Today’s quick review: Atomic Blonde. In the days surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall, British spy Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) is sent into Berlin to recover a list of undercover agents that has fallen into KGB hands. Her contact for the mission is David Percival (James McAvoy), a shady MI-6 agent with a spotty record. With the list out in the open and a Soviet double agent on the loose, Lorraine must trust no one if she wants to survive.
Atomic Blonde is an action movie with a spy plot and a hefty helping of style. Charlize Theron and James McAvoy make for a fine pair, with Theron as the cold and deadly Lorraine and McAvoy as the amiable but untrustworthy Percival. The action tends to be up close and personal, delivering the impressive stunts of cinematic fight scenes with all the weighty hits and uncertainty of a more realistic film. The plot of the film is decent and has a few good twists.
Atomic Blonde has an extra layer of craftsmanship that places it above the typical action fare. Spray paint and neon give the film a punchy visual style. The camerawork shows occasional moments of brilliance. The action sequences are well-choreographed and brutal. But where the film really shines is its 80s dance soundtrack. The song selection helps define the tone of the movie and makes the fight scenes a treat to watch.
However, Atomic Blonde falls short of its vision in a few places. Although the action is quite good, films like John Wick surpass it for creativity and impact. The film’s complicated situations and dangling clues make the plot difficult to follow. Though the story wraps up well, its emotional payoff is muted. The film also pulls its punches when it comes to style, working in just enough to set itself apart without actually taking too many chances.
Watch Atomic Blonde if you are a fan of violent, stylish action and can handle a tangled plot. Atomic Blonde does not reach the top of the action genre, but its interesting presentation and solid execution make it well worth a watch for those interested. Skip it if you prefer less graphic action, bigger stunts, or a simpler plot. For a great action movie with a complementary style, check out John Wick.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid action and impressive cinematography.