A Kickass Spin-Off from John Wick: 'Ballerina'

'Ballerina' is an engaging spin-off from the 'John Wick' franchise with Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), as the central figure. A trained assassin in Ruska Roma traditions, Eve is given an iconic advice by her trainer Nogi (Sharon Duncan-Brewster): "Fight like a girl." This phrase encapsulates all the female action fantasies that have been popular in cinema over the years, such as Batgirl's elegant combat style in 'Batman' to movies like 'La Femme Nikita' and 'Wonder Woman'.

In a twist, however, Eve doesn't fight 'like a girl', but with raw brutality reminiscent of John Wick himself. From using pistols and machine guns to kitchen utensils and flame-throwers, Eve's fighting style is unapologetically vicious, breaking the stereotype of feminine combat.

Ana de Armas is captivating as Eve, replicating Wick's tranquility amidst the gruesome violence. The plotline, although trashy, fulfills its purpose -- a revenge saga against the warriors who killed her father. The entire second half is a violent showdown in a secret Middle European village where the culprits reside. As the climax unfolds, a mystery killer who could tip the scales joins the game.

In conclusion, 'Ballerina', while not elevating the 'John Wick' franchise, stands out as a worthy spin-off. It emphasizes that fighting 'like a girl' or 'like a guy' need not differ significantly -- they all fight with the intensity of a video game, and Ana de Armas does an excellent job of showcasing this.