ATOMIC BLONDE review
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Atomic Blonde is a 2017 spy film directed by David Leitch, released by Focus Features. Starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy, with Kurt Johnstad of John Wick writing. It's based on the 2012 OGN The Coldest City by Antony Johnston and Sam Hart, published by Oni Press. It was met with a mixed critical reception and invariably saw hatred from the types who'll doomsay any movie with a badass female lead who makes them question their manhood. See, this is why I don't play the machismo game--because I know I dig powerful women characters in film, so I don't have to act like that dumbass who bullies the girl he has a crush on because he doesn't like feeling things for her. And if that's something you'd like to see more of, I suggest you check this out if you haven't already.
Atomic Blonde is such an aesthetically pleasing film. Everyone talks up how neon-drenched it is, because it executes this style so goddamn well. You usually expect a level of polish with Hollywood fare, but even with that in mind it is still wonderful to look at. The music is also phenomenal, with a mix of licensed tracks from the time (which are used to elevate scenes rather than as random pop culture fodder) and an original score. The original score is full of pumping synth, it's the kinda stuff I'd listen to outside of the film too. There is a fight scene ~20 minutes in which uses the fabled Wilhelm scream and it almost becomes a live-action cartoon at that point, but it works because the gag is funny if you know what they're doing because it's so unexpected, and if you don't then you won't notice.
The narrative gets a little convoluted by the end of it, with fall guys for fall guys and quadruple+ crosses, but it all makes sense in the end and it's compelling enough. You never know who's playing who, and that's what you want from a spy thriller like this, innit? The dialogue is mostly just solid, with some lines standing out as especially clever and inspired. The characters are mostly pretty straightforward, but with a central lead this good, who needs the rest? Theron's character is, on paper, your standard spy who has a hard life and whose every flame dies. But in practice, she is the quintessential ice queen. More on that later, since there are some other characters worth mentioning. McAvoy's is clever, charming, and suspicious (again, more on him later). Sofia Boutella plays an enigmatic character who you come to empathize with by the end. The pacing is a tad iffy, I wasn't sold until maybe the 30 or so minute mark. It's about 2 hours long, so do be warned if you're the "too long" type. I don't think it wastes time on bullshit or anything, though, but it only ramps up a little while in, in my experience.
The acting is pretty great here. Charlize makes every scene hers--delivering convincing fights, ice cold one-liners, and every other staple of spy leads with pinpoint accuracy. She owns her sexuality fiercely as well, which is kinda necessary if you're going to do a film about a femme fatale protagonist. Otherwise it's super tacky. McAvoy can do no wrong, this guy is always so hammy and yet he always fits his role too (he damn near made Victor Frankenstein watchable). Perfect for his role. Then we have the action, which is a little disappointing if you were expecting something more John Wick and less Bourne. It's pretty cool, mostly thanks to Theron KILLING IT, but I was expecting white knuckled cannon fodder fights which never came. And what is a spy film without a saucy romance? Damn is this an arousing watch. Not because it's badass Charlize Theron or who it's with. Okay, it 110% is, but it's pretty neat to see such a romance handled rather well and rather sensuously in such a high profile release. That scene is handled so well that there are (metaphorical) fireworks. It's almost European how in touch Atomic Blonde is with sexuality, prudes be damned. (after writing this, I looked it up and that scene appears to have been popular among the intended audience, which is nice)
If you're expecting neon John Wick with Charlize Theron and that's all you want from this, you will be disappointed. I came in looking for that but came out enjoying it all the same. If it weren't for Theron or another god-tier actress, this could've been a pretty meh film. As is, it's a damn fun one worth seeing at least once if you can dig it. I'm in love with the knowledge that I'll get to see the sequel, too, even if this was a satisfyingly self-contained watch. Atomic Blonde gets an 8.5/10.
Great
Summary:
Badass, gorgeous, hot. A pretty damn enjoyable ride all around, even if it has its flaws.
