Reel Review: Ballerina Is Perfectly Executed Addition to the John Wick Franchise
John Wick is a franchise notable for its execution of action sequences that other films struggle to compete with and Ballerina is no different. Unique weaponry and an original storyline, Ballerina lives on its own while also tying into the larger franchise.
Ballerina is a completely stand alone story following an orphan girl who barely escaped an attack upon her family. A once innocent young girl, Eve is thrust into a world of training between fights and dance. From an extremely young age, she is taught how to defend herself and hold her own against opponents bigger and stronger than her.
The through lines of family, vengeance, and reclaiming your own power are inspiring and empowering for young women. Eve may be viewed as a contract killer, but her ultimate goal is protection. Not only for herself but those she is asked to work for. Instead of using force to fight back, she uses her unique skillset of thinking on her feet, and being more nimble than her opponents. I commend the stunt team for their work on this film. While we know each fight sequence is intricately choreographed, none of the scenes felt rehearsed. Each action scene felt reel and had high stakes.
While many people will be quick to label Eve as the ‘Female John Wick’, I push back on that sentiment. While they do exist in the same universe and both follow a path of vengeance, Eve is incredibly individual. It is rare to see a woman lead an action movie of this caliber while also being given a solid storyline and evolution. She is able to grow and evolve without being overly sexualized through dialogue or wardrobe.
Ana De Armas steps into this role with no hesitation and owns everything that Eve represents. Much of this film reminded me of Black Widow, and not in a negative manner, but in a comparison level of what the bar for female action leads has been set at. It is wild what a decade can do for progress in this industry and while some may say Ballerina is nothing new, I am stern to disagree. Young women deserve strong female characters who can fight their own battles without being looked at as only love interests.
It is wildly refreshing to see a woman lead an action film with such gusto. In a world where studios cut budgets for female led films, Ballerina got all the bells and whistles of the John Wick franchise. The creative use of weaponry was one of the best elements of this film. Getting creative with ways to defend oneself is something women think about constantly. From a multipurpose gun knife to an entire flamethrower brawl, Ballerina has everything you want in an action film.
Ballerina is everything I expected and wanted from a John Wick spinoff. Ana De Armas is a force in this film delivering an action fueled performance that stands on its own. The use of unconventional weapons and perfectly executed fight sequences don't feel overly choreographed. Ballerina is an action packed spectacle best seen on the big screen.
Ballerina is playing in theaters now.
