Review of Atomic Blonde (2017) by Blake M — 20 Aug 2017

Style over substance is a phrase used for many films, and maybe should be said for this film aswell. While perfectly styled, shot and amazing choreography on the many fight and action set pieces. It is the story that manages to let the whole film down, being very convoluted and full of too many twists, that are A) Unnecessary and B) Seemingly impossible to fully grasp. I saw this movie a week ago and was still unsure what many of the characters actual aims were in this movie.

As always, Charlize Theron is excellent, looking stunning and gorgeous as well as terrifying and holding her own in numerous fights and battles. James Maccavoy also puts on an excellent performance as a rather disgusting and unlikable fellow spy.

The story, set in Berlin during the fall of the wall, is essentially a typical spy thriller, with a list of code names of spies being stolen away from an agent, Charlize Theron's character is sent into the heart of a turbulent Berlin to meet up with James McAvoy to find and return these codes. The main bulk of the story is set within Berlin, however, flashback (or flashforwards) show Charlize Theron's character being interviewed by Toby Jones and John Goodman, and although these are well acted scenes with some of the finest actors around at the moment, it's these scenes that seem to bog the rest of the movie down. Too much time is spent dragging us viewers out of the action for a five minute debate scene within an interview room. While this film was stylised and advertised as an action packed thrill ride, it is more of an intense spy thriller, especially by the messy third act.

Another divisive part of the film is the music and how it takes a place within the movie. While other films this summer such as Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 and Baby Driver have utilised music perfectly to fit into the film, Atomic Blonde's music choices seem rather odd. Having them blaring out so loud that the scene feels too bloated and awkward, or having the music appear in places where it doesn't really fit. By the 30 minute mark you will already find the constant barrage of 80's pop and disco music too much, I certainly did.

Overall this is a pretty messy film, with many flaws in the plotting and styled choices. But does have some of the best action scenes seen this year in film, almost to John Wick levels of action. It's just a shame it's hidden inside a plot trying to be to smart.