.The John Wick spin off brings back the world with more of the same lore to explore, but this time it is done through the eyes of another. The film directed by Len Wiseman best known for the Underworld series, follows a young girl who looses her family at a young age. Despite her father’s wises of getting her out of the ruthless system he was suck in, after his death Eve Macarro ends up in a similar place. After training for 12 years she becomes Ruska Roma assassin and sets out to get revenge.
The film doesn’t shy away from picking up on the lore of the original series and does not waste any more time repeating the same. The makers set the tone with a flash back about how Eve ended up with the Ruska Roma after the death of her father. He wished for a life for his daughter away from all the bloodshed and death, but his death leads her right into the same world. Eve then trains for 12 years under the Director and Nogi. She also crosses paths with John Wick when he demands safe passage to Casablanca (after the death of his dog).
When asked for advice, John warns Eve to stop the path she is on and walk away, but she doesn’t and it lands them in front of one another once again, years later. The film however is focused on Eve’s journey to her past by finding out who killed her father. Unlike other films where the lead usually stumbles on to the right people, in Ballerina, as soon as she is indited into the system she goes on her own without worrying about the consequences. It soon becomes obvious she didn’t want advice from John on what to do with her life, but on how to be him, literally.
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The film’s action sequences are some of the best in the recent years for a female lead. The cinematography also keeps up with the red room vibes but without putting the leading lady at risk of looking like an eye candy. The direction is true to the purpose of its character, but in the end the story doesn’t feel complete as we only get to know about Eve’s past and not who she is. There is much to compare between the two films of the franchise, but both have different tone and goals.
Ana de Armas’ has previously proved her talent as an actress and as an action star, the film manages to maintain the two through out the run time. On the other hand, Keanu’s appearance as John Wick makes it feel like no time has turned since we last saw him in the last film. Armas also holds her space despite John Wick being on screen and keeps up with him. The film has much to offer to the fans but it isn’t anything too new or extra ordinary for the genre.
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However, it is extra ordinary for a female lead film and deserves to be praised for the same.
Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India