FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA
Starring: Ana de Armas, Gabriel Byrne, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, Norman Reedus, Keanu Reeves, and Lance Reddick
Director: Len Wiseman
NICK
From the World of John Wick... Ah yes, the world of John Wick, where a stab wound is just a minor inconvenience. Jokes aside, this film is exactly what you'd hope it to be. Ana de Armas fits right into the lead role as she shows off her ass-kicking chops, while Chad Stahelski's fingerprints are all over the innovative action set pieces (some of which are among the best in the franchise). Although Eve's (de Armas) origin story goes a touch too long, she grows to cement herself as another character more than capable of carrying this franchise post-Keanu Reeves.
ADRIANO
Aside from the magnum opus that is John Wick: Chapter 4, Ballerina (the full name is dumb) is about as good as any film in this franchise. You may say the story is generic, but I'd argue it builds the universe further, diving into the indoctrinating factor of this assassin world. And the action is pure John Wick. It's obvious that series overseer Chad Stahelski had some hand in the reshoots (Keanu Reeves is just here for the trailers), but when Ana de Armas is shooting down an army of henchmen, I don't care when it was shot in the schedule. So, as a franchise fan, I'm satisfied.
AMARÚ
There’s a self-aware grandiosity that the John Wick franchise pokes fun at that makes it work so well with its bloody violence, and Ballerina’s second and third acts find a groove to capture that familiar tongue-in-cheek sensibility. I’m glad it did too, because way too often, both the movie and Ana de Armas take themselves much too seriously. The shallow revenge plot and cliché drama have no personality to start, doing de Armas no favors in helping us connect with her character. But luckily, some familiar faces and standout action pulled me back every time I felt myself losing interest.
BODE
The last time the John Wick franchise spun-off from its titular character’s hellish journey, it was in the form of a not-very-beloved prequel miniseries (The Continental). So, what about Ballerina? Well, the good news is that there’s enough in this interquel (particularly in Ana de Armas and its fun action sequences) to keep it watchable, especially in the (Chad Stahelski-reshot) second half. The bad news is that it often feels like a lesser version of a Wick movie due to its by-the-numbers revenge plot and lack of operatic energy. That said, if you’re not asking for a lot, you’ll be satisfied.
QUENTIN
For all the talk of superhero fatigue, how come no one is mentioning John Wick fatigue? If you love this franchise, Ballerina is more of the same: neon-soaked fisticuffs rooted in frenzied gunfire and well-choreographed knife-play against waves of faceless henchmen. If that is all you want, it delivers. However, if you want character development, a formidable villain, compelling performances, or an engaging story, it would be better to look elsewhere. Ultimately, this is every female-driven Wick ripoff — Atomic Blonde, Kate, and Jolt all come to mind — except it has official Wick branding. For some, that will be enough. For me, flamethrower fight aside… shrug.
KATIE
I was disappointed by Ballerina. Aside from some very strong action scenes, it's stitched together with dull dialogue, flat performances, and weak character development that should have just been omitted entirely. It begins with a cliché backstory that goes on for too long, and I’d rather it didn’t even attempt to tell emotional backstories if they’re going to be this insubstantial. Ana de Armas is good in the leading role, but her performance doesn’t stand out, and her character is built on the fact that she’s… a girl?! Unfortunately, Ballerina doesn’t add to the franchise, but relies heavily on it.
