Latest news with #BALLERINA
Sydney Morning Herald
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off
FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA ★★ (MA) 125 minutes Rumours of a fifth John Wick film, with Keanu Reeves returning as the world's favourite globetrotting, puppy-loving assassin, remain just rumours for the moment. Meanwhile, Ballerina is being marketed as 'from the world of John Wick' meaning that the heroine Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is a graduate of the Ruska Roma assassin academy for young ladies, which was first seen in John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum decorously presenting itself to the world as a ballet school. Anjelica Huston returns as the school's stern, largely deskbound director, and Reeves has what amounts to an extended cameo as Wick, who eventually becomes Eve's reluctant mentor (if you're keeping track, the action takes place in between the third and fourth Wick films). This has its risks. If you want to watch a James Bond movie, it doesn't mean you want to watch a movie about some other charmingly lethal spy you've never heard of, while Bond stops by for 10 minutes or so to offer advice and support from a distance (nothing like this has ever happened in the past, at least not on the big screen – but we can't rule it out since Amazon now owns the rights to Bond). Not only does this risk diluting your original brand, but it also gives the impression that you don't believe your new story and character can stand on their own two feet. In the case of Ballerina, there's some reason for this anxiety. The Wick connection aside, what we're dealing with is a very standard revenge yarn, following Eve after graduation as she heads for Europe to seek out the sinister clan that killed her father (David Castaneda). Good action films have been based on slimmer premises, but none of it winds up being very satisfying, although there's no single reason why. The script is rather disjointed, failing to do much with either the ballerina premise or the backstory involving Eve's dad. The director Len Wiseman isn't incompetent, but makes no attempt to match the dazzling stunt work of the Wick films at their best. Nor is De Armas the equal of Reeves as an action star (a motif introduced early on involves Eve learning to 'fight like a girl,' but this, too, is exploited less interestingly than might be hoped). Despite all the impalings and bullets to the head, there is in the end a fatal softness to the whole enterprise: De Armas as Eve is too little the relentless force of nature, too much the worried ingenue, fronting up for her early missions with the look of a would-be entrepreneur applying for her first job at a publishing company.
The Age
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Ana de Armas learns to ‘fight like a girl' in John Wick spin-off
FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA ★★ (MA) 125 minutes Rumours of a fifth John Wick film, with Keanu Reeves returning as the world's favourite globetrotting, puppy-loving assassin, remain just rumours for the moment. Meanwhile, Ballerina is being marketed as 'from the world of John Wick' meaning that the heroine Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas) is a graduate of the Ruska Roma assassin academy for young ladies, which was first seen in John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum decorously presenting itself to the world as a ballet school. Anjelica Huston returns as the school's stern, largely deskbound director, and Reeves has what amounts to an extended cameo as Wick, who eventually becomes Eve's reluctant mentor (if you're keeping track, the action takes place in between the third and fourth Wick films). This has its risks. If you want to watch a James Bond movie, it doesn't mean you want to watch a movie about some other charmingly lethal spy you've never heard of, while Bond stops by for 10 minutes or so to offer advice and support from a distance (nothing like this has ever happened in the past, at least not on the big screen – but we can't rule it out since Amazon now owns the rights to Bond). Not only does this risk diluting your original brand, but it also gives the impression that you don't believe your new story and character can stand on their own two feet. In the case of Ballerina, there's some reason for this anxiety. The Wick connection aside, what we're dealing with is a very standard revenge yarn, following Eve after graduation as she heads for Europe to seek out the sinister clan that killed her father (David Castaneda). Good action films have been based on slimmer premises, but none of it winds up being very satisfying, although there's no single reason why. The script is rather disjointed, failing to do much with either the ballerina premise or the backstory involving Eve's dad. The director Len Wiseman isn't incompetent, but makes no attempt to match the dazzling stunt work of the Wick films at their best. Nor is De Armas the equal of Reeves as an action star (a motif introduced early on involves Eve learning to 'fight like a girl,' but this, too, is exploited less interestingly than might be hoped). Despite all the impalings and bullets to the head, there is in the end a fatal softness to the whole enterprise: De Armas as Eve is too little the relentless force of nature, too much the worried ingenue, fronting up for her early missions with the look of a would-be entrepreneur applying for her first job at a publishing company.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
John Wick spinoff Ballerina First Reviews: Ana de Armas shines through bullets in a performance much appreciated by fans
