Fight like a girl
Ana de Armas brings action ballet to the John Wick universe
I wasn't expecting Ballerina to be as strong as the main John Wick films. It has that quality of the John Wick connection being an afterthought, but that is easily forgiven considering the quality of the action on display. Ballerina has big shoes to fill. Eve (Ana de Armas) has a pretty straightforward set of motivations. Not surprisingly, it comes down to revenge. You can't have a John Wick franchise film without revenge being a major motivator. It serves its purpose and doesn't get in the way.
The world that the Eve lives in is steeped in its own mythology. One that has close ties to the films. The nature of it reminds me that there's definitely a lot of fun had with the world-building. It can get grandiose, but it is a fun stage for the actors and the action at hand. There are some nice moments where we get a sense of what her training is. They didn't make her fighting style a carbon copy, leaning into the fact that her physicality is different. The highlight is her “final test,” and it's the most tense moment in the film. There's also a really solid (and very brief) action performance from Norman Reedus. He doesn't have as much to work with, but it is cool to see him in this universe. He feels like a perfect fit. The film is also notable for being Lance Reddick’s final performance in the franchise. The series was my first introduction to him as an actor when I saw John Wick in theaters. It’s an absolute loss that he’s no longer with us.
The first action scenes that we are given are pretty straightforward. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the team of choreographers (87Eleven) are the best at their craft, and they appropriately have increasing fun throughout the movie by upping the stakes. There is one major battle with the deployment of flamethrowers that is something I've never seen before. I would describe it as an inferno ballet, and it brings to mind that the whole concept of the ballerina assassin really fits the standard of choreography in the franchise. It's brutal, but with an element of elegance and mastery that fits the mystery of the world that they inhabit. There is a moment-by-moment precision emphasis on detail. In every situation, they make a point of trying to find some way of making the format interesting. For people who want highly intricate and immersive action, these movies never disappoint. There are definitely going to be some surprise moments for fans of the franchise.
It's been made clear in promotional material that John Wick himself appears in the film. It is great to see Keanu Reeves as John Wick, but his appearance in the film is what I was the least satisfied with. I didn't need John Wick in the movie to be invested, but I understand the profit incentives. His first appearance is a way to bridge the film to John Wick: Chapter 3, and it works as a sharp cameo. What is clunkier is the insertion of his character in the final act. Pulling him into it the action doesn't feel natural considering that he's on the run at this point in this the timeline. I can also tell that they brought in Wick to replace a character that would have been a dramatically stronger choice for the sequence. It's still fun to see Reeves do his thing, but it’s a real shame that the team wasn’t confident enough to take a risk without him.
Overall, the movie didn’t disappoint as a fan of the franchise. I don't believe that it's strong enough to warrant continuation, unless they find a more unique twist on the format. There's something about the John Wick films with Reeves' presence, the nature of of his commitment to the action, and his comfort with the crew that can’t be replaced. There will be a spin-off with Donnie Yen as Caine. That is a much safer bet to make for success. Donnie Yen is already an accomplished action performer and director. The premise of a blind assassin is unique, and his execution of the character in John Wick: Chapter 4 is one of its highlights. Ana de Armas does a good job, but the premise in Ballerina lacks the spark needed to better differentiate it from the Wick films. Armas is a capable actress that can do much more with the same action chops she’s developed in a more robust, character-driven story.