THE EMOJI MOVIE

ATOMIC BLONDE

1/2 R, 115 minutes. Starts Friday at Niantic. Starts tonight at Mystic Luxury Cinemas, Waterford, Stonington, Westbrook, Lisbon. The 1980s are back, baby — the fashions, the tunes, the Russian spies. The Cold War is so hot right now, and action thriller “Atomic Blonde” is here to capitalize on that moment. Charlize Theron stars as the titular blonde in this violently stylish spy flick, doing her own version of “John Wick” as a taciturn secret agent with a very impressive set of skills. Directed by former stunt man and “Wick” co-director David Leitch, “Atomic Blonde” is a cool bit of eye candy with incredible stunts and a killer soundtrack, even though it falters on the story itself. “Atomic Blonde,” adapted by Kurt Johnstad from the graphic novel “The Coldest City” by Antony Johnston, is a harmonious marriage of material and star. Theron is perfect for the role as the frigid, butt-kicking MI-6 agent Lorraine Broughton, dispatched to Berlin for a dangerous mission in the shadow of the falling Berlin Wall in November 1989. Though the film claims it’s not the story of the Berlin Wall, it couldn’t be the story that it is without it. It offers a frenzied political backdrop, a ticking clock, and a robust sense of energy and urgency to “Atomic Blonde.” Lorraine has been sent to Berlin to retrieve a microfilm with a list of foreign agents working in the region. It was taken from the body of a dead British agent by the KGB operative who murdered him, and could now be for sale to the highest bidder. Lorraine is to connect with British agent Percival (James McAvoy), who has “gone native” in the underground club culture of East Berlin, and secure the list at all costs. Along the way, there are complications that take the form of tricky Russian agents, compromised identities, sexy French spies (Sofia Boutella) and a colleague gone rogue. “Atomic Blonde” is a film about the power to be found in crafting images and telling stories. Unfortunately, “Atomic Blonde” fumbles its own tale. After a brisk, efficient, über-cool first hour, all New Wave tunes and sexy neon lighting, the second hour drags into dullness. — Katie Walsh, Tribune Content Agency PG, 86 minutes. Starts Friday at Niantic, Mystic Luxury Cinemas, Waterford, Stonington, Westbrook, Lisbon. In this animated movie, Gene, a multi-expressional emoji, sets out on a journey to become a normal emoji. T.J. Miller, James Corden, Anna Faris and Maya Rudolph are among those who voice characters. A review wasn’t available by deadline.