Ballerinareceived a strong critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, but there’s another action film premiering this summer that could be even better than theJohn Wickspinoff.TheJohn Wickfranchise is a rarityas it continues to improve with every entry. Audiences and critics celebrate each film, and the Rotten Tomatoes critic score for each film remains consistently high.
Since the first movie, the seriescontinues to raise the bar with impressive stunts and well-choreographed action sequences. They’re all wildly creative, and the same can be said forBallerina, the first spinoff film in the series. Ana de Armas has the star power and action skills needed for this series, and delivers some of the franchise’s best fight scenes.
The spinoff is one of the better action films of the year, but this summer has another assassin flick starring Bob Odenkirk that could surpass it. TheBreaking Badactor returns asan assassin turned suburban dad inNobody 2, and it could be the bestJohn Wick-style film this year.
Ballerina Was A Good Movie, Without Reaching John Wick’s Heights
Ana De Armas Could Have Used A Better Story
TheJohn Wickfilms started with a simple story. Keanu Reeves played a retired assassin who returned to the world he left for vengeance after someone killed his dog and stole his car.It’s a standard revenge tale, but each film has expanded the narrative as the assassin universe continues to grow. Still, the primary reason audiences revisit this franchise is for its inventive action scenes.
94%
89%
86%
Ballerina
76%
Ballerinagives audiences what they expect from this series, with intense scenes involving flamethrowers, ice skates, and grenades. They may not be as strong as some of thebest fight scenes from theJohn Wickfilms, but there is plenty of creative choreography and humor mixed in to make these moments memorable.
While the franchise is known for its tales of vengeance, Eve’s story didn’t feel unique, and the bland, underdeveloped villain failed to add intrigue to the plot.
However,Ballerinaisn’t as captivating as the otherJohn Wickfilms, primarily due to a lackluster story. It’s a common revenge narrative where de Armas' Eve seeks vengeance against the people who killed her father. While the franchise is known for its tales of vengeance, Eve’s story didn’t feel unique, and the bland, underdeveloped villain failed to add intrigue to the plot.
Nobody 2 Could Be An Even Better John Wick-Style Action Movie
Nobody Was A Surprise Hit In 2021
Odenkirk won over viewers with his charismatic performance as Saul Goodman inBreaking BadandBetter Call Saul. Yet, his mostsurprising role may have been as Hutch Mansell, a former assassin who left the profession to raise a family in the suburbs. Like most films with this premise, Hutch is pulled back into his old career and utilizes his previous skills to defeat a new enemy.
Nobodywas a small hit for Universal in 2021, grossing $57 million. It performed well with audiences and critics, with a critic score of 84%. Odenkirk was likable and charming in the main role, but it also included some well-directed fight scenes and impressive choreography.Nobody 2looks to continue what made the first greatin a new environment.
This time,Hutch is on vacation with his family when he stumbles into the crosshairs of a criminal organization. The trailer showcases some of theJohn Wick-esque fights mixed with the heart and humor that made the first film memorable. It may be more comedic thanBallerina, but it’s cool to see these types of fights in environments like carnivals and duck boats.
Could Nobody Ever Cross Over With The John Wick Franchise?
It’s Not Impossible
TheNobodyandJohn Wickfilms appear to take place in two different worlds. Hutch was an assassin for the government and wasn’t part of anyunderground universe of killers like inJohn WickandBallerina. However, it’s entirely possible that he could have belonged to this world before getting hired by the government and later retiring to be with his family.
Nobodydirector Ilya Naishuller addressed the crossover potential and raised the issue with the movies coming from different studios.
His return would have set off some alarm bells, meaning theJohn Wickuniverse could be aware of un-retirement. While aNobody/John Wickcrossover would be cool,the main challenge would be getting Universal and Lionsgate to agree to it. There’s a door open for either side to go through, but it would be difficult to make it work.
