Atomic Blonde

2014 gave us John Wick, an action film that embraced its simplicity in the most efficient of ways with a strict running time and some of the best action scenes to grace the genre this decade. It was quick, it was brutal but you could also see what was going on through the use of wide angles and long running takes. It was refreshing to see and was a clear influence for 2017's Atomic Blonde, starring Charlize Theron as the British agent in 1980s Berlin. The aim of the game for Theron's agent, sporting a Joanna Lumley accent of sorts, is to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and retrieve a list that could endanger the lives of active double agents.

From the man who produced John Wick and helped choreograph the stunts for the Bourne series among many other action films, David Leitch seemed like the right man for the job. The action is fast and gritty, there's added suspense with an espionage angle and it's completed with a very 1980s soundtrack. The elements are all there and there's no denying Theron's commitment to the role who keeps the story moving as the action lead but there is something missing at the heart of Atomic Blonde. The film tries to be part Kill Bill, John le Carre and James Bond all at once, which made it hard to truly engage with.

To Leitch's credit, the cast that also includes James McAvoy, John Goodman, Sofia Boutella, Eddie Marsan and Toby Jones all turn in strong performances. When the action kicks-off it is exciting and continues to ramp up towards the end in a thrilling chase sequence. It's relentless and full of excitement, and also like John Wick, it is easy to follow what is going on. I just wish a film like this had a more engaging plot to keep the film's momentum running to the end when the twists and turns start to matter less and less.

Coming close to two hours, it's unfortunate that a film with well-edited action sequences could have benefited with some editing in the writing room. Atomic Blonde isn't perfect but it is entertaining and will satisfy anyone looking for a dcent action flick nonetheless.