Ana de Armas Stars in Explosive John Wick Spinoff Ballerina!

by

Ballerina” propels Ana de Armas into full-fledged action stardom within this fifth installment of the John Wick series. Set between Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, the movie features Baba Yaga as a major character, adding an impressive touch to the storyline. Although Keanu Reeves doesn’t have a substantial presence, his involvement lends authenticity to the straightforward narrative. The film is essentially a high-impact revenge thriller that packs a punch from beginning to end, but viewers seeking complexity or subtlety might find themselves in the wrong cinema.

In a secluded seaside mansion, a young girl named Eve Macarro (Victoria Comte), is swiftly concealed by her father, Javier (David Castañeda), amidst bookshelves as intruders invade their home. Javier valiantly fights off the attackers, displaying great courage, but ultimately succumbs when faced with overwhelming numbers. The true antagonist then emerges, reproaching Javier for his treachery. The only escape from this dangerous ‘family’ is through death.

Ana de Armas Unleashed

Shortly thereafter, a shaken Eve finds herself in a hospital contemplating her destiny, when an unknown figure brings her a crucial present – Winston Scott (Ian McShane) offers her sanctuary to start anew. Her future will be hers to shape, yet she won’t be left vulnerable or ill-equipped as the Ruska Roma provide her with the necessary resources for survival and progress. She accepts this opportunity.

In a demanding and unyielding manner, Director Anjelica Huston’s mentorship shaped Eve (Armas). Later, Eve dedicated herself tirelessly to ballet, pushing her body to its limits until her toenails bled and fell off. However, it was the events behind the scenes that truly showcased her exceptional abilities. Eve, with no hesitation, delivered punches, kicks, gunfire, and stabs as part of her rigorous training for a career as an assassin. Eve had been patiently waiting for the opportunity to take down her target, persevering despite being cautioned that challenging the Chancellor, a man considered inviolable, would trigger catastrophic repercussions and potentially break a truce lasting centuries.

Len Wiseman, known for films such as Underworld, Live Free or Die Hard, and Total Recall, is now taking over from series director Chad Stahelski in the John Wick franchise. While Wiseman’s background with the Die Hard series can be seen in his directing style, he doesn’t try to change things too drastically. Instead, he adds to the unique aesthetic and action style that made the John Wick universe a massive box-office success. It’s like adding different frostings to your favorite cake: The original taste remains, with some delightful new twists.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, let me say that Armas is absolutely at her best during the intense action sequences. Despite her petite stature and lack of brute strength compared to larger adversaries, she decimates her foes with surgical precision, preferring firearms as her preferred tool. Just like John Wick, a headshot is the fastest way to neutralize a threat, and Eve rarely fails to hit her mark. She’s also well-versed in anatomy, and those who endure her barrage of bullets are greeted with crippling blows. The choreography of her fighting style is meticulously crafted: Misogynists who grumble about smaller women dishing out beatdowns will be left speechless by her performance. However, they will surely flinch as she dislocates limbs and slashes throats.

I closely follow Eve’s gritty tale as she navigates the treacherous world of contract killing, each successful mission inked onto her skin with new Ruska Roma tattoos. This journey is where we witness her transformation from ordinary individual to an extraordinary figure of resilience and strength. To put it simply, Eve isn’t invulnerable; she endures injuries that necessitate medical attention, and she struggles to find her footing in her relentless pursuit of vengeance. Despite her vulnerabilities and limitations, she forges alliances with others who help balance the odds against a formidable adversary wielding immense resources.

Flame On!

In the movie “Ballerina,” it’s clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that Eve will achieve her lethal objective, causing some viewers to remark that the film is too predictable and lacks unexpected twists. However, it should be noted that an intricate plot isn’t the focus here. Instead, the “John Wick” series emphasizes world-building, constructing a hidden network of old criminal syndicates and assassins who are hired through teletypes and telephone operators. “Ballerina” extends this universe by including familiar faces such as Winston and Charon (portrayed by Lance Reddick in his final performance), elevating their roles to more intense action sequences.

The battle between the ballerina and the flamethrowers is a spectacle that makes the film worth watching. Previews only scratch the surface of its grandeur. It seems as though the entire plot was designed to bring about this astonishing finale, yet I find no fault in this, for it’s nothing short of mind-blowing. Action movies typically lack novelty and thrill; however, Ballerina exceeds expectations with its remarkable protagonist taking center stage.

The upcoming film “Ballerina,” produced by Summit Entertainment, Thunder Road Films, and 87North Productions, is set to hit theaters on June 6th, distributed by Lionsgate.

Read More

2025-06-05 01:02