Action movies come in many flavors, but the John Wick franchise comes in one: fast-paced and bloody. The world of hitmen (and women) and the Baba Yaga is not for everyone but for its fans, it is amazing! Ballerina follows Eve (Ana de Armas) as she is recruited and trained by the Ruska Roma organization after assassins kill her father.
The training is brutal, and not all fighting and shooting. Under the watchful eye of the Ruska Roma’s Director (Anjelica Huston), Eve practices her ballet moves between shooting and martial arts sessions. Despite the blood and sweat, Eve never gives up.
The why behind her dedication is the true basis for the film: revenge!
The storyline is filled with extraordinary fight scenes choreographed expertly as Eve bulldozes her way toward her objective, the head of another assassin organization, The Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne). Like the organization that runs Eve, the opposition is very good at what they do.
I want to say that the film has a strong well-defined plot, but revenge shouldn’t be the end-all, should it? Well, in between the bloody gun battles, the bloody knife fights, the hand-to-hand bruhahas, and a great sequence with flame throwers, revenge seems to work here. I had fun watching this film, so sue me!
I own the first four films, and I will be adding this one to my collection when it arrives on home video.
Director: Len Wiseman
Cast: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves
MPAA Rating: R (for strong/bloody violence throughout, and language)
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Runtime: 125 Min.
Release Date: 06/06/2025
Language: English
Genre: Action/Thriller
Movie Site: BALLERINA Official Site
Trailer: BALLERINA Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.