When Keanu Reeves first stepped into the tailored suit of John Wick, few could have guessed what was to come next. Now, with From the World of John Wick: Ballerina — a spinoff set within the same shadow-drenched universe — the Wick-verse expands, bringing a fresh face to the forefront: Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin seeking vengeance. Set between the chaotic events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Ballerina explores Eve's descent into the criminal underworld in search of justice for her father's death. The twist? Unlike John, who is trying to claw his way out, Eve is fighting her way in. As director Len Wiseman puts it, '(It's) kind of the opposite of John Wick's story. Wick is trying to get out of his life as an assassin; Eve is wanting in — she wants to be a killer.' Now that some excited fans have watched the film, early reactions on X are setting the stage for a potentially explosive addition to the franchise. Though it's still early days, the buzz is loud, chaotic, and mostly positive. One review sets the tone with high praise for the action and Ana's performance: 'I had a blast with #BallerinaMovie, which has all the Wickism's you'd expect, from fast-paced bloody shootouts to carnage-inducing brawls that push the creative limit. It's exhaustive in the way that the Wick films excel, and has one of the best flamethrower scenes since Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019). While nothing can topple the Baba Yaga himself, Ana de Armas does fine work here, particularly in the physicality required of the role. No Mary Sue indestructible nonsense. She takes the hits, as well as delivering them, making for a more convincing performance set within the Wick world. All in all, a Wicktastic spinoff that fits the mould well.' Another echoed a similar appreciation for the film's refusal to make Eve a mere gender-swapped Wick: 'BALLERINA features some great stunt action & fight choreography. Thankfully, they did not try to make Ana de Armas' Eve be a female John Wick. She stands on her own & handles business her way. Fight like a girl, Keanu's parts are a definite highlight for fans! #ballerinamovie.' The film's visual and emotional intensity also made an impression: 'BALLERINA is a visual exhibition to feel the ACTION. Vibrant, frenetic, intense & vengeful, and I'm not just referring to the film, but also to Ana de Armas. An actress capable of anything w/ an electric aura that will paralyse you into not moving from your seat.' Another comment read, '#BallerinaMovie takes a bit to find its footing but really takes off in a blaze of glory. Sits really well in this middle ground of goofy and gritty that allows for exciting & memorable action sequences. Love Ana de Armas in this kind of vehicle. Summer movie season is here!' And perhaps the most telling takeaway came from a sceptical viewer turned believer: 'Walking out of #BallerinaMovie pleasantly surprised & still buzzing off some franchise-high action sequences. as someone who was very hesitant that armas could live up to the john wick name, I recommend releasing your worries and giving it a real shot.' According to fans, it's clear that the film doesn't rewrite the Wick formula; it's less about reinventing the wheel and more about spinning it in new directions, and delightfully, Ana de Armas has carved out her own blood-soaked ballet on the stage John Wick built.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lionsgate's Staggered ‘Ballerina' Embargo For 'Enthusiastic' & 'Critical Sentiment' Irks Reviewers
We're all atune to the increasingly curated early responses to movies from distributors but this was beyond the pale for many. Lionsgate yesterday sent out an email to Ballerina critics and reviewers in which it told them that 'spoiler-free enthusiasm' on social media is allowed starting on May 22 and that 'critical social sentiment & formal reviews are embargoed until' June 4. More from Deadline Lionsgate Confirms It May Split Michael Jackson Biopic Into Two Movies As Release Is Pushed - Update New Lionsgate Studios Swings To The Black, Revenue Pops In First Quarterly Report As Standalone Company Kieran Culkin Joins 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping' As Caesar Flickerman Quite rightly, this bent many out of shape. That's an unethical demand for most. Critics we spoke to hadn't heard of an embargo edict going that far before. Many online were also perturbed. The BALLERINA embargo notice is absolutely unethical: An embargo hold on negative reactions?! Only positive reactions are okay?!Certainly hope none of you will be complicit in this buffoonery. If any of you value your dignity (I know, it's a tough ask), you won't cave. — Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) May 22, 2025 This is the review embargo for Ballerina. Negative reactions being on hold is absolutely insane. Regardless if the reaction is positive or negative, wouldn't you want people talking about your film anyways? — Mission Impossible – The Final Alex (@Alex_Madden_) May 22, 2025 The Lionsgate split embargo on BALLERINA has me fired up and I wrote a little rant about the slow death of film — devincf (@devincf) May 22, 2025 We hear from studio sources that this was a case of poor wording and that following the outcry marketers reached out to those who received the note to let them know that they're welcome to express whatever opinion they have of the movie. That would be a good outcome if it came to pass. Hopefully the rowing back wasn't only a result of the outcry. The early reaction and influencer curated responses to movies have been growing in the wrong direction for a while. We don't need anymore blurring of the critical boundaries. Best of Deadline Every 'The Voice' Winner Since Season 1, Including 9 Team Blake Champions Everything We Know About 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' So Far 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
