How Dan Lausten Made John Wick Chapter 4 “A Piece of Art”?
What makes John Wick particularly standout is that no matter how crowdy or busy it gets with action it never compromises on cinematography standards.
If you have watched John Wick Chapter 4 then you wouldn’t resist but agree that it is the most beautiful action movie you’ve ever seen. The visuals starting from the very first frame of the film till the end credits are simply breathtaking. On the other hand, if you haven’t watched the movie yet then you wouldn’t believe me saying that Dan Lausten the Cinematographer of John Wick Chapter 4 along with Chad Stahelski (director) has created a true work of art.
"The Matrix" of Action Genre
Let’s face the truth, most of us remember action movies as jerky camera work with eternally boring action sequences which at times packaged with tasteless humor feel too repetitive. John Wick franchise on the other hand is nothing short of extraordinary. In fact some even believe that John Wick could truly be “The Matrix” of action genre.
I know most of you would definitely ask, “what is so special about John Wick, and what is this hype all about?” Trust me I am very happy to explain. Also, with this one I would like to be very detailed, so bear with me as I attempt to justify my claim.
Why Cinematography Matters?
Movies are basically moving pictures, and every frame in a movie is meant to tell something about the story. Here is when the art of cinematography comes into play. Cinematography, which sounds like a fancy term, is essentially the art and science of using lighting, composition, and camerawork to create a visual image in a film. And a Cinematographer is a professional artist who works with the director of the film to achieve the desired look of a film that is in line with the larger theme of the movie.
From deciding shot compositions to lighting and colors, everything comes under the domain of the Cinematographer. So if you find a movie unusually beautiful that's probably the Cinematographer’s magic at play.
The Magic of John Wick Chapter 4
Now let’s talk about the magic of John Wick Chapter 4. The level of planning that has gone into crafting each scene in John Wick 4 is really commendable. Especially the action sequences, each set piece is planned to perfection when it comes to aesthetic appeal and choreography.
What makes John Wick particularly standout is that no matter how crowdy or busy it gets with action it never compromises on cinematography standards. You will never see a single skewed frame in John Wick, and for an action-packed film, this is nothing short of amazing.
Another very noteworthy highlight of the movie is the lighting. The use of lights in this movie to get the desired visual style is breathtaking. An IMAX viewing is a must if you want to really appreciate the lighting depth in this movie.
The John Wick Style
What’s really beautiful about John Wick is that every set piece screams distinctive John Wick style perfection. A real treat to watch if you’re an art lover. The production design is slick, to say the least. If you look at all the previous John Wick movies, all the sets are so well crafted that makes the cinematographer’s job so much more interesting. And with John Wick 4, the production design is grand.
It is this perfect blend of beautiful sets, direction, action choreography, perfect lighting, and some noticeable mastery from Dan Lausten (the cinematographer) that makes John Wick a true piece of art.
