“Ballerina” receives positive reviews as a notable spinoff of the “John Wick” series, highlighting it as an enjoyable film experience.
The film “Ballerina,” a spinoff from the highly-acclaimed “John Wick” franchise, has garnered a mixture of praise and criticism as it prepares for its nationwide release. Set within the same timeline as “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,” the film features the return of Keanu Reeves, this time focusing on the character Eve, portrayed by Ana de Armas. Eve is depicted as a Ruska Roma-trained assassin on a quest for vengeance following her father’s murder.
As of Thursday, “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” is receiving a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a favorable Metacritic score of 62, indicating a generally positive reception from critics. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted de Armas’s performance, describing her as a magnetic presence with impressive action capabilities. The Guardian commended the Oscar-nominated actress for her ability to excel in action sequences, recalling her role in the 2021 James Bond film “No Time to Die.”
In a more enthusiastic review, USA Today stated that there is no longer a desire for a female counterpart to iconic male action heroes, suggesting instead that audiences look forward to more films centered around the character of Eve. Vulture characterized the film as both absurd and thrilling, noting that while “Ballerina” does not initially appear to fit the mold of a typical “John Wick” installment, it evolves into one as the story progresses.
The Houston Chronicle echoed this sentiment, asserting that the film lives up to the franchise’s reputation for intense and visceral action. Ana de Armas, they noted, convincingly proves that she can hold her own alongside Reeves in the action-packed narrative. Conversely, the Chicago Tribune offered a more restrained critique, granting the film 2.5 out of 4 stars and observing that while Anjelica Huston, who plays the role of a Russian mob boss, delivers a standout performance, the film does not fully succeed in engaging its audience.
Rolling Stone provided a slightly underwhelmed response, acknowledging de Armas’s strengths but criticizing the film for rehashing familiar emotional sequences between action scenes. Entertainment Weekly, though admitting the film is undeniably entertaining, likened the experience to fast food—satisfying in the moment but potentially leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied afterward.
In a stark contrast, The Telegraph labeled “Ballerina” as an absolute disappointment, awarding it a mere 1 out of 5-star rating and reflecting on the lack of emotional investment in the character of Eve. Directed by Len Wiseman, known for his work on the “Underworld” series, “Ballerina” is set to hit theaters nationwide, adding another layer to the expanding “John Wick” universe.
As critical evaluations continue to emerge, the film’s reception is likely to influence its performance at the box office, as audiences remain eager to see how Eve’s story unfolds within this celebrated franchise.
