Movie Review: Atomic Blonde is a female force to be reckoned with
There isn't a better time for a movie like Atomic Blonde, where we get a strong female protagonist who looks fabulously cool while kicking butt.
Charlize Theron, like Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, is at ease taking charge in the company of men.
Theron has demonstrated her ability to play a steely femme fatale in the Snow White movies, but it was 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road that saw the Oscar winner turn into an action heroine.
Many have likened her latest spy character, Lorraine, to that of James Bond, Jason Bourne and even John Wick - after all, director David Leitch was a co-director for the Keanu Reeves action vehicle.
Theron can definitely go head to head with those male cinematic agents, bringing along that flair that makes her so magnetic and sexy. She can channel ruthlessness, intelligence and sass with a mere glint in the eye or head tilt.
Her statuesque physique - accentuated by stilettos, tailored pants, trench coats and slinky dresses - is amazing to watch as she nimbly pummels the baddies to a pulp.
The narrative is rather convoluted, and the pacing could be tighter, but Leitch's fluid and gratifying long takes are to be praised.
The former stuntman-turned-director delivers a breathless standout scene towards the end of the film - we follow Lorraine from an empty apartment block's elevator to engaging in fisticuffs along the narrow corridors in a room and then back outside in one supposedly seamless take.
That moment will be remembered as one of the best action sequences in recent movie history.
RATING: 4/5
MOVIE: Atomic Blonde
STARRING: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, Toby Jones, John Goodman, Sofia Boutella
DIRECTOR: David Leitch
THE SKINNY: Lorraine Broughton (Theron) is a top MI6 agent who is sent to Berlin to recover a vital list of undercover spies before the Russians get their hands on it. She is told to trust no one and that includes her Berlin counterpart David Percival (McAvoy).
RATING: R21
Still in cinemas
Dunkirk (PG13)
Christopher Nolan concocts a war film that not only is spectacular but also emotional and intelligent.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
The Big Sick (NC16)
A charming and heart-warming romantic comedy that looks at a couple going through the ups and downs brought about by their racial differences.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
Baby Driver (NC16)
Thrilling, exhilarating, charming and original, Edgar Wright's heist movie, starring Jamie Foxx, Ansel Elgort and Kevin Spacey, could just be the film of the year.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (PG)
Luc Besson's sci-fi adventure is one glorious visual expedition, it is a pity that Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne's acting abilities leave a lot to be desired.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 51%
Hampstead (PG)
Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson star in this rom-com about how love can be found in the most unexpected places and that age is no barrier to second chances.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 42%
War For The Planet Of The Apes (PG)
Just give Andy Serkis an Oscar already. The mixture of impressive tech and Serkis' brilliance makes you forget the franchise hero Caesar is an ape.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
The Bad Batch (M18)
Suki Waterhouse and Jason Mamoa star in this dystopian drama about a hunt for a missing child and the love-hate relationship between the two leads.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 44%
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
