The action-packed Ballerina proves you can actually have too much of John Wick

John Wick could have encountered numerous adversaries throughout his career, yet none as challenging as the toughest opponent that the character from “Ballerina” has previously confronted: Critics on Film Twitter.

Last month, American critics found themselves perplexed by an unusual phrasing in the social media embargo for a new film, which permitted “spoiler-free excitement” but barred “critical opinions” until a few weeks later. However, it became clear after the uproar that any response, just like with any movie under a social media embargo, was acceptable.

If you’ve been keeping up with the film industry for some time, you’d understand that initial reviews are often very positive; it’s not common for a movie to receive harsh criticism right away because studios can delay the release of negative feedback (or choose not to screen the film at all). Early reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt. However, given the recent backlash against the movie “Ballerina”, you might find yourself doubtful about it.

What to Read Next

With the arrival of “Ballerina” and the lifting of any potential excitement-related or other restrictions, it’s likely that you’ll predominantly ponder why this film in particular sparked such strong opposition.

Since Ballerina is quite excellent, sometimes even outstanding, it would have been well-received. There’s a lot for John Wick fans to enjoy due to its almost non-stop action, making it a more successful expansion of the franchise compared to the dull TV series The Continental.

It turns out that the unexpected downfall is the John Wick-like aspect in it. We never imagined one could have too much of a good thing, but with Ballerina, you might find yourself yearning for less of Keanu Reeves’ renowned dog-loving assassin character, as well as fewer action scenes.

In the context of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” we are introduced to Eve Macarro, portrayed by Ana de Armas. After the passing of her father, she was adopted by the Ruska Roma community, where she honed her skills as a formidable assassin.

The same ballet/assassin training institution from Chapter 3 is back, led by the Director (Anjelica Huston), who imposes a single rule on Eve: she cannot pursue vengeance for her father’s demise. “In the realm of bloodshed,” she warns Eve, “there must be regulations or else nothing endures,” but as we know, Eve doesn’t follow this advice.

Fortunately for Eve, much like John Wick earlier, she can rely on Winston (Ian McShane) and Charon (Lance Reddick in his last on-screen appearance), ready to aid her. Not long after, she delves into her history, setting herself up for a confrontation with the individual who orchestrated her father’s demise.

During her journey, Eve must rely heavily on her Ruska Roma training to stay alive, and there are numerous chances to demonstrate her talents. For a movie like John Wick, Ballerina is brimming with action scenes, and once it kicks off, it hardly pauses for air, which can negatively impact its own storyline at times.

In just about a minute, a key detail is introduced, though it could be argued we gave them extra time for this. In contrast, other secondary characters are given only a single dimension to their characterization before they’re immediately thrust into the action.

In contrast to the lengthy, escalating action sequences found in films like the John Wick series, Ballerina features multiple shorter fights, with only a few minutes separating each one. Although these fight scenes can be quite spectacular, they become somewhat repetitive as Eve continues to defeat group after group of adversaries.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the highly anticipated showdown between Eve and John Wick in the film didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Compared to other scenes, it felt more like a fizzle than a bang. Given that we know Eve can’t kill John before Chapter 4, and considering John’s character, it was lacking in dramatic tension. Removing this scene wouldn’t alter the plot of “Ballerina” significantly, and it underscores a broader issue within the series.

In the climactic part, John Wick assumes a more significant part than anticipated, effectively shifting attention away from Eve. The initial dance school encounter (depicted in trailers) was sufficient, as there were enough John Wick-style elements scattered throughout to clearly establish the film within the distinctive universe of John Wick.

Although Eve might not be as pivotal as Wick, Ana de Armas delivers an impressive performance that doesn’t require backup. In scenes where Eve handles a flamethrower like it’s a gun or employs grenades in inventive ways, you forget all about Wick and wish more attention was given to Eve instead of the Eve/Wick clash.

As a dedicated fan, I strongly feel that by narrowing the lens and centering more on Eve’s perspective, many of the intricate plot issues could have been effectively addressed. In certain instances, it seemed as if an action-packed sequence was employed to mask some of the narrative inconsistencies.

The John Wick series has been known for introducing memorable characters other than John Wick himself, like Zero in Chapter 3, Caine in Chapter 4, and even the despicable Iosef in the initial film. However, the movie Ballerina barely succeeds in making Eve stand out. Unfortunately, the villain in Ballerina is quite forgettable as well.

As a fan, if you’re craving two hours of thrilling action reminiscent of the John Wick franchise, then give Ballerina a try. The fight sequences are flawlessly choreographed and visually stunning. Unfortunately, the rest of the film doesn’t quite reach the same level of perfection.

Ballerina is released in cinemas on 6 June.

Hey gamers! I’ve got some exciting news for all the comedy fans out there! The very first printed issue of Digital Spy’s magazine is available now! It features some of Britain’s funniest legends. You can grab a copy at your local newsagents or order online, and guess what? It’s only £3.99! Don’t miss out on this laugh-out-loud read!

Read More

2025-06-05 01:50