Atomic Blonde: Review

The only useful thing I got out of Atomic Blonde is that I really need to get around to finally watching Stalker.
Despite a sleek and sexy aesthetic, a strong lead performance from Charlize Theron, a fun soundtrack, and TWO outstanding one-take action sequences, I found the great majority of Atomic Blonde to be pretty unremarkable. Which really sucks for me as this was one of my most anticipated films of the summer. John Wick comparisons are pretty misguided, this film is more of a period piece espionage thriller than it is a straight-up action film. But at least the John Wick films managed to pack their narratives full of personality and emotional tension.
That is really my biggest gripe with this film, I didn't feel a damn thing for anyone or anything. The plot felt convoluted yet somehow underwritten, as did every character. I found my attention fleeting far too many times over the course of the film.
Atomic Blonde lacks the stakes, intrigue, and entertainment that it needs to warrant its awfully paced 115-minute runtime. It's not without its good (and even some great) qualities but in the end, I have to reflect on this film as a colossal disappointment. It's certainly worth a watch, especially given that it already has an intense fan base but for me, it all felt unsatisfyingly cold and shallow. (5.5/10)

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