From the World of John Wick: Ballerina

[Jasmine]

Last night, I watched this movie for third time in three nights. Though John Wick makes a brief appearance early in the movie and is instrumental in the outcome, the movie is not about him, but it is every bit as good as the John Wick movies Their connection is made through Ruska Roma.

I am a veteran of many action movies produced by nations all over the world, but this movie contains an action sequence that I’ve seen before, is done exquisitely, and is so realistic that I have to wonder how they didn’t kill some of the actors when producing it.

If you like movies like the John Wick franchise, then you simply have to see this one.

[LurkMeister]

I saw it recently and was also impressed. I’m almost hoping that they do a sequel, which was sort of set up by the ending.

[Yodalicious]

Agreed. If you like the John Wick movies, and I do, then you’ll like Ballerina, and I did.

I’m glad they showed her training as it gave a glimpse of what John must have gone through. In fact, a young John Wick movie is a prequel I could actually go for.

Which action scene were you referring to?

[Jasmine]

@Yodalicious

Which action scene were you referring to?

Summary

The flame thrower duel! It was amazing as well as the flame thrower scenes that led up to it.

[Yodalicious]

Yeah, that’s what I figured. Great scenes.

[Mahaloth]

Great movie. I’ve seen it twice and agree about the insane action sequence you referenced. It looked well beyond what CGI could do.

[DCnDC]

The best thing they’ve done with the series is zoom out on the world a little wider every time.

[DPRK]

@DCnDC

The best thing they’ve done with the series is zoom out on the world a little wider every time.

Eh, as much as I love John Wick and awesome cinematography, I have always felt the film stood on its own and did not need sequels any more than did The Matrix. I will grant you John’s original backstory was rudimentarily prosaic, but did this legendary figure need a retcon?

                                         VIGGO (CONT'D)
                His name is John Wick...
                    (smirks at the memory)
                ...and when he was fifteen, he lied
                his way into the marines and headed
                off to Vietnam. He specialized in
                force-oriented reconnaissance,
                meaning he often crossed over into
                enemy territory to both collect
                information and -should the
                opportunity present itself- fuck
                with the enemy in whatever way that
                he saw fit.
                     
                     
                       

                John earned four hundred and
                seventeen confirmed kills over the
                course of his five tours. The
                majority of those were done by
                hand, by blade, and by small
                caliber... which is unheard of.
                     
                     

                                                                  
                It got to him, though. Hell... How
                could it not? Even though he won
                every military distinction on
                record, including the Medal of Honor---

                -John was eventually discharged -
                with high honors, of course- and
                found himself in the city...
                     

                ...lookin' for work.

[Son_of_a_Rich]

The thread title makes it look like John Wick was the ballerina, which would be hilarious.

[Asuka]

I like Ballerina more than any of the actual John Wick sequels. If Ballerina was standalone I think it would be seen as one of the best action movies of the decade though it suffers from “John Wick fatigue” from the general audience.

[Jasmine]

Well, that’s the movie title exactly. LOL

[solost]

@DPRK

I will grant you John’s original backstory was rudimentarily prosaic, but did this legendary figure need a retcon?

                                         VIGGO (CONT'D)
                His name is John Wick...
                    (smirks at the memory)
                ... and when he was fifteen, he lied
                his way into the marines and headed
                off to Vietnam. He specialized in
                force-oriented reconnaissance

Where does that script quote come from-- Is that from the original John Wick movie? I know the John Wick movies are basically a fantasy world where 90% of the population are assassins, so not exactly historically accurate, but I don’t get how that timeline could possibly work out. As far as I know, the movie took place in our current time-- that is, it came out in 2014 and was supposed to take place in that year. But Keanu Reeves is almost exactly my age, within a few days. I was 9 when the Vietnam War ended.

[Asuka]

It must be the original script, since the film was originally going to star a much older actor who was retired from the assassin game due to age.

[solost]

Ah, makes sense. Thanks.

[Mahaloth]

@Asuka

I like Ballerina more than any of the actual John Wick sequels. If Ballerina was standalone I think it would be seen as one of the best action movies of the decade though it suffers from “John Wick fatigue” from the general audience.

I thought John Wick 4 was the best of the series, but agree that Ballerina was probably better than 2 and 3, maybe even 1?

[DPRK]

@solost

Where does that script quote come from-- Is that from the original John Wick movie?

Yes, it was the first hit which appears to be an undated version by Derek Kolstad: https://imsdb.com/scripts/John-Wick.html , but the quoted text seems to be identical to the 2012 version (still titled “Scorn”): John Wick (AKA-Scorn) (Derek Kolstad) (6.11.2012).pdf (PDFy mirror) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive https://www.sellingyourscreenplay.com/wp-content/uploads/screenplay/scripts/John-Wick.pdf

@solost

I don’t get how that timeline could possibly work out. As far as I know, the movie took place in our current time-- that is, it came out in 2014 and was supposed to take place in that year. But Keanu Reeves is almost exactly my age, within a few days. I was 9 when the Vietnam War ended.

The same thing crossed my mind— we have to assume John Wick, the character, was supposed to be a decade or so older than Keanu Reeves was at the time, or you are.

[solost]

@DPRK

we have to assume John Wick, the character, was supposed to be a decade or so older than Keanu Reeves was at the time, or you are.

I feel a decade older sometimes

[DigitalC]

I watched this when it came out and very much enjoyed it. I liked that there was zero pretense that she was on John Wick’s level.

[Alessan]

@DigitalC

I liked that there was zero pretense that she was on John Wick’s level.

But also it hinted that she could be, one day.

[Jophiel]

My wife and I watched it tonight and liked it. I almost, and perhaps am committing heresy, thought it had a little too much of Wick in it just because I wanted to see if it’d stand on its own. All in all I thought it did an admirable job. It did have its usual John Wick silliness both in improbable action and in plot but I liked it. My own ranking is 1, 2, 4/Ballerina (tied), 3. 3 is still watchable but started to go into farce in my opinion.

Anjelica Huston should have responded to the threat of war on the Ruska Roma with “Uh, ok, but one of our ballerina assassins just killed like seventy of your dudes so I’m not sure why you want me to send ten more ballerina assassins”