Today somewhere in Hollywood a pyromaniac is pleased. He saw the incendiary shotguns from John Wick 4 and said Yes. More of that please. And Hollywood answered. And the pyromaniac was pleased.

Ballerina is a side quest in the John Wick universe starring the lovely Ana de Armas… and I hope her stunt doubles (otherwise, damn girl!). She is on a mission to <checks notes and realizes there was no need> to avenge her father’s death. Generic action plots for 100, Alex.

But we didn’t come for the drama, we came for the state-of-the-art bang bang. And even with Chad Stahelski stepping down and Len Wiseman stepping up, there aren’t many action beats missed. They’re just done in sexy dresses.

Len Wiseman as director worried me since he’s up an down as a super stylish action director. Ballerina is his best work and lands right in the middle of the Wick films… and on top of his own ranked list.

Ana de Armas pulls her weight… but she doesn’t exude enough personality. Not like when she was in the Bond film or even that mediocre Netflix action film (you know the one, it starred a Chris). I adore her but she wasn’t asked to do enough with her personality. But she punched, aimed, and shot well so I guess it averages out.

From a story and character standpoint, it’s weird the film is called Ballerina. de Armas plays a ballerina/protector/hit woman but the ballerina part is such an afterthought they might as well have called it Jane Wick. Something other than a title that might make big strong tough manly men avoid it.

Ballerina is a very solid, very energetic action flick that’s almost wall-to-wall exactly what it is. de Armas does a fine job but I hope if she gets a sequel, they’ll let more of her personality radiate through. And I would not mind at all a sequel… which is high praise. Also, the pyromaniac said he wants even more fire next time. Thank you.

Score: 86