‘Ballerina’ Review: Ana De Armas Leads A Fun But Frustrating From ‘The World Of John Wick’ Spin-Off
“From the World of John Wick: Ballerina” makes most sense when viewed as intellectual property first and a work of art second. Even the film’s title bears the scars of being optimized within an inch of its life to ensure brand association. The presence of Keanu Reeves’ hitman feels particularly shoehorned into the plot through reshoots overseen by the original series’ director, Chad Stahelski.
There are flashes of filmmaking finesse that made “John Wick” an increasing rarity in Hollywood: a hit theatrical franchise generated from an entirely original idea.
