Ballerina isn’t just another action movie: it’s got a madness and energy that only this franchise has. But it doesn’t just fit perfectly into the John Wick universe, it elevates its world-building and makes a strong case for this new protagonist Eve and her potency. Much of that is thanks to Ana de Armas, who is a powerhouse and gives Eve a deep pain that is weaponized into her expertly brutal assassin skills. That’s quite the main theme here and an interesting one — hate and trauma being weaponized into violence and vengeance, and the illusion of fate and a lack of choice. The actress wonderfully takes on action scenes and stunts so intricate they give some scenes from the main John Wick franchise a run for their money. Best of all, it never feels like its recycling too much from those films, whether from a visual or choreography perspective, even if the settings and musical score aren’t trying to hide that this is a Wick movie, and the character tie-ins may feel like a bit much.
As for the supporting cast, Anjelica Huston gives a strong reprisal of her supporting role from John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, while Gabriel Byrne is well-cast as the villain, though his dialogue becomes one-note and over-the-top rather quickly. Catalina Sandino Moreno is great to watch; it’s nice to see her finally given such a prominent role in a big film like this so long after her amazing turn in the Oscar-nominated Maria Full of Grace. Due to the film being set between the third and fourth main films, Keanu Reeves’ inclusion as John Wick is fun and justified, thought the excitement of having such an iconic star around may overstay its welcome for a film that isn’t about him. Even if the story uses familiar elements such as a revenge plot or an assassin groomed to kill from a young age, they all fit in the amazing action and scenery here, which keep one-upping themselves and the audience’s expectations. It’s an exciting and stylistically top-notch action movie that rewards its crowd, even if the story itself doesn’t pack many surprises.
4/5
Review by: Gal Balaban