What Is the Story About?
The film follows Jang Ok-ju, a former bodyguard who sets out to track down a ruthless sex trafficking racket and avenge her dear friend Choi Min-hee’s death.
Performances?
Jeon Jong-seo is the one who carries the entire film on her shoulders, literally and figuratively. She is a badass woman, with moves precise, calculated and agile. She is stone-cold and her emotions are reserved only for her dear friend who died. There’s no genre the actress can’t ace, and she oozes the ruthless like never before and her screen presence is for the records. She saves the film, when the writing fails.
Analysis
Written and directed by Lee Chung-hyun, Ballerina is an action thriller that follows Ok-ju and her revenge against a vicious sex-trafficking racket that took her best-friend’s life.
Ballerina, as the name suggests isn’t based on the protagonist Ok-ju, but on her deceased friend who was a ballet dancer. The film begins with Ok-ju beating up a gang of bullies in a super-market. This action sequence establishes the protagonist as someone who is quick with her moves and also someone who would not handle injustice. She later gets a call from Choi Min-hee, her friend.
Ok-ju sees her friend dead and decides to avenge her death. Upon a little tracking, she finds the man who drove Min-hee to death. What happens in Ballerina after this is something that every other revenge tale is made of. It is one woman against the entire world, and Jeon Jong-seo’s revenge is served ice-cold. She only tears up once or may be twice, and that’s about it.
What works for Ballerina is its leading lady. She has a towering screen presence and her action is smooth and stylish. Jong-seo’s fits in the world of crime, blood and gore effortlessly and it’s a dream to watch her kick asses. But, that’s about it. Ballerina doesn’t really have much going for it apart from its colour grading, action choreography and cinematography.
The antagonist of Ballerina is as bland as a dry bread. Zero flavour, zero vigor and zero menace. Neither does the build-up towards his character serve a believable conclusion, nor is the character written with an effort. The way a revenge action thriller lands is largely dependent on the antagonist and unfortunately Ballerina lacks it. It’s almost funny that none of the men stand a chance against Ok-ju (which is fine) but imagine ducking out without even sustaining a minute?
The film is not just predictable, but too convenient to last with an emotional core that exists for the sake of it. A little more writing effort would’ve brought more gravity to Ok-ju’s revenge. In short, the film is all style and less substance. Nevertheless, the action in Ballerina is cool and slick. It boasts of some of the best action pieces in recent times and might serve to the action fanatic in you.
Other Artists?
One of the biggest quips with Ballerina is the absence of a strong supportive cast. Neither the antagonist nor his gang is menacing enough onscreen. Despite all the build-up and score, they fall short in front of how towering Jong-seo is in the film. Perhaps a better written and more menacing antagonist would’ve changed things for the film.
Music and Other Departments?
The way Ballerina is shot is exceptional. The camera work and Gray’s musical score are strong assets of the film. The action set-pieces are stylish and crisp, albeit the emotional core of Ballerina falls short big-time.
Highlights?
Jeon Jong-seo
Cinematography
Action choreography
Drawbacks?
Lacks Emotional Core
Unconvincing screenplay
Poorly written Antagonist
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, in parts. Watch it for some cool action moves.
Ballerina Movie Review by Binged Bureau
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