in the film, but it is thanks to its excellent change of scenery that the fourth "Wick" film is partially dominant. From the Western-style chaos of the early scenes to the Continental Hotel in Osaka and the grand set of the Arc de Triomphe, "John Wick: Chapter 4" continues to provide the escapism one seeks in a multiplex.

Also, throughout, comedic notes constantly keep the audience guessing as to what is going on. In particular, the staircase scene, and the way Mr. Nobody tells his dog, had me laughing out loud.

And throughout, you may find yourself oohing and ahhing, especially at the moving sunrise shot at the end of the film. John Wick's fourth adventure is as pleasing to the eye as it is gross. Cinematographer Dan Laustsen, who also plays the same role in John Wick Chapters 2 and 3, does much to enhance the aesthetic of this action film. He is partly responsible for making the John Wick films feel like action movies for movie geeks with letterbox accounts.

As much as I loved turning the pages of Chapter 4, I found myself looking at the clock halfway through the third hour. As soon as I saw the running time, I kept thinking, "What is this, 'John Wick: Endgame'?" Stahelski likes maximalism, but there's a little too much happening, and it's bloated.

The biggest problem I have is that there are several different games at the Osaka Continental. The green-lit brawl was neat, but the rooftop shootout, the kitchen scene, and the chaos at the museum were far better. They could have trimmed each of these down to parts and it would have been better. Just don't lose the nunchucks.

There is also a Berlin subplot, which contributes little to the plot. Wick's adopted daughter Katia (Natalia Tena) is a welcome addition, but her lack of appearances feels more like padding than an addition to the skeleton. John Wick's films always feel stuffy and full of killers, but I wonder what a two-hour cut would have looked like.

There are two constant elements in a John Wick film: action and momentum. Action and momentum. These two are brought about and perfected primarily by Reeves' flawless performance as Baba Yaga. But in chapter four, John Wick also takes time to remember where it all began: his undying love for his late wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan) and his appreciation for his dog.

The more unrealistic a John Wick film is--the clinking of bullets falling from the protagonist's jacket as he undresses is a delightful reminder of its bombast--Reeves' ability to express emotion and care truly helps the John Wick film move away from the farce.

I left the theater excited about the future of John Wick's cinematic universe and ready to see what's next for everyone involved.