“Ballerina” Film Reviews: Brilliant Action, Tedious Story
According to cinemadrame news agency, the film “Ballerina,” directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas and Keanu Reeves, received positive reviews from most critics. The film, which has an R rating, holds a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 81 reviews and a 62% score on Metacritic based on 32 reviews.
“Ballerina” focuses on the group led by Anjelica Huston in “John Wick 3.” De Armas plays an assassin named Rooney who seeks revenge for the murder of her family members. Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves are also among the cast of “Ballerina.” The screenplay was written by Shay Hatten, who also penned Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” and “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.”
The Hollywood Reporter writes that “Ballerina” takes steps in the right direction: “[Ana] de Armas has a captivating presence with the right moves, and [Len] Wiseman’s capable direction makes it a recklessly entertaining summer action film with great visual beauty.”
IndieWire writes: “The good news is that ‘Ballerina‘ has more to show us, and it turns out to add another surprising film to the ever-beautiful cinematic world of this franchise.”
Deadline writes: “[Ana] de Armas is the main reason this film works; her presence is captivating, and her movements are flawless. The same goes for Jason Ballantine’s editing.”
On the other hand, the Consequence critic is less satisfied with the film, writing: “As a film that needs to bring sophistication and charm to the ‘John Wick’ cinematic universe – and provide numerous spectacular action sequences – ‘Ballerina‘ performs well. Unfortunately, it doesn’t give its star a real character to portray or a coherent story.”
Screen is another critic that published a negative review for the film: “Ballerina‘ is not a winning enough vehicle to justify de Armas’s masterful performance.”
USA Today writes: “No need to demand a female ‘007’ or a female ‘John Wick’ anymore – just hope for another film with such a determined woman.”
The Wrap writes: “It’s a messy jumble with a tedious story, but its action scenes are often very good, and there’s a genuine sense of humor in all its strange duels to the death. This quality has long been absent from the ‘John Wick’ films, which took themselves seriously – a self-awareness of its own irrationality.”
Total Film writes: “Tonally, it’s a solid film, but one that fails to convey a deeper level of emotion – an element that arguably elevates the franchise above its counterparts. It’s a shame because the film’s action is brilliant, though its plot gives you déjà vu.” Vulture critic writes: “While ‘Ballerina‘ doesn’t begin like a ‘John Wick’ movie, it certainly ends like one.”
Empire writes: “The film’s story is a bit thin, but watching Ana de Armas punch, shoot, knife, and explode everything and everyone in her path is enjoyable. An entertaining and wicked addition to one of cinema’s best action franchises.”
The film “Ballerina” will be released on June 6, 2025.
