John Wick: Chapter Two review

Often, when we watch action movies and martial arts epics, we embrace the craftsmanship of everything on show without actually truly appreciating what the art of creation is and in JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2, we are exposed to buckets of it – and it is magnificent!

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a practice that has emerged significantly in the last decade, thanks to the likes of Gina Carano and Ronda Rousey. The former has become a major force in female action heroines, carrying on the tradition of the likes of Cynthia Rothrock (CHINA O’BRIEN) and Michelle Yeoh (TOMORROW NEVER DIES) with her roles in films like DEADPOOL, HAYWIRE AND FAST & FURIOUS 6.

Keanu Reeves is making waves again in the recent release JOHN WICK – CHAPTER 2, playing the assassin out for revenge and it is against the backdrop of this new release that Film and TV Now were given the opportunity, in the relative safety and security of a London Gymbox, to sample some of the training and techniques in a two hour taster.

Read our review of the superb JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 here

As somebody who has practiced Kickboxing for a number of years now (through KB Fitness (www.kbfitness.co.uk) , I am well aware of the discipline, practice and desire required to fulfill the mandate of a Martial Artist. It is not just about learning to defend yourself or focus power in a specific way, but also to create a sense of self-worth and importance in your life.

Thanks to the staff at Farringdon Gymbox and representatives of the Roger Grace Academy (RGA London), myself and other journalists were put through their paces in the round. However, I forgot to bring some proper attire to the session and had to do it in my casuals!

The two-hour session covered basic punching, circuit training and some jujitsu defending on a mat.

After an initial introduction, we were given a series of punching drills in one minute bursts, learning how to duck and dive and help maintain our balance.

After this, we were then moved onto a series of circuit training disciplines, consisting of ropes, pulling of weights a set distance, bouncing balls against walls and on the floor and pushing and pulling a type with a partner. In my case, the circuit completed with intense pedalling on a gymbike with no let-up.

As expected, the instructors were keen to push us as far as we could and over the two hour period, we certainly got a sense of what people like Mr. Reeves and others have to put themselves through to achieve their aims on screen. I like to think I actually didn’t do too badly and the final discipline with the jujitsu moves and grapples actually showed what could be achieved and how you can bend somebody’s own strength to your own will

(I must also add that some of the moves were overwhelming even for a second and, if you feel inspired by this article, must be attempted in the context of qualified instructors who can guide you safely and securely through these moves, that can cause damage and concern if not used properly!)

I would heartily recommend anyone doing something like this and even if you don’t achieve the status of Carano or Jet Li, you can at least put it down as part of your bucket list.

John Wick: Chapter 2 MMA

Do you want to learn to fight like John Wick? Well, now is your chance!

To celebrate the release of JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO in cinemas now, John Wick has partnered with GymBox to get you ‘Wick’d in to shape.

This GymBox ‘Wick Wednesday’ inspired MMA conditioning class will feature on their Wednesday timetable at 2pm for the next few weeks – and they in turn have been working with renowned UK fighters to help structure and shape the session. In attendance will be specialists Ross Nicholls for Brazilian ju-jitsu, Lewis Dove for Boxing and Rojer White for strength and conditioning.

The MMA conditioning class will be inspired by routines and disciplines seen in John Wick: Chapter Two and has been created by Philip Tieu, Muaythai coach and head coach of Team Tieu, black belt in Jeet Kune Do and head of combat for Gymbox.

You can find out more about it here: www.gymbox.com 

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Film and TV Journalist Follow: @Higgins99John Follow: @filmandtvnow

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