SummaryThe three-part John Wick prequal set in mid-1970s New York centers on Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) and how he became the owner of the Continental Hotel.
SummaryThe three-part John Wick prequal set in mid-1970s New York centers on Winston Scott (Colin Woodell) and how he became the owner of the Continental Hotel.
“The Continental” is a worthy prequel with suitably gothic production design, brilliantly executed stunt work and some fantastically timed needle drops.
It’s all style at best, and no substance—even for a series that prioritizes bravura and flair over everything else. Ultimately, “The Continental” is an adequate detour; just a linear connection-of-franchise dots explaining how Winston stole the keys to the house.
Though it seems more a test of concept than a complete saga, it’s a tentatively successful one — though with one major misstep that’ll be enough to ruin the whole experiment for many.
It’s serviceable. Even with Mel Gibson involved, it’s not bad enough to hurt the John Wick franchise, but it’s also not exciting enough to justify becoming a key part of the canon.
Despite being only three episodes long, The Continental is a slog that’s bogged down by poor characterization, brutal pacing, and extended droughts from its shootouts.
The Continental feels afraid to go all-out, limiting itself to a few thrilling action sequences whose creativity makes the sparse character motivations and drawn-out plot that much more belabored.