Ballerina’s Action Style Will Shock You—It’s Nothing Like John Wick!

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HEADS UP: What I’m about to share may reveal a few subtle spoilers from the movie ‘Ballerina‘. If you haven’t watched this John Wick spin-off yet, remember that reading further might unveil some plot points. Proceed with caution!

Previously, I expressed my view that the “John Wick” series stands as the best action franchise ever created. Now, I’m delighted to assert that, from my perspective, director Len Wiseman’s fresh spin-off starring Ana de Armas, titled “Ballerina“, does nothing to harm this esteemed reputation.

To be frank, I was taken aback by how distinct the 2025 movie feels compared to the timeless action movie masterpieces that came before. It maintains its status as a high-octane revenge flick with Keanu Reeves reprising his iconic character of the troubled, renowned assassin. Yet, what sets it apart is its unique fighting style, which deviates significantly from my expectations. Let me elaborate…

For A Movie Called Ballerina, The Fight Sequences Are Not Very Balletic

When discussing the fight choreography in the John Wick films, the term that immediately springs to mind is “balletic.” The titular character exists within a realm inhabited by fighters who engage in combat that, despite its violence, exudes an air of artistic grace and rehearsed elegance reminiscent of a Swan Lake performance. I had expected such style to be more prominent in the spin-off titled Ballerina, but it seems my assumption was incorrect.

Ana de Armas’ character, Eve Macarro, begins her early years learning both ballet and assassination techniques. This seemed to imply she would gracefully dance while handling her “business.” However, the balletic performance style is confined to the stage alone, as Eve fights in a rough, unrefined manner that borders on clumsy. Interestingly, this is one of the aspects I admire most about the film “Ballerina.

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Prior to watching the movie “Ballerina”, consider streaming all four “John Wick” films and the prequel series, “The Continental”, on Peacock. Their standard premium plan is $7.99 per month, but you can save a couple of months’ worth by opting for their annual subscription at $79.99 in total. Check out the deal here!

All Things Considered, I Love Eve’s Fighting Style

While I greatly appreciate the distinctive action scenes in the main John Wick films, I must admit they don’t strike me as very realistic. Yet, surprisingly, I would describe Ballerina as the most authentic in fight choreography – at least compared to its predecessors.

The movie portrays Eve’s initial days as an assassin, which means she makes errors and isn’t as skilled as seasoned professionals like Wick. This humanizes the character and gives a relatable, fresh perspective. Additionally, it allows for the introduction of spectacular, extravagant stunts, such as flame-thrower battles, slicing enemies with ice skate blades, and smashing plates onto opponents’ faces.

Following Eric Eisenberg’s review of Ballerina, I approached the movie with modest anticipation given it being the fifth film in a cherished series and a spin-off to boot. Surprisingly, despite its questionable plot turns and arguably superfluous addition of Reeves as Wick, it managed to surpass my expectations by presenting some of the year’s top-notch action sequences.

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2025-06-08 20:08