Atomic Blonde is a 2017 spy film directed by David Leitch, released by Focus Features. Starring Charlize Theron and James McAvoy, with Kurt Johnstad of John Wick writing. It's based on the 2012 OGN The Coldest City by Antony Johnston and Sam Hart, published by Oni Press. It was met with a mixed critical reception and invariably saw hatred from the types who'll doomsay any movie with a badass female lead who makes them question their manhood. See, this is why I don't play the machismo game--because I know I dig powerful women characters in film, so I don't have to act like that dumbass who bullies the girl he has a crush on because he doesn't like feeling things for her. And if that's something you'd like to see more of, I suggest you check this out if you haven't already.
Atomic Blonde is such an aesthetically pleasing film. Everyone talks up how neon-drenched it is, because it executes this style so goddamn well. You usually expect a level of polish with Hollywood fare, but even with that in mind it is still wonderful to look at. The music is also phenomenal, with a mix of licensed tracks from the time (which are used to elevate scenes rather than as random pop culture fodder) and an original score. The original score is full of pumping synth, it's the kinda stuff I'd listen to outside of the film too. There is a fight scene ~20 minutes in which uses the fabled Wilhelm scream and it almost becomes a live-action cartoon at that point, but it works because the gag is funny if you know what they're doing because it's so unexpected, and if you don't then you won't notice.
The narrative gets a little convoluted by the end of it, with fall guys for fall guys and quadruple+ crosses, but it all makes sense in the end and it's compelling enough. You never know who's playing who, and that's what you want from a spy thriller like this, innit? The dialogue is mostly just solid, with some lines standing out as especially clever and inspired. The characters are mostly pretty straightforward, but with a central lead this good, who needs the rest? Theron's character is, on paper, your standard spy who has a hard life and whose every flame dies. But in practice, she is the quintessential ice queen. More on that later, since there are some other characters worth mentioning. McAvoy's is clever, charming, and suspicious (again, more on him later). Sofia Boutella plays an enigmatic character who you come to empathize with by the end. The pacing is a tad iffy, I wasn't sold until maybe the 30 or so minute mark. It's about 2 hours long, so do be warned if you're the "too long" type. I don't think it wastes time on bullshit or anything, though, but it only ramps up a little while in, in my experience.
The acting is pretty great here. Charlize makes every scene hers--delivering convincing fights, ice cold one-liners, and every other staple of spy leads with pinpoint accuracy. She owns her sexuality fiercely as well, which is kinda necessary if you're going to do a film about a femme fatale protagonist. Otherwise it's super tacky. McAvoy can do no wrong, this guy is always so hammy and yet he always fits his role too (he damn near made Victor Frankenstein watchable). Perfect for his role. Then we have the action, which is a little disappointing if you were expecting something more John Wick and less Bourne. It's pretty cool, mostly thanks to Theron KILLING IT, but I was expecting white knuckled cannon fodder fights which never came. And what is a spy film without a saucy romance? Damn is this an arousing watch. Not because it's badass Charlize Theron or who it's with. Okay, it 110% is, but it's pretty neat to see such a romance handled rather well and rather sensuously in such a high profile release. That scene is handled so well that there are (metaphorical) fireworks. It's almost European how in touch Atomic Blonde is with sexuality, prudes be damned. (after writing this, I looked it up and that scene appears to have been popular among the intended audience, which is nice)
If you're expecting neon John Wick with Charlize Theron and that's all you want from this, you will be disappointed. I came in looking for that but came out enjoying it all the same. If it weren't for Theron or another god-tier actress, this could've been a pretty meh film. As is, it's a damn fun one worth seeing at least once if you can dig it. I'm in love with the knowledge that I'll get to see the sequel, too, even if this was a satisfyingly self-contained watch. Atomic Blonde gets an 8.5/10.
Great
Summary:
Badass, gorgeous, hot. A pretty damn enjoyable ride all around, even if it has its flaws.
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