‘Ballerina’ Review: A Surprisingly Successful ‘John Wick’ Spinoff

Search for “Ballerina movie reshoots” and you’ll find numerous articles discussing the extended production of the first John Wick spin-off film. It’s clear that in 2017, Lionsgate bought a script about a ballerina who secretly works as an assassin with plans to adapt it into a John Wick movie. They gave audiences a taste of these deadly dancers in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, and then started production on the spin-off towards the end of 2022.

In 2019, we saw the release of John Wick: Chapter 3 , and subsequently John Wick: Chapter 4 hit the screens in 2023. However, Ballerina has taken its time, spending years in post-production. It’s now set to premiere this coming summer, marking a gap of nearly three years since filming began and over two years after co-star Lance Reddick’s unfortunate passing.

During this period, Lionsgate commissioned a series of additional filming sessions for Ballerina. The exact amount of the final version that comes from these reshoots, as well as who directed them, has sparked numerous speculations on Google. Originally, Len Wiseman was in charge of Ballerina’s production. However, it is rumored that Chad Stahelski, known for his work on the John Wick series, oversaw at least a portion of these reshoots. In an interview, Stahelski mentioned that he worked on “a couple of weeks” worth of changes to action sequences and filled in for some time that Len didn’t have.

In my perspective, I don’t possess any exclusive information, merely sharing my personal response to the completed movie, “Ballerina.” The initial part of this film seems like a gloomy, sluggish imitation of the “John Wick” series, attempting to replicate its stylistic elements but falling short on the delightful energy it embodies during its iconic fight scenes. Then, roughly halfway through this two-hour film, there’s a noticeable change – the second half becomes an absolute joy! It boasts at least three captivating, witty, and darkly amusing set pieces that rival or even surpass anything seen in the four preceding “John Wick” films.

In the movie “Ballerina”, it’s Keanu Reeves – famously known as John Wick – who makes an appearance, albeit in a minor role. The main character here is Eve (played by Ana de Armas), reminiscent of the dance-fighting assassins we saw in “John Wick: Chapter 3”. Interestingly, “Ballerina” revisits the scene from Chapter 3 that takes place within a lethal ballet troupe, with Eve playing an onlooker who seeks John Wick’s counsel about life as a hired gun. The plot also delves into Eve’s past to give her a heart-wrenching backstory similar to John Wick’s lost pup, serving as motivation for her vendetta against a mysterious cult run by the enigmatic “The Chancellor”, portrayed by Gabriel Byrne.

In this film, scenes transition infrequently yet awkwardly, with a slow pace and abrupt edits. Long sequences unfold only to abruptly shift to another location. Amidst some routine gunfights, characters like Ian McShane and Anjelica Huston from the John Wick series discuss the themes of destiny and morality. It’s peculiar that a film, particularly one titled Ballerina, would convey such philosophical messages about the impact of a single bullet on the world, given its frequent use of numerous bullets in almost every scene with minimal impact. The action scenes in this initial part are filled with gunfights and knife fights, but they lack the clever humor that usually sets John Wick apart from similar films.

After Eve discovers the Chancellor’s whereabouts, she follows his path across various European cities. At this stage, the story transforms into a thrilling race to the end, titled Ballerina. The lengthy discussions about morality and politics, as well as scenes focusing on characters’ emotions or personal lives, are eliminated to make way for an endless series of imaginative action sequences instead.

In usual circumstances, I might gripe about a movie that trades its scant themes and concepts for unrelenting stunts and explosions. However, Ballerina doesn’t just offer common cinematic violence; the second half transforms action sequences into breathtaking visual symphonies. Some scenes will leave you reeling from their raw intensity, while others will tickle your funny bone with their clever, whimsical twists. Remarkably, there are moments – such as a duel involving flamethrowers that might just be the most literal firefight ever captured on film – that manage to provoke both shock and laughter. I’m thrilled that the Academy Awards have finally recognized the artistry in stunt design with an Oscar category, because Ballerina is a shining example of why it deserves recognition.

It’s clear that De Armas is a skilled action star, and her brief but impactful role in the latest James Bond film, “No Time to Die,” underscores this fact. Similar to Reeves, she frequently finds herself right in the thick of intense action sequences, engaging in fights, using weapons, and even flamethrowing – quite an impressive feat! However, unlike Reeves who exudes a certain stoic depth as Wick, De Armas’ performance lacks the same level of soulfulness. This becomes particularly evident when they appear together in “Ballerina.

