The John Wick universe has found a new leading assassin in Ana de Armas, and early viewers are already calling her film Ballerina a total knockout.Ahead of its US premiere, Ballerina also starring Keanu Reeves, is drawing widespread praise on social media, with fans declaring it the “perfect summer action blockbuster.” Directed by Len Wiseman, the spin-off is set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Chapter 4, and follows Eve Macarro (de Armas), a deadly assassin on a vengeful mission against those responsible for her family’s destruction.Twitter has been flooded with glowing reactions from fans and early reviewers alike. From praising the film’s slick action to the high-stakes plot, impressive performances all within the familiar world of John Wick, the film has fans raving about the new spin-off. One fan posted, “FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK comes #BALLERINA, a slick-paced, bloody brutal action-extravaganza that strips the series back to its basics… Ana De Armas is a powerhouse.”Another echoed the sentiment, writing, “Not into the idea of spin-offs usually, but #Ballerina works sooo well because of how incredible Ana de Armas is phenominal … the film of the summer.”Fans also applauded the film’s innovative action set-pieces, particularly praising de Armas’ commanding presence. “Ana de Armas proves good things (& more importantly badass things) come in small packages,” one fan tweeted. “The action sequences are wildly innovative. The John Wick franchise doesn’t miss.”A standout scene involving a flamethrower even earned special mention from an excited viewer, “There’s a flamethrower scene… never seen anything like it before.”De Armas wasn’t the only one drawing praise — Keanu Reeves and Norman Reedus were also singled out for their impactful roles. One reviewer noted, “Keanu Reeves and Norman Reedus make the most of their moments. I had a blast with this one.”Still, not all reviews were uncritical. One viewer pointed out, “#Ballerina (ironically) takes a bit to find its footing but once it does, it becomes a highly entertaining action flick. Ana de Armas is a fantastic lead… It lacks some of the panache of the best JW films but is still a worthy spin-off.”Check out some honest reviews below: The film debuted with a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a strong start and solid potential at the summer box office.Adding to the buzz, Ana’s rumoured partner Tom Cruise joined the promotional wave, sharing a photo on Instagram of himself posing in front of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Ballerina posters. “Your mission, should you choose to accept it: a weekend of action on the big screen,” he wrote, giving both blockbusters a high-octane push.Ballerina officially hits theatres later this week, and if early reactions are any indication, Ana de Armas may have just danced her way into action movie history.
