Ballerina Review
John Wick really changed the genre for good when it came to delivering the action. As the franchise progressed with each new installment, the stunts got more intense and the cinematography became more impressive. Whether it be a top down gun fight that feels straight out of a video game or an all-out shootout at the Continental, every John Wick film was a blast to watch. Perhaps that’s why Lionsgate decided to continue expanding the world of John Wick, first with the Continental streaming series and now with Ballerina. That said, does Ballerina have what it takes to live up to the franchise’s legacy? In some ways, the answer is yes.
Ballerina follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) as she trains to become an assassin to seek vengeance for her father’s death. However, she has many obstacles to overcome during her time at the Continental. From henchmen sent by the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne) to confronting Wick (Keanu Reeves) himself, Eve must learn and adapt to the workings of the Ruska Roma if she ever hopes to get revenge.
If you’re expecting Ballerina to hit with the action like any other John Wick instalment, you won’t be disappointed. While the first act purely establishes the stakes, the rest of the movie throws you in for a loop with those adrenaline-pumping action scenes you’ve been hoping for. There’s a particular sequence past the second act where de Armas really proves herself to be one of the most capable action stars yet. Plus, the additional cinematography and editing from Romain Lacourbas and Jason Ballantine, respectively, capture the cutting edge insanity you want from nearly every fight scene.
Moreover, de Armas’ performance as Eve Macarro is one for the books, proving her to be cunning as she is charming in some fun ways. Though the backstory for her character is somewhat basic, the work that de Armas puts into the stunts are simply amazing. Of course, this formulaic plot of getting revenge feels somewhat predictable, given the Chancellor’s motives for setting up that narrative in the first place. However, you can’t help but enjoy the energy that de Armas inserts into Eve despite everything that happens.
Of course, given how de Armas gives a stellar performance, her co-stars help make her stand out despite the usual story beats playing out. Particularly, Norman Reedus’ Daniel feels like an inspired combination of The Walking Dead’s Daryl Dixon and his underrated performance from Death Stranding. Reedus’ chemistry with de Armas really carries this story, particularly late into Ballerina. Fans can only hope there were more scenes involving Eve and Daniel to enhance the character dynamics, but what we’ve got was good.
With all this said, the story of Ballerina definitely needs some improvements given how it wants to expand the world of the franchise while being its own thing. As stated, the revenge plot between Eve and the Chancellor feels predictable, with nearly playing out in a similar way as the first John Wick movie. There’s no build-up to a surprising twist or a reveal that may shock you since all of that was already covered from what fans have seen in the trailers. Yet, if you’re expecting Ballerina to be entertaining, then it won’t disappoint you.
What’s a John Wick spinoff without the presence of the franchise’s two most iconic figures, Charon (Lance Reddick) and Wick himself? Of course, these roles are relegated to being cameo features, with both actors displaying elegance in this “passing of the torch” to de Armas. Still, their presences in the film honors that tie-in between Parabellum and Chapter 4, with Reddick giving perhaps an honorable sendoff, both for Charon and his career in general.
Ballerina is absolutely bloody, brutal, and gruesome as you’d want a John Wick spinoff to be even if it has a straightforward plot. If you’re genuinely looking for an entertaining watch in theaters that’ll keep you hooked, then Wiseman has created that film just for you. However, don’t look too deep into the details if you want this spinoff to have that intrigue.
Ballerina releases in theaters on June 6.
Rating: ★★★½
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.