In my opinion, Reeves’ enigmatic aura took the John Wick series to new heights, transcending ordinary thrillers. Ballerina, however, didn’t quite reach those lofty peaks, but considering its prolonged post-production, simply avoiding being a catastrophe seems like an accomplishment in itself. The director behind this film, particularly the fantastic second half, did an outstanding job.

Additional Thoughts:

In my perspective, the captivating scene of a group of women, transitioning from graceful ballerinas to fierce gun-wielding individuals, was initially an intriguing detail in the backdrop of John Wick’s peculiar underworld. However, the movie ‘Ballerina’ seemingly neglects to delve deeper into this interesting concept. Despite Eve’s extensive training under Huston’s Director, her ballet skills seem entirely irrelevant to the film’s narrative. It’s not as if she uses her ballerina career as a cover for assassinations or incorporates ballet moves into her fight sequences. Much like other intricate aspects of John Wick’s expansive mythology, such as the luxurious Continental hotels frequented exclusively by hitmen who transact in gold coins, these ideas fail to withstand close examination.

Discussing movies that are particularly effective without giving too much away, the second part of “Ballerina” is set in a secluded Alpine town. It brought to mind the fictional Eastern European country from the 1985 action film “Gymkata.” In this movie, an Olympic gymnast transforms into a CIA agent and eventually lands in a place eerily reminiscent of the “Village of the Crazies,” where everyone seems intent on his demise, and all structures serve double duty as gymnastics equipment. Given my deep affection for “Gymkata,” I offer this comparison as a sincere compliment.

RATING: 7/10

The 10 Best Action Movies of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Avengement (2019)

Over the past 15 years, there isn’t another actor who has excelled in as many straightforward action movies as Scott Adkins. He has graced both big-budget Hollywood productions (such as being one of Mads Mikkelsen’s henchmen in Doctor Strange) and smaller direct-to-video/streaming thrillers, which make up the majority of his work. A prime example showcasing Adkins’ raw, lethal acting style can be found in Avengement, a movie where he, alongside frequent collaborator director Jesse V. Johnson, portrays an ex-convict on a highly personal quest for revenge against his own brother. Despite its somewhat humorous title, this film offers a satisfyingly gritty and brutal viewing experience.

9. The Fall Guy (2024)

Just like an aging muscle car with faulty brakes, “The Fall Guy” gains momentum and never looks back. Its most captivating moments resonate with the same exuberant spirit as a classic Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical, inviting you to join in the fun – or simply sit back and enjoy the ride.

In essence, when a film strikes a chord like “The Fall Guy,” it appears magical to the audience. However, behind the scenes, creating this illusion is a blend of skillful deception and arduous work, much of which is acknowledged by the unsung heroes of the production crew, as portrayed in “The Fall Guy.”

In a pivotal scene, Emily Blunt’s character Jody Moreno tells Ryan Gosling’s stuntman Colt Seavers that she wants their action sequences to express the question, “How far would you go for the one you love?” If “the one” is replaced with the euphoria of exceptional cinema, then you have the driving force behind this delightful film.

8. Rebel Ridge (2024)

In 2024, Aaron Pierre was expected to be the center of attention in the film industry due to his compelling portrayal of an upright Marine entangled with corrupt cops in the movie “Rebel Ridge”. However, when it came out as one of twelve new Netflix releases in September that year, it didn’t quite achieve that status. This doesn’t diminish Pierre’s exceptional performance or the fact that Jeremy Saulnier, the talented director behind “Blue Ruin” and “Green Room”, delivered another top-notch action film. The movie feels like a contemporary interpretation of “First Blood”. What sets this action movie apart is its hero, a Marine martial arts instructor falsely accused by a crooked police chief, who tries to find peaceful resolutions instead of resorting to violence whenever possible. Fortunately for the viewers, he isn’t always successful.

7. John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum (2019)

The entirety of “John Wick: Chapter 3” is breathtaking, yet the movie’s initial 40 minutes, during which Keanu Reeves’ relentless assassin flees New York City in various ways (including running, biking, and riding on horseback) and literally beats a man to death with a book, might just be the most intense, unadulterated cinematic work of the past decade. John Wick, though you may have been excommunicated, you will never lose your place in my heart. I have a feeling we’ll reconnect soon, at least on this list.

