It’s fortunate that Luc Besson still has enough recognition to generate some curiosity around his movies; otherwise, this unoriginal film likely wouldn't have been released. The story centers on a young model named "Anna" (Sasha Luss), who is brought in by "Tchenkov" (Luke Evans) and his superior "Olga" (Dame Helen Mirren) to work for the KGB. She possesses the appearance, the attractiveness – along with ninja abilit…

It’s rare to find spy action movies made on smaller budgets that still work well, but Anna falls short despite having recognizable actors and a seasoned filmmaker at the helm. I went into this film excited by the idea of a female lead in the vein of John Wick, backed up by performers like Luke Evans, Helen Mirren, and Cillian Murphy. However, it simply isn't enjoyable to watch. A significant portion of the running…

I’ve always been drawn to movies by Luc Besson. Even the weaker ones are usually more entertaining than most of the generic action films released by major studios or those made purely for profit as direct-to-video releases. There's plenty that could be criticized, from how unrealistic many events are to moments where the performances aren’t great... but that isn’t really why people watch a Luc Besson film. It’s a…

If _Red Sparrow_ is what happens when you make a bad imitation of _Atomic Blonde_, then what does that say about the imitation of _Red Sparrow_? I'd have to guess it’s something like _Anna_. _Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._

This is an acceptable spy movie from the eighties, feeling like a blend of Atomic Blonde, Red Sparrow, and La Femme Nikita. Sasha Luss proved capable in the central role, and the action sequences were skillfully put together. While the plot itself isn't particularly remarkable, the surprises landed well, and I found myself engaged throughout because of the enjoyable performances from those around her, notably Helen M…