Today’s quick review: Anna. Spotted by a fashion scout, Anna (Sasha Luss) is whisked from her home in Moscow to the streets of Paris, where she quickly makes a name for herself as one of the city’s top models. But unknown to her friends and employers, Anna is actually a KGB spy who uses her career as cover to get close to her targets. Her clandestine activities soon put her in the crosshairs of Agent Leonard Miller (Cillian Murphy) of the CIA.
Anna is a spy action movie written and directed by Luc Besson. Anna follows the title character as shy plies her craft, dodges the CIA, and looks for a way out of the life imposed by her KGB handlers, Alex (Luke Evans) and Olga (Helen Mirren). The movie aims to be a violent, stylish, and steamy action flick with a dash of drama. However, its disjointed story, mediocre dialogue and acting, and limited amounts of action undermine its vision.
Anna has the most luck with its action. At its best, the action is sharp and intricate, as Anna uses guns, plates, and anything else at her disposal to take down her targets. The main issue with the action, though, is that there’s not enough of it. Anna only shows off her full talents in two scenes, and these are both found in the back half of the movie. There’s enough incidental action to keep things moving, but not enough to make Anna stand out.
Anna runs into sharper issues with its story. The plot is a jumble of flashbacks and flashforwards that typically aren’t worth the hassle, telling the audience things they could have guessed. There’s no clear plot trajectory either, just a series of missions and minor twists that eventually reach critical mass. The characters are also a miss, decent enough for an action flick but unable to bear the dramatic weight the movie wants to give them.
The result is a middling watch that never truly impresses. Anna has something to offer action fans just by virtue of what it is: a competently handled action movie with good stunts, spy elements, and the makings of an interesting plot. But the movie never comes together on the story side, and its action isn’t strong enough to pick up the slack. Those looking for a popcorn watch may want to give it a shot; critical viewers should give it a pass.
For an action movie with a similar premise, a better plot, and more style, try Atomic Blonde. For a film from Luc Besson with a similar premise and a greater emphasis on character, try La Femme Nikita. For a modern action thriller with similar elements, try Salt. For a similar flavor of action movie with a more immersive world and a heavier dose of action, try John Wick and its sequels.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for serviceable action without the story to back it up.