← Back to Reviews
in
Atomic Blonde
Atomic Bland.
This was quite the let-down. Even with lowered expectations this exercise in action lost its traction early on with some writing that seemed to secretly plot to kill the story right from the get-go...
Rarely have I seen an action spy-thriller be so bland; dragging itself across the floor instead of doing so with the several henchmen that drench the floor - hench, there’s a lot of violence here too, but blood nor body count can wholeheartedly save this pulse-less story. Some of the action is really well-done though - intense and inventive - but the flashback-style storytelling doesn’t work in the favor of the film at all.
The visual side of things feels like a super-sized showreel for action and neon-lighting but becomes monotonous and maddening instead of measured and mesmerizing. Instead of hitting you in the face with a possible power-punch of picturesque proportions - which it seems to aim for - it instead seems like a hugely annoying fly that just keeps circling your face for 2 hours straight. The visuals are so on the nose that it breaks it and is in heavy need of bandages... and maybe a shot of vodka to lessen the pain and help this movie go down easier.
The “one take” was nice though and went on for far longer than I expected. That and what followed was definitely the best thing in this film. The sound mix was good but to me the soundtrack was hugely annoying a lot of the time.
There is not much to be platonic about when it comes to this atomic blonde and forming a proper bond with the characters is double oh-so-hard to do. I’m very fond of well-executed action, but this just seems like it tries too hard for too long. The director’s “better half”, Chad Stahelski, got it right with John Wick... In David Leitch’ hands alone that movie would have turned into John Wack, just saying.
Atomic Bland.
This was quite the let-down. Even with lowered expectations this exercise in action lost its traction early on with some writing that seemed to secretly plot to kill the story right from the get-go...
Rarely have I seen an action spy-thriller be so bland; dragging itself across the floor instead of doing so with the several henchmen that drench the floor - hench, there’s a lot of violence here too, but blood nor body count can wholeheartedly save this pulse-less story. Some of the action is really well-done though - intense and inventive - but the flashback-style storytelling doesn’t work in the favor of the film at all.
The visual side of things feels like a super-sized showreel for action and neon-lighting but becomes monotonous and maddening instead of measured and mesmerizing. Instead of hitting you in the face with a possible power-punch of picturesque proportions - which it seems to aim for - it instead seems like a hugely annoying fly that just keeps circling your face for 2 hours straight. The visuals are so on the nose that it breaks it and is in heavy need of bandages... and maybe a shot of vodka to lessen the pain and help this movie go down easier.
The “one take” was nice though and went on for far longer than I expected. That and what followed was definitely the best thing in this film. The sound mix was good but to me the soundtrack was hugely annoying a lot of the time.
There is not much to be platonic about when it comes to this atomic blonde and forming a proper bond with the characters is double oh-so-hard to do. I’m very fond of well-executed action, but this just seems like it tries too hard for too long. The director’s “better half”, Chad Stahelski, got it right with John Wick... In David Leitch’ hands alone that movie would have turned into John Wack, just saying.