6. Mission: Impossible — Fallout (2018)

Discussing the intricate and daring plot twists, as well as the death-defying stunts of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which surpassed even those of its predecessor Rogue Nation in terms of insanity – all this, however, is just a backdrop for what truly sets this film apart. In an era dominated by jaded popular culture, Tom Cruise stands out as a genuinely sincere artist. He could have easily delegated his stunts to a stuntman or relied more on computer-generated effects. Yet he chooses not to because he is deeply invested in his films and willing to go to any length (or fall, run) to please his audience. This unwavering passion is evident in every frame of this highly enjoyable – and genuinely heartfelt – action movie. For instance, Cruise actually broke his ankle during the stunt depicted in this image. Despite the injury, he completed the shot and it was included in the final film.

The thrilling plot twists and daring stunts of Mission: Impossible – Fallout, which surpassed even those of its predecessor Rogue Nation in terms of sheer insanity, are just a prelude to what makes this movie truly exceptional. In an age where popular culture tends towards cynicism, Tom Cruise stands as a rare artist with undeniable sincerity. Rather than relying on stuntmen or computer-generated effects, he performs his own stunts because he genuinely cares about his films and his audience. This unwavering dedication is evident throughout the film, such as when he broke his ankle during the stunt shown in this image but still completed it for the final cut.

5. Bad Black (2016)

Despite the raw and unpolished aspects in the Ugandan action film titled “Bad Black,” it is not a chaotic comedy as portrayed by Tommy Wiseau. Instead, it’s more like receiving an intense adrenaline rush. Director Nabwana I.G.G. kicks off the movie with an exhilarating 10-minute chase and shootout scene in Wakaliga, and the action seldom slows down for the following hour. The editing is fast-paced yet easy to follow, the stunts showcase impressive agility, the portrayal of life in Uganda is intriguing, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved is truly contagious. Essentially, you won’t find many more enjoyable experiences watching a movie than this one. In essence, “Bad Black” isn’t so bad it’s good – it’s so good that it’s just “Bad Black.

4. John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

In “John Wick: Chapter 4,” Keanu Reeves’ character, John Wick, may have wrapped up his story or reached its peak. The movie’s finale, in fact, takes place atop a massive staircase leading to the Sacré-Cœur church in Paris. Spanning three hours and filled with action sequences that could easily power three films, this chapter finds John Wick traversing the globe in his quest to end his brutal conflict with the High Table. Reeves delivers another impressive performance as the complex anti-hero, this time joined by an exceptional cast of action stars including Scott Adkins, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, and Donnie Yen as the blind swordsman/assassin Caine. It remains to be seen if Reeves and director Chad Stahelski can surpass this feat, but I’d be thrilled to see them attempt it again.

3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

In the 2020s, it seemed nearly impossible to imagine a more non-essential film than a sequel to Top Gun. However, with determination and dedication to traditional cinematic artistry, director Joseph Kosinski and actor-producer Tom Cruise managed to create a Top Gun sequel that was not just thrilling and engaging but also resonated with our contemporary world – although perhaps not politically, certainly in the need for visually stunning images that can only be appreciated on a massive screen. In today’s era, such a perspective might indeed be considered unconventional or daring.

2. RRR (2022)

This Indian film, titled RRR, overwhelms your brain’s pleasure centers with a three-hour extravaganza of spectacle, romance, music, and thrilling action sequences. It can be roughly compared to a modern South Asian adaptation of an old John Woo action movie, featuring two exceptionally powerful characters, one being Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.), a Gond tribe warrior, and the other, Rama (Ram Charan), a member of the British Empire’s military forces. While in Delhi, Bheem is on a mission to find a kidnapped girl, and Rama is tasked with locating the man who seeks her. Despite being enemies initially, fate brings them together through an unexpected accident, transforming them into swift allies instead. RRR is incredibly audacious when it comes to engaging its audience, and the seamless combination of fighting and dancing scenes is truly remarkable.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The film “Mad Max: Fury Road” stands out as one of the best car chase movies from the past decade, even reaching back to the century. Not only does it deliver spectacular action sequences, but it also ranks among the most spiritually profound and Biblical films produced in recent years. Essentially, it’s a modern-day exodus story—a journey away from Sodom and Gomorrah in pursuit of a new paradise. A band of heroic women, led by the iconic Imperator Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron), make their way through the desert guided by a mad prophet (Tom Hardy’s Max Rockatansky). While Max helps them find safety, he himself cannot share in it. George Miller’s chaotic masterpiece demonstrates that action movies can be both exhilarating and intelligent. If anyone attempts to persuade you otherwise, simply look them straight in the eye and say, “That’s a misdirection.

2025-06-05 17:26