“Ballerina” twirls into the Wick franchise with style and gun-fu

After spending some time on television, director Len Wiseman returns to the big screen with “Ballerina,” produced by Lionsgate. Set in the world of the iconic action franchise “John Wick,” the film is written by Shay Hatten, who penned the third and fourth entries in the series.

Taking place between the events of “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and “Chapter 4,” “Ballerina” focuses on Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a ballerina-assassin who begins training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma under the watchful eye of the Director (Anjelica Huston) and her mentor Nogi (Sharon Duncan-Brewster).

Through an engaging montage, the audience learns that Eve is a quick learner and excels in her first mission, which involves protecting Katla Park (Choi Soo-young). However, Eve has a score to settle with the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne), responsible for her father’s death. As she seeks revenge, Eve encounters John Wick (Keanu Reeves) and his old friends Winston (Ian McShane) and Charon (Lance Reddick) from the New York Continental Hotel.

It’s hard to believe that the “John Wick” franchise began eleven years ago. If you haven’t seen the documentary “Wick Is Hell,” I highly recommend it, as it details the labor of love that went into getting the film to the big screen. The franchise has earned its legacy as a billion-dollar phenomenon. “Ballerina” has been shrouded in mystery and skepticism, particularly regarding the director’s choice.

Fortunately, thanks to returning writer Shay Hatten, who previously worked on “John Wick: Chapter 3” and “Chapter 4,” Len Wiseman has a solid template to follow. We get a glimpse into Eve’s backstory early on, allowing us to connect with her motivations. Ana de Armas is natural in the role, and I applaud the script for giving Eve a humanistic approach.

The story does not reduce her character to a mere sexpot; instead, Eve is depicted as a formidable killer, pulling off numerous applause-worthy moments using swords, guns, grenades, and hand-to-hand combat. I appreciated that she does not have excessive plot armor; while she inflicts damage, she also takes her fair share of hits. The strong supporting cast features veterans Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, and Lance Reddick, all bringing their usual charm to the screen.

It’s always a pleasure to see Gabriel Byrne portray a villain. Additionally, Norman Reedus has a brief but significant role that ties into the film’s direction in the third act, managing to avoid the typical alpha male bravado. As for Keanu Reeves’ extended cameo as Mr. Wick, it is worth the wait and connects seamlessly to the narrative.

If I had one minor gripe about the film, it would be the ending, which sets up a sequel that feels a bit forced nevertheless, though the angle of the “John Wick” franchise has always been about the gun-fu and ass-kicking, which “Ballerina” more than delivers.

Final Grade: B+

“Ballerina” will hold sneak previews tonight before opening in theaters tomorrow.