Film ● Mini-Review: Ballerina

English Title: Ballerina

Korean Title: 발레리나

Director(s): Lee Chung-hyun

Screenwriter(s): Lee Chung-hyun

Released: 2023

Runtime: 1h 33m

● Jang Ok-ju (Jeon Jong-seo) is a bodyguard. At the death of her best friend Choi Min-hee (Park Yu-rim), who is a ballerina, Ok-ju discovers that Min-hee was somehow involved with an individual in the criminal underworld, so Ok-ju goes after this individual.

● Although the film features a young female lead, I include it since she goes after the bad guys alone and the film is a new release. It is not action-packed, nor is it meant to be. As a revenge film, it can definitely use a little more action.

● The treatment of the friendship between Ok-ju and Min-hee takes the less-is-more approach, only showing glimpses. In my opinion, this minimalist approach works and avoids total cheesiness.

● It is nicely shot, playing with more atypical camera angles initially. It is mostly well-edited with the exception of a few moments. It is well-produced with solid lead performances that partially make up for its weaknesses.

●

This mini-review is part of the collection for Taken clones and derivatives.

Click here for a longer review.

Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list so you get each new Opinyun that comes out!