Undercover MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron – Fate of the Furious, A Million Ways to Die in the West) is sent to Berlin during the closing days of the Cold War to investigate the murder of fellow agent James Gasciogne (Sam Hargrave), and recover a missing list of double agents.
Atomic Blonde tells its story in two parallel threads, one being the present day mission debriefing held back home, with Chief “C” (James Faulkner – Underworld: Blood Wars), Emmett Kurzfeld (John Goodman – Transformers: The Last Knight, Kong: Skull Island) and Eric Gray (Toby Jones – Morgan, Alice Through the Looking Glass).
The other story thread is set a short time in the past, and the events of the film that took place back in the GDR. Here we follow as Lorraine has her rude awakening, having to deal with a place close to anarchy, and ruled by the relentless Stasi. Her contact there is the seemingly rogue David Percival (James McAvoy – Split, X-Men: Apocalypse), who seems to know everyone, both good and bad. And the exotic looking Delphine Lasalle (Sofia Boutella – The Mummy, Star Trek Beyond), on her first mission for French Intelligence.
From the opening moments of the film, there is a relentless pace of action, tension, fights and chases. All accompanied by the musical soundtrack of the time, with pounding beats and nostalgic tracks. And not forgetting the background events of the on-going push by the free world to tear down the Berlin Wall, and that symbol of oppression.
Cinematically, the films style matches its mood and soundtrack, in colour and tone. The fight sequences are bone crushingly real, with long takes that languish on each blow. Couple this with thrilling story, played out by an ensemble of talented actors, and you get a mix that is just right for a fast paced film competing in today’s world, but still managing to bring back the nostalgia of several decades past.
Atomic Blonde is what an action film should aspire to, with thrills, fights, good story, talented acting, and rounding it all off to present a movie experience that can be enjoyed by all.
Atomic Blonde opens 18 August 2017 in South African cinemas.
