"A superb release," noted expert David A. Gross, noting that each sequel to a "John Wick" film has managed to surpass its predecessor.
Critics are generally full of the film for which Keanu Reeves is once again headlining, as a hitman fighting an international criminal group.
"If only all the action movies were equally good and so neatly choreographed," enthused the Washington Post -- even if for some, the very high toll (more than 100 dead over the course of the film) is a little too exaggerated.
"John Wick: Chapter 4" owes much of its choreography to its director Chad Stahelski, himself a former stuntman. Alongside Keanu Reeves are Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard and Laurence Fishburne.
In second place, the DC film "Shazam! "Rage of the Gods" grossed only $9.7 million in its second week of operation. According to the specialized magazine Variety, the figure represents "one of the worst attendance for a recent superhero movie".
Next in the ranking is the new episode of the "Scream" saga, "Scream VI", with $ 8.4 million in revenue.
The boxing film "Creed III", in the universe "Rocky", is in fourth place, having earned $ 8.4 million for its 4th week of operation.
In fifth place, down one place from last weekend: the sci-fi thriller "65", with $ 3.3 million. Adam Driver is the main actor in this time travel story that juxtaposes spaceships and dinosaurs.
Here are the rest of the top 10:
6. "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" ($2.4 million)
7. "Crazy Bear" (2.1 million)
8. "Jesus Revolution" (2 million)
9. "Champions" (1.5 million)
10. "Avatar 2: The Way of Water" (1.4 million)
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