Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: September 9, 2025
Rating: R
Film: 3.5/5
PlotThe next chapter from the World of John Wick follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma. Eve seeks revenge for her father’s death, and finds herself crossing paths with John Wick himself (Keanu Reeves).
My ThoughtsBallerina (2025), directed by Len Wiseman, dives into the John Wick mythos with Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a young ballerina trained in the deadly arts of the Ruska Roma, seeking vengeance for her family's murder. Set between
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and
Chapter 4, the story weaves in familiar faces like Winston (Ian McShane), Charon (Lance Reddick in his final role), and a brief Keanu Reeves cameo as Wick himself.
De Armas shines as Eve, blending grace and ferocity in balletic fight scenes that echo the series' gun-fu style. Then again, I may be biased because I’d pay good money to watch De Armas to read the phone book. Regardless, the chemistry between her and Norman Reedus' mentor figure adds emotional weight, while Anjelica Huston's Director provides icy authority. The special effects, a mix of practical stunts and CGI, hold up well, with fluid choreography in neon-lit showdowns. Fans will spot Easter eggs nodding to the Wick films, like subtle Continental references and weapon homages. While not a deep story, it’s fun to watch and is a nice way to check out for the evening.
Lionsgate's Blu-ray delivers a pristine 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer in 2.39:1, sourced from a 4K digital intermediate. The video quality is flawless, with razor-sharp detail in close-ups—de Armas' expressive features and intricate costume textures pop. Colors are vibrant and accurate, from the warm ballet studio hues to the cool, neon-drenched underworld, with no banding or artifacts. Black levels are inky deep, enhancing shadowy assassinations, and the image maintains a cinematic film-like grain without softness. Unfortunately, I forgot to request the 4K in a timely manner and there were none available by the time I got my request in, so it looks like I’ll be getting this in 4K at some point in the future.
The Dolby Atmos track is a sonic powerhouse, perfectly suited to the film's high-octane sequences. Dialog remains crystal-clear amid the chaos, while the height channels create an immersive overhead layer for raining bullets and soaring scores. The surrounds envelop the listener with directional precision—footsteps echoing in halls, gunfire ricocheting—and the foundation-shaking bass delivers visceral impact during explosions and hand-to-hand combat. This is reference-quality audio that elevates every fight, making the Atmos mix a standout even in quieter moments.
Video 5/5
Audio 5/5 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features:
- The Making of Ballerina
- Building a frozen Underworld
- The Art of Action
- Deleted & Extended Scenes
- Digital Code
ConclusionBallerina on Blu-ray is a technically impeccable release, with flawless video and reference-quality Dolby Atmos audio that immerse you in the
John Wick world. The film earns a respectable score as a fun, action-packed spin-off buoyed by de Armas' performance, though it doesn't fully escape franchise familiarity. Regardless, if you’re a fan of the Wick universe, you owe it to yourself to see this film and it’s definitely worth a purchase.
Reference Review System:JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized
Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
5 Replies
777 Views