Lionsgate was all the time going to want to take the John Wick franchise in a brand new path if it needed to maintain the movie sequence going after the inevitable exit of its central star. A spinoff series got here and went with a telling lack of fanfare that spoke, partially, to how John Wick tales really feel like they have been meant to be skilled in film theaters. And whereas the studio has a second tie-in show in the works, it looks like one other venture that may wind up being an indication that John Wick works greatest on the silver display.
On paper, director Len Wiseman’s awkwardly named From the World of John Wick: Ballerina function sounds just like the type of simple parallel prequel that would work as the start of a brand new chapter for the bigger franchise. There’s a simplicity to the story and a comedic whimsy to (a few of) its motion that feels true to the John Wick model. And there are sufficient returning faces from the older movies that it really works pretty effectively as a crash course introduction to this gore-filled world of assassins.
However in observe, Ballerina lacks quite a lot of the near-camp aptitude that made earlier John Wick movies enjoyable, and most of its set items really feel uninspired. Moderately than utilizing its story to indicate you the way an abnormal individual learns the ins and outs of the murderer life-style, Ballerina spends most of its runtime riffing on narrative beats from different motion movies. Which may have labored if the film’s main actor delivered a compelling efficiency that offered her character because the sequence’ rightful inheritor. However Ana de Armas’ appearing — particularly in comparison with that of her co-stars — falls too flat for its personal good.
Set between the occasions of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, Ballerina chronicles the rise of Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) as she turns into one of many world’s most-wanted employed killers. As an orphan raised inside the Ruska Roma, Eve is aware of that she’s destined to observe within the bloody footsteps of her adoptive mom, the Director (Anjelica Huston). However a part of her nonetheless yearns to depart her violent life behind to pursue a profession as a ballerina. It’s a dream that Eve’s father (David Castañeda) inspired her to carry onto throughout her childhood whereas he labored to maintain their small household protected and much away from one other clan of lethal assassins. However after being pressured to observe his homicide by the hands of the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne) as a toddler, Eve locks that a part of herself away with the intention to give attention to revenge.
As one of many Ruska Roma’s strongest younger college students, it doesn’t take a lot for Eve to persuade the Director to let her begin occurring assignments to take out and / or defend high-profile targets. However when considered one of her missions brings her face-to-face with a member of the Chancellor’s clan, she breaks protocol and begins searching extra of them down, figuring out full effectively that her adoptive household will take swift motion to cease her earlier than she units off a warfare.
In comparison with previous John Wick movies, there’s a roughness to Ballerina’s choreographed fights that’s meant to focus on how comparatively new Eve is to working within the discipline and the way, due to her small stature, she must be inventive in her method to taking over bigger opponents. Whereas Eve finds herself in loads of shoot-outs, the movie typically leaves her with nothing however her wits and no matter mundane objects (quite than weapons) occur to be laying round.
It’s an concept that works effectively sufficient all through Ballerina’s first act, once we’re first proven her signature transfer of utilizing her body weight to snap individuals’s necks and arms. Although Ballerina’s script cribs some story beats from Kill Invoice and Marvel’s Black Widow, the movie’s motion is basic John Wick in the best way its brawls emphasize the artistry of stunt combating. However because the movie progresses, it shortly turns into clear that Eve doesn’t have many different methods up her sleeve, and the few that she does have are likely to really feel like steps de Armas is counting her manner via.
Performing has by no means actually been the massive draw for John Wick films, however there’s an emotionally picket high quality to de Armas’ efficiency that makes Eve onerous to purchase as a posh, conflicted character. That is particularly obvious in scenes between Eve and Ballerina’s different returning characters from John Wick’s previous like New York Continental proprietor Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and resort concierge Charon (the late Lance Reddick in his last on-screen efficiency).
The place Ballerina does work effectively is in moments the place it embraces the cartoon vitality that’s all the time been current within the John Wick franchise and served to offset the visceral brutality of its brawls. It’s robust watching Eve slash individuals’s faces to shreds with ice skates on her fingers, nevertheless it’s wildly enjoyable watching her use a fireplace hose to sq. off with somebody wielding a flamethrower. De Armas’ awkwardness truly appears like extra of a function than a bug in scenes that double down on the concept that Eve is studying on the job and nonetheless getting used to the ridiculousness of being an murderer on this heightened actuality. However Ballerina insists on returning to a severe tone that does no favors for its lead actor.
It’s simple to think about Ballerina actually shining with a bit bit extra live-action cartoon vitality and a story that really felt like a journey via the world of John Wick. However for that sort of a great time, we’re going to need to wait for whatever the franchise has next.