How Ballerina Can Secure the Future of John Wick - Video Review

      EJ Moreno discusses how Ballerina has preserved the quality of the John Wick franchise.

      Although Ballerina had a weak box office opening, it still offers hope that "From The World of John Wick" won't disappoint. Following the release of The Continental spin-off, which received backlash from fans, it seemed that expanding the John Wick universe might not yield positive results. However, Ballerina, released last week, has renewed optimism. While it may not match the top-notch production of the beloved four films that preceded it, Ballerina made enough of an impact that many are open to the idea of further explorations in this thrilling assassin realm.

      As we reflect on the weekend's performance, the numbers weren't as encouraging as many had hoped, but it's not entirely bleak. One notable outcome from this weekend was the enthusiastic defense of the film. Box office analysts employed clever statistics to suggest that the figures weren't so disappointing, and John Wick fans rallied behind the film. However, there was a faction that preferred more spin-offs rather than risking the integrity of the core narrative. It seemed like an ideal scenario for moderate success, yet it fell slightly short of that mark. It's worth noting the trend of recent films with strong audience ratings (on CinemaScore and Rotten Tomatoes) not resonating with a broader audience.

      How does Ballerina address this? By being the badass action movie that it is. Only time will reveal the film's fate, but in my in-depth review, there's a compelling argument for why this is the direction the franchise needs at this moment. You can find the review below, and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more reviews, exclusive interviews, and additional video content.

      SEE ALSO: Announcements for a John Wick sequel, animated prequel, and Donnie Yen spin-off.

      Set during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who begins her training in Ruska Roma assassin traditions.

      Ballerina is directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld) and features a cast that includes Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Norman Reedus, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Robert Maaser, David Casteñeda, and Choi Sooyoung.

      Ballerina is currently in theaters.