“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” follows Eve Macarro, as she takes on an army of killers while seeking revenge against those responsible for the death of her father.
A Shaky Start in the Shadow of John Wick
“Ballerina” gets off to a rocky start. As the title suggests, it’s “From the World of John Wick.” And it really lets you know this. The first 30 minutes of the film feel like an obligatory montage of cameos and tie-ins.
Once “Ballerina” settles in, it quickly begins to develop its own identity. From then on, there is no slowing down. It features all of the impressive “John Wick” action that we’ve grown to love but still stands on its own.
Ana de Armas Shines in a New Lead Role
Ana de Armas leads the way as Eve. One of “Ballerina”‘s biggest benefits is that she isn’t Keanu Reeves. Armas brings her own skillset to the franchise, and they are able to implement a lot of creative new ideas because of this. Alongside her work in the action department, Armas also succeeds on a dialogue level. Her character’s desire for revenge can be heard through every syllable that she speaks. This alone adds depth to Eve’s motive and actions.
Norman Reedus as Pine and Abraham Popoola as Frank also make for fun additions to the series. Reedus is his usual self, successfully playing a gritty, hardened character that carries emotional weight. Popoola only makes a brief appearance in the flick, but it is a memorable one.
Action and Atmosphere Raise the Stakes
“Ballerina” features true character development. Eve goes through a learning curve, and this is documented through the first several fight scenes. Other action flicks gloss past this aspect, but “Ballerina” doesn’t.
Even five films in, the “John Wick” franchise continues to amaze with its action. “Ballerina” implements an array of combat types, continuing to up the stakes with each set piece. On top of the hand-to-hand combat, the film also utilizes many different types of weaponry. Some of these earned huge laughs, while others left me in awe.
Different lighting techniques and varying settings aid in creating a visceral atmosphere during these sequences. Whether it’s having strobe lights surrounding the characters or introducing snowfall to the mix, these unique attributes keep “Ballerina” feeling fresh.
Once “Ballerina” escapes the grasp of its predecessors, it’s a lot of fun. The film fully embraces its female lead, with Ana de Armas completely transforming into the role. It adds lore to the world of “John Wick” and exceeds the franchise’s high standards for action.
Everything that you want from a “John Wick” movie is here.
Rating: 4 out of 5
