Jane Wick at 1989 Berlin? — “Atomic Blonde” Review
“The result is hardly a classic, but it’s a damn fine action movie — it works.” — Ty Burr, Boston Globe
Directed by David Leitch (co-director of “John Wick” movies), “Atomic Blonde” is an action spy thriller film based on Antony Johnston and Sam Hart’s 2012 graphic novel “The Coldest City”. The story revolves around Agent Lorraine Broughton (played by Charlize Theron), who is sent to Berlin to take down an espionage ring jeopardizing the West’s entire intelligence operation, shortly before the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Stunning action, but confusing story
“Atomic Blonde may be high in empty calories, but craftsmanship of this level is rare and exhilarating, and worth surviving some muddled plotting to appreciate” — Scott Tobias, NPR
Mr. Leitch, who started as a stunt coordinator, has risen to be one of the best directors in action category. With years of hands-on experience, he has mastered the art of producing brute spectacle and jaw-dropping stunt-work with limited budget (both “John Wick” and “Atomic Blonde” are made with around $30 million). In several single-shot scenes, well-planned choreography between actors and cameramen is employed to provide bourne-style combat scenes that will make you hold your breath.
Ms. Theron, who also starred in “Monster” and “Mad Max: Fury Road”, has received wide critical and audience acclaim for portraying both physically and mentally powerful female characters. Started her acting career by playing mostly female love interests, Ms. Theron has fought her way out to be among few actresses who can carry a movie on her own.
As collaboration between an experienced team lead by Mr. Leitch and strong female lead Ms. Theron who did most stunts herself, “Atomic Blonde” definitely delivers in terms of action. However, the storytelling almost ruined the latter half of the movie by trying to be more complicated than “John Wick” (also directed by Leitch), while not able to sorting out what characters are trying to do in the plot. Lack of clear plot development makes the movie hard to follow in last 40 minutes, and a bunch of characters with confusing purposes to audience might be worst nightmare for a spy movie.
Great world building, leaving room for sequels
“Should this be a series, audiences can look back on Atomic Blonde as the erratic-but-on-to-something near miss that it is, in the way that 007 fans honor Dr. No but acknowledge Goldfinger was where the franchise really took flight.” — Alonso Duralde, TheWrap
“Atomic Blonde” successfully set up a fictional yet convincing late cold war environment. With most film shooting done in Budapest and Berlin, the movie shows sharp contrast between East and West Berlin, and smartly combine physical environments with combat scenes to tell a cold war story through action. (Mild spoiler) my favorite scene is the fight inside a movie theater in East Berlin, where characters punch each other in front of a film screen with some propoganda clip playing, while we audience watching. Kind of meta?
Strong rumors are heard that sequels to “Atomic Blonde” are in development, which I think will do the already-built fiction world justice. We have great actors like John Goodman, Toby Jones and James Faulkner (playing Randyll Tarly in Game of Thrones) in this movie as side characters on the same team as Ms. Theron’s Lorraine, but their back stories were never explored.
Final Score: B+
If you love a great action movie and don’t mind getting somewhat confused for the last half hour, this one is for you.
About the Author:
Roger Zhu is a PhD student studying Mechanical Engineering at University of Virginia. His research focus on biomechanics and fluid dynamics behind fish swimming. During his leisure time, he enjoys watching movies (obviously) and playing all kinds of instruments.
