Atomic Blonde

As the Berlin Wall crumbled in 1989, a behind-the-scenes spy saga was unfolding, revolving around undercover MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron), who was dispatched to retrieve information vital to the safety of Western intelligence. As she's being debriefed by her handlers (Toby Jones, John Goodman), it is revealed that another MI6 agent had a list of every espionage officer in the city on both sides of the Cold War conflict—and when he was killed, that list went missing. MI6 wants it back since it contains the identity of an infamous double-agent named Satchel. In order to achieve her objective, Broughton must singlehandedly battle not only the KGB but also Stasi operatives, Allied spies, and even rogue members of her own organization, such as self-serving psychopathic David Percival (James McAvoy) and predatory Delphine Lesalle (Sofia Boutella), a sultry French operative. None of this poses much of a problem for the fearless and ferocious Broughton, who takes on teams of thugs while looking stunning in shiny thigh-high boots and sipping tumblers of Stoli on the rocks. Working from an adaptation of Antony Johnston's graphic novel The Coldest City, director David Leitch (who once stunt-doubled for Brad Pitt and Matt Damon) trained Theron for three months to embody the emotionless, enigmatic, fictional heroine who engages in kinetic fight sequences set to the beat of ‘80s Europop. A steely, stylish, adrenaline-propelled thriller, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director David Leitch and editor Elísabet Ronaldsdóttir, the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Anatomy of a Fight Scene” (8 min.), “Blondes Have More Gun” (7 min.), “Welcome to Berlin” (4 min.), and “Spymaster” (4 min.), “Story in Motion” animated storyboards (4 min.), and deleted and extended scenes (8 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a kick-butt female action film.] (S. Granger)