Entertaining enough spin-off that features great stunts and action sequences one would expect from the franchise and while the story isn't terribly strong (to be fair none of the JW movies had amazing plots), it was a solid time-waster and Ana de Armas was fairly good in the lead. Reeves for his part probably had about 10-minutes of screen time and likely collected a nice paycheck for a day or two of filming. I won't say it broke new ground however I did think it was a step up from John Wick: Chapter 4. **3.5/5**
This isn’t a film, it’s a live action video game with a predictable plot and loads of energetically choreographed CGI to substitute for anything vaguely akin to a story. It starts with the young “Eve” (Victoria Comte) who witnesses her father’s death at the hands of “The Chancellor” (Gabriel Byrne) before being adopted into the secret society of “John Wick” by “Winston” (Ian McShane) and his drag-like boss (Angelica Huston) where she learns to combine the artistic skills of a ballerina with deadly ninja ones - as she morphs into Ana de Armas (whilst everyone else remains exactly the same). Any…
_Ballerina_ is a culmination of everything that works in the John Wick universe, but also dialed up to new heights. The movie is quite a simple vengeance story at the center which is sadly left unfulfilled but it is how well every other element of the movie is taken that makes this story actually work at the end of the day. The action is the same John Wick action we know and love but with so much more creativity infused this time around, from people popping like a balloon by way of grenade to people being lit on fire like crazy. This different approach to the action of the main John Wick films…
* 1. The Ballerina in the world of John Wick is a captivating character who seamlessly blends the grace of ballet with the lethality of combat, embodying the franchise's unique fusion of art and violence. Introduced in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, she enriches the series' intricate world-building by highlighting the diverse skills and backgrounds within the assassin network. Unity Phelan's portrayal is both elegant and fierce, making the Ballerina a memorable and striking addition to the John Wick universe.
This woman sure gets hit in the head a lot. TBI is real.
Grenade fight! Eve's got bad grenade reaction when tables are turned. Maybe that TBI is kicking in a bit, young lady. Better start your finger games.
Sure is long. So much running. Fake running. Can't fake running. Sword spinning is stupid. Dude walked right into flamethrower range, over dead bodies, paused, smiled and then flamed. Get on the finger games. This feels much longer than new avengers.
Seems like flamethrower victims'd either be fine enough to kill or screaming and writhing on the floor. Dual flamethrower spin was co…
I liked how there were a variety of specific weapon fights in this. Hammer fight, grenade fight, flame thrower fight. One big thing that bothers me, and has always bugged me about the John Wick movies is that there is this generic sounding rock/metal playing in the background for almost the entire duration of the movie. It really drags the whole thing down. It's funny how Norman Reedus just plays his character Daryl from the walking dead in everything he does now. This movie is ham faceable.
Fantastic opening sequence, filled with familial tenderness and then high octane action.
We've a masterclass of actors gracing is with their presence, and its such a fun ride.
The film has just the right amount of banter to put a smile on your face and is able to move at the "Wick Universe" speed and momentum.
"Wick" fans will appreciate that the film has an underlying story, one we can all feel. This has been an adventure in pain and vengeance, treachery, and honor.
80/100
Eve Macarro, groomed as an assassin by the Ruska Roma, uses here skills to hunt the killers of her father ...making herself an enemy to everyone. The 5th installment in the John Wick franchise was a very cool, exciting high action thriller. Director Len Wiseman takes the helm and, although the style of the film is noticeably different from other Wick movies, it is no less thrilling. Ana de Armas was the perfect Eve, Gabriel Byrne was an effective villain and John Wick making an appearance to stir things up, made this a joy to watch. Waiting for the sequel. -- DrNostromo.com
