John Wick Franchise: Why Chapter 3 Has The Lowest Rotten Tomatoes Score

Felix Dubois

6 min read

Post on May 12, 2025

5.0

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Increased Scale and Scope Diluted the Intimacy

The expansion of the John Wick universe, a key element driving the franchise's success, may have inadvertently contributed to Parabellum's lower Rotten Tomatoes score. The increased scale and scope, while exciting for many, arguably diluted the intimate and character-focused narrative that defined the first two films.

Loss of Focused Narrative

The attempt to broaden the John Wick universe introduced several challenges impacting the narrative's clarity and pacing.

• More Characters Introduced, Lessening Focus on John Wick: The introduction of numerous new characters, while enriching the world, arguably detracted from the focus on John Wick's personal journey and emotional core. The central conflict became somewhat diffuse.
• Complex Plotlines Impacted the Pacing and Clarity: The intricate plotlines, while ambitious, sometimes felt convoluted, impacting the overall pacing and clarity of the narrative. Viewers may have struggled to keep track of all the moving parts.
• Shift from Personal Vendetta to Larger World Conflicts: The shift from a primarily personal vendetta in the first two films to a larger-scale conflict involving the High Table complicated the narrative, potentially alienating some viewers who preferred the more focused approach of the earlier installments.

Action Overload

Parabellum delivered an impressive array of action sequences, but the sheer volume might have overwhelmed some viewers, diminishing the impact of individual scenes.

• Less Emphasis on Meticulously Choreographed Fight Scenes: While still featuring impressive action, some critics argued there was a slight shift away from the meticulously choreographed fight scenes that characterized the earlier films, potentially impacting the quality of action in some viewers' eyes.
• More Reliance on CGI and Large-Scale Set Pieces: The increased use of CGI and large-scale set pieces, while visually stunning, might have felt less grounded and intimate compared to the more practical, visceral action of the previous films.
• Oversaturation Leading to Diminished Impact of Individual Scenes: The sheer volume of action, while impressive, may have resulted in an oversaturation effect, making individual scenes less memorable and impactful.

High Expectations and Diminishing Returns

The success of the first two John Wick films created exceptionally high expectations for Parabellum. This, coupled with potential formulaic elements, likely contributed to the lower Rotten Tomatoes score.

Following Two Critically Acclaimed Predecessors

The first two films set a remarkably high bar for action cinema, establishing a unique blend of stylish action, compelling character development, and intricate world-building.

• Chapter 3 Had to Surpass Extremely Positive Reviews: Parabellum faced the daunting task of exceeding the overwhelmingly positive critical reception of its predecessors. This inherent pressure likely influenced the overall critical assessment.
• Innovation in the Action Genre Was Harder to Achieve a Third Time: Replicating, or even surpassing, the innovative action sequences of the earlier films proved challenging, potentially leading to a feeling of repetitiveness amongst some critics.
• Audiences May Have Expected an Even Higher Level of Refinement: Audiences, having witnessed the excellence of the previous films, may have unconsciously expected an even higher level of refinement in terms of action, storytelling, and character development.

Formulaic Elements

Some critics pointed out a degree of formulaic repetition in the plot structure and action sequences of Parabellum.

• Reliance on Familiar Tropes Within the Action Genre: The film may have relied more heavily on familiar tropes and conventions of the action genre, resulting in a less original and surprising narrative.
• Lack of Significant Plot Twists or Surprises: The relative predictability of the plot, lacking significant twists or surprises, might have disappointed some viewers who sought a more unpredictable storyline.
• Predictable Narrative Beats Impacting Viewer Engagement: The use of predictable narrative beats may have lessened the overall viewer engagement, impacting the overall critical response.

Comparative Analysis with Other John Wick Films

A direct comparison of the Rotten Tomatoes scores across the John Wick franchise illuminates the disparity in critical reception between Parabellum and its predecessors.

Rotten Tomatoes Score Comparison

(Note: These scores are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the data source and time of access.)

This data reveals that while John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum still received a positive Rotten Tomatoes score, it did mark a slight dip compared to Chapter 2. The audience scores, however, remained consistently high, indicating that the film's popularity among general viewers remained strong.

Key Differences in Style and Substance

Several stylistic and narrative differences contribute to Parabellum's lower critical standing compared to earlier films in the series.

• Changes in Cinematography, Editing, and Pacing: Subtle shifts in cinematography, editing, and pacing may have contributed to a different viewing experience compared to earlier installments.
• Evolution (or Lack Thereof) in Character Development: The development and exploration of existing characters may not have achieved the same depth as seen in earlier films.
• Overall Tone and Mood Shifts Compared to Previous Installments: A perceived shift in the overall tone and mood compared to the previous films in the franchise could have also influenced the critical response.

Conclusion

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, despite its box office success, received a somewhat lower Rotten Tomatoes score than its predecessors. This appears to be a result of several interconnected factors: the increased scale potentially diluting the intimate feel of the earlier films, the challenge of meeting exceptionally high expectations set by the first two movies, and the possible presence of more formulaic elements in the narrative and action. By analyzing these factors, we gain valuable insight into the complexities of maintaining critical acclaim within a successful action franchise. To further explore this topic, we encourage a deep dive into individual John Wick 3 Rotten Tomatoes reviews and a comparative analysis of all the John Wick films. Keep an eye out for future installments and consider how these factors might affect the critical reception of future John Wick movies.