You are Him. The one they call the Baba Yaga. How do I start doing what you do?
Disclaimer
The review will contain spoilers, so if you are planning to watch it (Tickets are cheap on Tuesdays at PVR), avoid reading. You can directly skip to the last paragraph for the verdict. Because, “You Don’t Choose To Be A Killer. You Are Chosen”
The Timeline
Much of Ballerina takes place parallel to the third film in the franchise, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019). That film begins with John Wick being deemed “excommunicado” by the High Table, for killing one of their members at the New York Continental, a luxury hotel that acts as neutral ground for hitmen and women.
So John Wick goes to the Tarkovsky Theater, the Ruska Roma’s secret NYC headquarters, in hopes that the Director will grant him one last favor, as she was the one who took John Wick in when he was a little orphan and trained him. This is the time he meets Eve (Ana De Armas) for the first time.
The last sequence where John Wick arrives again, takes place before the events of John Wick: Chapter 4.
Ana De Armas as Eve
It was a treat to watch her do all the actions in the John Wick Universe. She did not only look great, she kicked ass. Her character was like how any origin story would be – good but not perfect. But it gives immense hope for the future installments.
While her action scenes were great, she was still a rookie, and the makers did not shy away from showing it. Obviously, she was no match for John Wick. And she would have been dead if he had not helped her in the end. She would have dies so many times if she did not have help. But as I said earlier, she can be great in the future installments, if they ever happen.
The Writing
Storylines in action films are rarely unique. So much have been done, so much has been shown. However, the audience still let’s it go if the overall presentation and action is up to the mark. Ballerina is just that. If you have see the 4 John Wick movies then you know Ballerina was nothing very unique. Even so, it was very well blended into the world of John Wick, as explained in the Timeline section above.
A whole town of a killers and psychopaths? Well, that was very interesting for sure. Also, the number of kills in Bellerina is also consistent with the franchises. Not saying the body count is the same as John Wick, but the overall feeling is maintained.
The Action
John Wick has always shown great action and this movie is no less. Okay, one can say its not as detailed, vivid, brutal or slick as John Wick movies but that’s fair, given that it was an origin story, whereas in the first John Wick itself, our hero was an experienced assassin.
The greatest part of any John Wick movie is the close-range combats, with a variety of weapons, not just guns. The action also includes the regular objects available nearby, whether they are kitchen knives, glass bowls, grenades, or flamethrowers.
Also, the way everything is shot and edited also enhances the overall experience a lot.
Comparison with Bollywood
One of the things that you will notice in many Hollywood franchises is that they build on the existing stuff, be it creative or technical, and build on it with each installment. For example, recall how Iron Man’s suit used to upgrade with every film. The combo attacks of the original 6 Avengers were upgraded in Age of Ultron.
Similarly, in John Wick series too, they keep on trying new stuff, even if it is as small as camera angles, weapons, villains, or locations. In Ballerina, I liked the cult town shown in the end, and those highly efficient flamethrowers. I’m not sure if such powerful flamethrowers have been shown before, but for me they were the best even on screen.
Bollywood does not do such stuff in their franchises or universes. Even if it is, its very rare and forgettable. For example, let’s take Baaghi franchise. In the first part, it was more on the lines of hand-to-hand combats and that is why people loved it so much. In Baaghis 2, Ronnie becomes a one-man army against an army. In Baaghi 3, he comes a one-man army against a country. They did upgrade, but in all the nonsense ways.
Imagine if Baaghi was made with such intent, it would have been one of the most intense action franchise to ever come from India, which everyone genuinely loved without ridiculing it. I think Tiger Shroff could have been come the poster boy of Indian action movies if he had gotten good action directors and intelligent producers.
One of the best action sequences of Tiger Shroff for me is his introductory action sequence in War. 6 years and nothing comes close to that till date, let’s see what they do in War 2.
I also feel we lack a lot in the female action department. Disha Patani is one such actress whose potential is not being tapped. Yes she is hot, but she is also great in action. Why always use her only for glamour? Why are Bollywood studios lacking imagination these days?
Sound Design
Sound design is the art of manipulating various audio elements like dialogue, sound effects, music, and ambient sounds to enhance storytelling. This time, I noticed and realized that each sound effect of Ballerina was quite loud and very noticeable which enhanced the overall experience. The thud sound when someone falls, the breaking of glass, when anything is moved, the punches and kicks, the bullet sounds, every little thing was audible. The eyes, ears and mind, everything was occupied.
I’m not saying this has never been done before. SFX or Foley is part of every film. But this time I actively noticed this while watching the film and it made me think, that’s why I’m sharing with you. The decibel levels of the sfx was definitely 15-2-% more than usual in Ballerina.
Final Verdict
Recommended for sure. Please go and watch it in the theatres if you haven’t already. You will have a lovely experience. Yes, I felt the story could have been a little more layered with a but more screentime, but still its quite entertaining. You won’t be disappointed.
OCD rating – ⭐⭐⭐½
Author: Ishan Jain
Cast – Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves
Director – Len Wiseman
Release – 6 June 2025 Worldwide | 13 June 2025 India
Produced by – Summit Entertainment, 87Eleven Entertainment and Thunder Road Films
Also check out: Housefull 5 Movie Review
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