As “Ballerina” pirouettes into theaters, it looks like we’ll be getting a whole different spin on the John Wick universe. Ana de Armas plays an international killer and dancer, Eve Macarro. The film strikes a better balance between exploring new territory and giving franchise fans the action they expect and demand – and so much more. Does it stick the landing? This review will explore the film's strengths and weaknesses, examining its impact on the John Wick world and whether it's worth your time and money.

A New Dance in the Wick Universe

What makes “Ballerina” unique is that it marks the introduction of Eve Macarro, a protagonist who is not John Wick himself but is very much connected to the saga’s universe. This provides the film a gigantic canvas to explore every facet of the assassin underworld and the organizations that regulate it. The film's setting, primarily taking place before the events of "John Wick: Chapter 4" but overlapping with "Chapter 3," offers a unique perspective on the timeline.

The film delves into the Ruska Roma, the crime syndicate with strong ties to John Wick, providing more context to their operations. By taking a close look at their sadistic training regime and their highly stratified, authoritarian command structure, the documentary deepens an already interesting mythology. This singular focus provides a richer context to one of the world’s most complicated networks of friendships and rivalries.

By setting a big chunk of the film in the 1970s, it establishes a very visually attractive aesthetic. This creative decision provides fertile ground to mine other narratives while working within familiar parameters of the franchise. This allows for new faces and narratives, expanding the understanding and reach of the growing franchise. The film's timeline places "Ballerina" at the same time as "John Wick: Chapter 3" and concludes before the events of "Chapter 4."

Action and Ana de Armas: Strengths in Motion

The action choreography for Ballerina is being led by Chad Stahelski, director of the previous John Wick films. This subscription processing gives the game a stylized look and atmosphere, as well as providing the hard-hitting, gun-fu action sequences fans know and love. More violent action set pieces were developed by Stahelski with director Len Wiseman, underscoring a dedication to strong action.

Ana de Armas is a revelation as Eve, combining elegance with deadly martial arts prowess. And her training as a ballerina-assassin makes for some wonderfully creative action setpieces. This unique world-building backdrop is a welcomed departure from the previous original John Wick films. The film features dynamic fight scenes, with Norman Reedus traveling to Budapest to film his added sequences, implying a significant investment in complex choreography.

The film's action sequences were shot from November 2022 to January 2023 in Prague, with additional sequences shot in February 2024. This long production schedule has clearly paid off, with an obvious commitment to creating jaw-dropping visuals and exceptionally detailed action sequences.

Plot Confusion and Wick's Limited Role: Stumbling Blocks

In spite of these positives, “Ballerina” ultimately is derailed by a number of plot holes that will leave audiences scratching their heads. The Director, who is introduced in “Ballerina,” was supposedly killed off in “Chapter 3” for aiding John, making it a continuity mistake. John Wick’s unexpected cameo in the film’s third act. That’s a loaded question, given what happened in “Chapter 3,” where he was exiled and thought-to-be dead.

Certain audiences might get lost in the film’s overall plot complexity, as though the screenwriters have missed several important beats established in the story development of “Chapter 3. This negligence of minor details can ruin the overall experience for serious action movie fans. Even though this new movie is meant to branch out the whole John Wick universe, these oddities are bound to have fanboys puzzled.

Even though John Wick does make an appearance in the movie, his screen time is noticeably reduced. Most of the narrative centers on Eve Macarro’s blood feud and quest for revenge. The movie-based gameplay barely touches upon the original characters and storylines.

Dubbing: A Double-Edged Sword

The film's English dub features notable actors. Dubbing can allow films to reach wider audiences by being more accessible. With every play adaptation, it at least sometimes shifts the mood and temperament of characters. Take for instance differences in voice acting for the same character across different adaptations, which can affect how the audience perceives that character.

Dubbing can create a more cohesive experience with consistent voice acting throughout different regions and languages, improving the viewer experience. Fiddling with the original dialogue can seriously alter your audience’s impression of your story and your characters. That effect can change their perception of what’s most important to the story.

Here is a summary of the pros and cons of dubbing:

  • Pros:

    • Increased Accessibility
    • Voice consistency

  • Cons:

    • Altered character portrayal
    • Dialogue changes

The Verdict: A Dance Worth Watching?

"Ballerina" presents a mixed bag. Ana de Armas is a revelation, a worthy spiritual successor to the late greats like Chad Stahelski’s action choreography, is up to the John Wick standard. Despite these positives, plot holes and a messy storyline could have audiences feeling underwhelmed.

To be honest, whether “Ballerina” is worth seeing will largely depend on the expectations that you bring into it. Fans of Ana de Armas and action movies in the broadest sense will certainly enjoy themselves. Die hard John Wick super fans will find reason to be disappointed by the plot holes and absence of the original characters. Ultimately, "Ballerina" is a decent action film that expands the John Wick universe, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors.