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ATOMIC BLONDE
Directed by David Leitch
Starring Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Sofia Boutella
Duration 115 minutes
Rating 18
DAVID Leitch’s Atomic Blondeis so satisfying, I actually wished for a second film as soon as it ended. The hyperstylised film stars Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron as an MI6 super spy on a mission to Berlin to retrieve “The List” — a full roster of Her Majesty’s active secret agents posted around the world.
Set in 1989 before the fall of the Berlin Wall, the technically-dazzling picture is worth the admission price. Every scene looks great, the action well-choreographed and the production value is impressive.
Based on Antony Johnston’s graphic novel The Coldest City, the movie opens with Theron’s Lorraine Broughton soaking in an ice-filled bathtub. Slowly emerging, her body is a tapestry of bruises.
During a briefing with her handlers, Gray (Toby Jones) and CIA Agent (John Goodman), she recalls her time meeting with partner David Percival (James McAvoy).
Pervical was Berlin’s former bureau chief, who now makes a living selling black market alcohol to young partygoers.
But Pervical has also gotten in touch with an East German operative known as Spyglas (Eddie Marsan), who commits the entire list to his memory.
Meanwhile, a double agent Satchel is lurking somewhere, hoping to get his hands on the list as well.
We hardly see Lorraine doing any spy work, except for a concealed recording device she hides on her body when she meets people who might be connected to the list.
Then she meets Dephine (Sofia Boutella), a newbie French spy, and the two quickly bond.
Leitch doesn’t seem interested in developing his characters more. Instead of providing backstories, the director leaves them running around until the intricate plot brings them together later.
But he shows off plenty of cool action scenes and jaw-dropping stuntwork. The fight scenes are beautiful, complex and often extensive (one particular fight lasted for a solid five minutes). It’s the reason why the movie is so fun to watch.
Femme fatale has a new meaning here with Theron as the badass super spy. From her piercing gaze to her unbeatable persona, she easily steals every scene she is in.
After her solid work in Mad Max: Fury Road, Theron may well be the decade’s most iconic action star, male or female.
Leitch, who co-directed John Wick with Chad Stahelski, delivered an impressive action thriller that’s every bit enjoyable and fun.
Just like James Bond, who enjoys his martini shaken not stirred, Lorraine, too, enjoys her vodka but with lots of ice cubes.
Now wouldn’t it be fun to see both of them in one movie together?