BALLERINA

BALLERINA

Directed by Len Wiseman

Over 10 years ago the world was introduced to John Wick, Keanu Reeves' most recent iconic role in a career full of them. The series about a former assasin brought back into the underworld he tried to leave behind has slowly become one of the most influential and top tier action franchises of all time. There have been 4 John Wick movies with each one increasing in bananas gonzo action set pieces and intricate heavily detailed world building. 

Along with the insane action and legendary Keanu performance, the world building is what separates and elevated the franchise into something quite special and unique. One of the movies introduced us to the Ballerinas, young women trained to kill as well as do a killer pirouette. So just in time for SUMMER MOVE SEASON we have the (full title) FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA.

Taking place between Chapters 3 and 4 of John Wick (more on that later), we follow Ana de Armas' Ballerina as she goes on, yup you guessed it, a revenge mission mowing down bag guys in stellar and sometimes hilarious action set pieces. The fun crazy world building is still there from previous WICKs as well as a handful of supporting cast members reprise their roles.

Ana de Armas, who has proven to be quite terrific in films such as KNIVES OUT or NO TIME TO DIE but also been absolutely abysmal in duds like GHOSTED. Here she does a fine job of carrying the films main emotional through line as well as bouncing from one bone crunching fight to the next. I was curious to see what accent she was going to use for this and I'm happy to report my final analysis of it is: inexplicable.

The much advertised Keanu Wick appearance is surprisingly more than cameo and carries weight into the story. Just don't think too hard about the timeline, because it makes no sense. But damn that flamethrower finale had me flying in my seat! 

Reportedly JOHN WICK franchise godfather Chad Stahelski was brought in to reshoot most of the action, especially the last act. An excellent decision from the suits upstairs. If they want to make more spinoffs it has to have the flavor, the juice and the sauce. Otherwise just dump it on a streamer.

⭐⭐⭐ out of 4