Atomic Blonde (2017)

Disappointingly Blonde and Not Nuclear Enough

I'm always on the lookout for unconventional, resilient characters. I've read every book and watched all the films in the Jason Bourne series. I’ve also gone through the Jack Reacher stories, favoring the books over the movies, and even reluctantly watched the Jessica Jones series. I love characters who are highly skilled in combat without relying on steroids or magic bullets that inexplicably miss them, while still having emotional depth. And nothing beats the espionage intensity of the Cold War era.

Of course, I had to watch the spy who wears a garter belt instead of suspenders. Atomic Blonde aims to break that mold, and my expectations are accordingly set.

Usually, Cold War spy movies feature a male protagonist in a gray trench coat, dodging, making dead drops, or plotting in windowless rooms. Women typically serve as the emotional aspect of the story. However, in the Atomic Blonde trailer, Charlize Theron fights back against the bad guys, punching and jabbering in high heels on a narrow staircase. She appears tall and lean, dressed in black, with platinum blonde hair.

The story is set ten days before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Agent Lorraine Broughton, MI6's top spy, is tasked with retrieving a list of British assets and uncovering a double agent. The plot isn't highly original.

"The plot contains holes large enough to pass through a five-inch sieve—roughly the height of Lorraine’s heels."

While I enjoy spy movies, especially one featuring a female counterpart to Jason Bourne, sadly, Atomic Blonde follows every spy genre cliché: sexual tension, insubordination, and double-crosses. The screenplay feels like a greatest hits collection of other spy films.

The final reveal that Lorraine is a double- and triple-agent CIA operative feels like a dismissive nod to Bourne and Bond. However, it seems unnecessary and unearned. The plot contains numerous holes that could easily pass through a five-inch sieve—roughly the height of Lorraine’s heels.

The script feels almost nonexistent, as if the actors were simply handed the graphic novel “The Coldest City” and asked to improvise. The characters lack depth; Lorraine comes across as intellectually dull and shows no vulnerability. She fits the stereotypical blonde trope. The dialogue is poorly crafted. For instance, when a boss says to a spy, "You’ve got MI6 so worried they called in the CIA," it’s a cliché I’ve heard many times. It’s already understood that she’s a super-spy, so there's no need to state it outright. Since movies are visual, instead of just telling, show me that she’s a super-spy.

The soundtrack stands out as the film's highlight, featuring David Bowie and 90s rock with catchy, lively beats that outweigh the story's engagement. Immediately after the movie, I purchased the CD.

My main issue with Atomic Blonde is that the script treats its characters as mere plot devices. Supporting characters show up and disappear without any real impact. The violence lacks emotional depth. While the staircase fight is skillfully choreographed, performed, and intense, the rest of the action sequences come across as low-quality imitations.

I don't regret watching it, but it's not worth the expensive movie hall price. I still hope Hollywood will eventually create a female-led spy film that prioritizes character depth as much as a stiletto as a weapon. Until then, Atomic Blonde is a visually stunning but overly loud disappointment, offering more style than substance.

Score: 2.5/ 5

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