The name 'John Wick' has now become a proper noun symbolizing an entire genre of action. With anecdotes of its direction being so meticulous as to count every single bullet fired, the series achieved global success with its sophisticated and stylish action, setting it apart from existing action films. It went beyond a simple killer's revenge story, establishing a new standard for action movies by building a captivating world and a unique action style known as 'Gun-Fu'.
Starting with a B-movie sensibility, the John Wick series grew in stature to become a massive blockbuster with each installment. As protagonist Keanu Reeves aged, a sense of sympathy and poignancy was sometimes felt in his action scenes, but the series' vitality never waned, thanks to ardent fan support. Finally, the world of John Wick declared its expansion beyond a series into a grand universe, and its very first entry is the spinoff film, 'Ballerina'.
The original script for 'Ballerina' was said to be entirely unrelated to John Wick. However, during the production process, the crew saw the appeal and potential for expansion within the John Wick universe, and the story was revised, naturally incorporating it into the franchise. This brought the assassin organization 'Ruska Roma', to which John Wick belonged, into the background, and introduced a powerful female protagonist, 'Ana de Armas', to the forefront of this male-dominated world.
Ana de Armas, who plays the protagonist 'Eve', is an actress who has already proven her presence through various works. Her brief but intense appearance in '007 No Time to Die' left a deep impression on audiences worldwide. The elegant yet deadly action she performed in a glamorous dress was a moment that proved she had ample potential to become the next-generation action star.
Subsequently, Ana de Armas steadily built her recognition by delivering stable acting performances alongside esteemed veteran actors in films like 'Knives Out'. Despite being a highly talked-about actress, there was a lingering sense that she didn't yet have a definitive signature work. In that sense, 'Ballerina' was highly anticipated as a crucial film that could firmly mark her filmography.
However, the journey to 'Ballerina's' release was not smooth. Despite filming being completed between 2022 and 2023, feedback from internal screenings indicated that the action scenes were lacking. Consequently, extensive additional filming was conducted in 2024, which was ultimately praised as a 'godsend' that enhanced the film's quality. Indeed, the finished movie was more than sufficient to satisfy audiences in terms of both the quantity and quality of its action.
The film begins with the story of 'Eve', who loses her father to a mysterious organization in her childhood. Orphaned, she enters the 'Ruska Roma', a killer training institution disguised as a ballet academy, to seek revenge for her father. This is a place John Wick also passed through, and he makes a brief appearance early in the film, showing the connection between the worlds. Here, Eve undergoes grueling training for survival and hones her own assassination skills.
Through the harsh training process, Eve develops her own combat style. When advised to use her femininity to overcome the physical disadvantages in a fight against a man, she immediately responds in her own way by attacking her opponent's groin. In a later scene during her first mission, Korean stunt director Jung Doo-hong and Girls' Generation's Choi Sooyoung make brief appearances, delighting the Korean audience. Although their roles are small, their appearance in the John Wick universe adds significance.
Finally closing in on the truth behind the organization that killed her father, Eve embarks on her journey of revenge. The enemy she must confront is a massive organization where an entire town is composed of killers, who even raise their children to be assassins. Despite being numerically disadvantaged, Eve single-handedly dives into the enemy's den, unleashing a breathtaking revenge plot with relentless action.
As the film reaches its climax, Keanu Reeves as John Wick appears once again to complete a powerful action sequence with Eve. The action showcased by the two killers together is the ultimate gift for fans of the John Wick universe. While some have noted that the detailed fight scenes are somewhat lacking, the non-stop and diverse action provides plenty of spectacle. Given the appealing characters and the successful expansion of the universe, it's reasonable to look forward to the production of 'Ballerina 2'.
댓글
댓글 쓰기