Ballerina review: A violent, worthy entry to the John Wick universe

by

It seems unusual that a John Wick film would be made without the character of John Wick himself, and yet, the movie “Ballerina” presents a compelling argument as to why this franchise could possibly endure without Keanu Reeves’ iconic, taciturn, and stylishly suited persona.

Spinoff productions can be challenging, particularly when they revolve around a character as unique as John Wick, who has been the focus since 2014. The franchise has meticulously constructed an extensive mythology around Keanu Reeves’ character, a man who speaks little yet possesses an abundance of weapons due to his profound grief as the Baba Yaga.

Instead of concluding his violent odyssey with Chapter 5, attention now turns towards broadening the realm he’s about to depart – a realm where aggression becomes an art form and retribution transforms into a religious rite.

In this rephrased version: Eve, portrayed by Ana de Armas, makes an appearance. She’s a ballerina assassin nurtured under the same Ruska Roma criminal organization that shaped John Wick himself. Despite the new film not quite reaching the narrative heights of its predecessors, it certainly lives up to expectations when it comes to action scenes – with swords slicing through the air and bullets moving gracefully like dance steps, it offers stunningly brutal ballet-inspired violence.

What is Ballerina about?

Between the thrilling escapades of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, I find myself embarking on a personal quest as Ballerina’s protagonist, Eve (Armas). Having been schooled in the ruthless ballet-assassin training regimen of the Ruska Roma, my past is steeped in tragedy. This tale unfolds as I seek retribution for events that have shaped me into who I am today.

When she identifies a symbol on a suspect’s wrist, the identical one found on the murderers of her father, she plunges headlong into a violent chase that ensnares cults, bounty hunters, and an entire community of assassins.

In this story, Eve takes center stage, but the original group makes their presence felt one way or another. This includes Keanu Reeves’ Baba Yaga, Ian McShane’s Winston, and even Lance Reddick’s Charon in a special appearance post mortem.

In this scenario, the actions take center stage, and they’re absolutely spectacular! From fiery flamethrower confrontations that would make any epic battle seem trivial, to ice skate blows that make you wince in sympathy, and a multitude of stabs and gunshots that would fill anyone’s fist with bloodied knuckles, the kill methods are as inventive as they are preposterous.

From the John Wick school of violence

Ballerina shares many characteristics with the John Wick series, particularly its intricate and abundant fight scenes. In certain aspects, it pushes these elements even beyond what we’ve seen before – a specific death scene, for instance, veers towards the extreme violence reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s films (you’ll recognize it when you witness it).

Despite Chad Stahelski relinquishing the director’s role to become a producer in this installment, his impact on the series remains evident. The signature action style that sets the franchise apart continues to thrive, enhanced even more by Len Wiseman’s knack for delivering visually stunning, big-scale spectacle.

The choreography serves as the culmination of all efforts. Working alongside the 87Eleven team, who have been designing iconic fight sequences for this franchise over the years, they create scenes that are simultaneously intense and elegant. Not a single rhythm is missed by Armas in his performance.

In this movie, Ballerina doesn’t just tell you it’s a John Wick film; it shows you through its visual style. It emulates the distinctive look of its earlier versions. The camera moves with deliberate speed, while the lighting is sharp and contrasting, creating a stark effect. Moreover, the use of a purple-pink color scheme suggests the world of crime that forms the backdrop of the film.

The story loses its balance

As a dance enthusiast, I must admit that while Ballerina’s choreography is captivating and energetic, the narrative struggles to keep pace. Despite its fast-paced rhythm, the plot seems overly complex and at times, dull. There are numerous elements in play, but they never quite come together as seamlessly as I had hoped.

The John Wick movies may seem over-the-top, but they have a solid foundation in straightforward, impactful reasons for action – like John’s beloved dog, his sorrow, and his principles. Ballerina attempts to mirror this by focusing on Eve’s revenge plot, however, it rushes through backstory and secondary characters, making it difficult to establish genuine bonds.

In other words, unlike John Wick: Chapter 3’s siege at The Continental, which was not only thrilling due to its action sequences, but also heavy with the build-up of three movies’ worth of relationships and background information, Ballerina lacks that foundation. While its fight scenes are impressive, without a richer narrative context, even the most extraordinary moments can become indistinguishable from one another.

The characters, portrayed by Catalina Sandino Moreno as Lena and Norman Reedus as Pine, are captivating yet not fully realized. Gabriel Byrne’s Chancellor serves as a compelling antagonist, but his menace feels more conceptual than tangible in the storyline.

After that, there are several other significant characters to consider: Winston, the Director (portrayed by Anjelica Huston), Charon, not forgetting John Wick himself. With so many characters vying for attention on screen, it becomes a challenge to balance everyone’s story.

One Wick, many strong performances

Speaking of Reeves’ short role as John Wick, let me point out an interesting aspect: his presence underscores what seems to be lacking in the movie. Not every assassin can captivate like the Bogeyman on screen. While there are many Eves, there’s only one John Wick.

The character isn’t being completely undermined. Instead, it’s delightful to observe the intricate portrayal of a female assassin. Eve isn’t excessively sexualized or superficially strong; instead, she is flawed yet tenacious.

Armas consistently delivers in both intense battle scenes and subtler, emotive moments. She’s undeniably an action star, exuding total commitment as she navigates stunts flawlessly.

Byrne delivers the same understated threat that he showcased in End of Days and The Usual Suspects. Reedus handles his role effectively. McShane, who could likely portray Winston in his dreams by now, continues to add his unique dry charm to the character.

Lastly, a thoughtful acknowledgment to Reddick, who’s portrayal as Charon is skillfully managed. Fans who felt let down by his sudden departure in John Wick 4 can look forward to a more befitting farewell in this installment.

As a gamer putting this into my own words, I’d say: This movie takes things up a notch with its stunning fight scenes and eye-catching visuals – perfect for action fans like me! Now, the narrative might trip a bit here and there, but boy does it make for an enjoyable watch.

Ballerina review score: 3/5 – Good

It’s clear as day that Ballerina is nothing other than a film in the John Wick series. The vivid neon lighting and brutal, gory action scenes seamlessly fit into the franchise.

Ballerina is undeniably a movie from the John Wick saga. With its electrifying neon lighting and intense, graphic fight scenes, it fits right in with the rest of the films in the series.

The movie is sleek, intense, and trendy – at times, it’s even a bit too much. The storyline might be unclear, and there seems to be an overabundance of characters, but the skillful production cannot be ignored. There are numerous action sequences, and they’re all expertly designed.

A ballerina might not possess the gritty spirit of the John Wick tales, yet it skillfully twirls amidst turmoil.

On June 6, 2025, the Ballerina film will be shown in movie theaters. Here’s a peek at what we know so far about John Wick 5, the surprising truth behind Baby Yaga not being deceased, and other exciting movies to catch this month.

Read More

2025-06-05 01:19