MovieChat Forums > Atomic Blonde (2017) Discussion > Nothing like a "female James Bond".

Nothing like a "female James Bond".

posted 6 years ago by Otter (24464)
8 replies | jump to latest

I've heard a lot of people describe this film as being about "a female James Bond", which is such bull. Sure, she's a secret agent like Bond, but the movie is nothing like a Bond movie. Bond movies are fun and colorful and a vacation from reality, while this movie is gray, grim, brutal, cheerless, absolutely lacking in fun, and about 75% realistic violence.

So anyone who brings this movie up in a discussion of whether James Bond can be female can stuff it.

[–] Renovatio (2990) 6 years ago

Perhaps that is the current idea of a female James Bond... More misery and dourness... It's like the pain and morbidity of some of Emily Dickinson poems, but without any of the humour, puns and satire...

I haven't seen this movie yet, I'm curious and will probably watvh itvat some point as it is directed by the guy who did the first John Wick movie... Perhaps that is a better comparison?

I would love to see a life-affirming, yet fun/thrilling spy movie, as the old Bond movies were... It seems that is not in fashion these days...

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

I turned off the John Wick movie somewhere in the first hour. I wanted to like it because I'm so fond of Keanu Reeves, but it seemed to be nothing but pointless violence and I'm not into pointless violence... unless it's fun, like it is in a good Bond film. What's violence without amazing stunts, great big explosions, or snappy one-liners?

Maybe that director wants to build his career on pointless violence, and I can't say that's a bad strategy.

[–] ArmadilloKnight (456) 6 years ago

The love for John Wick comes from the amazingly choreographed scenes, smooth camera work and attention to detail. The choreography alone sets it apart from most action movies. If you pay attention you will see that they prefer wide takes of the action rather than the overused cuts we see in most movies, mainly in the Bourne franchise.

Also unlike pretty much any other action movie, you actually see John get shot several times, enemies come at him from behind and from his sides. Not to mention Keanu's intimacy with guns, he handles it as if he had been working with guns for most of his life. And from my little experience with guns, I noticed that they make sure he doesn't fire more bullets than a gun can carry without reloading.

Those are the elements that make up for it's weak plot and pointless violence. Of course, you could notice all of that and still dislike the movie.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Yeah, I thought the fight scenes were very slickly done, but that wasn't enough to make me care about the people fighting or to like the film.

"Atomic Blonde" and "John Wick" just aren't my kind of movies, but I'm happy that Keanu has a couple of recent hits.

[–] DracTarashV2 (4475) 6 years ago

Stylistically, senselessly violent, fast-paced, mostly plotless, grim action movies ain’t your thing, huh? Well, when they can deliver, they undoubtedly appeal to me. I find John Wick and Atomic Blonde both pleasing. Although I hold the John Wick series in much higher regard than Atomic Blonde, both properties were justifiably praised for their technical aspects, unrelenting action (more in Wick’s case), soundtrack, performances, and freshness.

I agree, though, Atomic Blonde shouldn’t be compared to James Bond. But in Atomic Blonde’s defense, the same thing has been said about movies like Salt and the recently released Red Sparrow (another gritty spy film). Female spy automatically equals James Bond? For those that have been comparing them, there isn’t much to compare. So you found this comparison insulting to James Bond, whereas I find it unfair to both movies.

Overall, if I want a well-made, modern spy movie dedicated to delivering thrills, entertainment, mystery, humor, and a livelier tone altogether, I’ll stick with the Mission: Impossible series. Films like Atomic Blonde and especially John Wick (worth noting this is more of an assassin film) were refreshing and super thrilling to me.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Glad to know somebody like those films. I like both Reeves and Theron, and I'm glad to know somebody appreciated their efforts.

Because those films were... just not my sort of movies.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

I'd heard it more compared to the Bourne series.

[–] tlm550 (188) 6 years ago

This movie is so incredibly boring and doesn't deserve to be compared to Bond or even Bourne movies. This movie really sucked.