REVIEW | ATOMIC BLONDE

Based on the graphic novel Atomic Blonde: The Coldest City by Antony Johnston and Sam Hart, Charlize Theron and James McAvoy star as spies wrestling to find a list of double agents who are being smuggled into the West as the Berlin Wall is about to collapse.

I enjoyed the fast-paced script with all its twists and turns. Both actors give the impressive, gritty performances I have come to expect from their work, but it is Charlize who really shines through the subterfuge.

There are two main things that made this film stand out. Firstly, the aesthetic for the film is beautiful–monochrome washes of stark greys, punctuated by pieces of bright clothing, the burning end of a cigarette piercing through its swirling smoke, and the moody neon hues. In this way, it reminds you of its graphic novel roots.

Secondly, the no-holds-barred fight scenes performed by Charlize were incredible, made even more so by the fact that the actress chose to perform all the stunts herself. Her character Lorraine Broughton is indeed beautiful, but at no point is she a damsel in distress. The fight scenes are violent, bloody and brutal, but as an audience member I was never under the impression that Lorraine was ever at a disadvantage to any male thug or spy. With the ability to think ten steps ahead and sheer ferocity, Lorraine Broughton is a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, a badass spy character will always lead to comparison with the most famous one of all: James Bond. Chris Hemsworth remarked to W Magazine that, “She [Charlize] scares the hell out of me and I think she can beat me up and most villains out there. She embodies every sort of ounce of strength and nobility and dignity and integrity that that character should have.”

At Comic-Con, Charlize responded with, “I’m fine with leaving that over to Daniel or Idris [Elba]—who I think would be a fricken awesome Bond—and I’ll do Lorraine.” And I wholeheartedly agree. While I am a fan, the Bond franchise has not entertained me since Casino Royale. In fact, the only moment Quantum of Solace did not bore me to death was when a bomb exploded in the movie, causing the Bond girl to fly over the bed skirt first and the man sitting next to me to exclaim, “Did I just see that girl’s vajajay!” No. The Bond franchise has gone from classic to stale and dated for me. The audience does not need a new actor to play the same spy restricted by a familiar formula and tired tropes. What we need is a modern reinvigoration of the spy genre, like the breath of fresh air that was Kingsman.

Or Atomic Blonde.

Charlize Theron impresses in this vivid, entertaining ride. Even the film’s title will tell you that she’s not a stereotypical blonde bombshell–she’s nuclear.