Just back from seeing it. Solid movie; easily a 7.
This is certainly not a Black Widow-style film or even an attempt to make a female James Bond movie. In fact, if JLaw's character arc resembles anyone, it's Pacino in Godfather - and before I get hit with incoming fire, I'm obviously not comparing the two in terms of quality. But like Michael, Dominika is pulled into a world she tried to avoid by her family, both those she loves and those she hates. And eventually proves to be just as ruthless as everyone else. If not more so. This is fitting, since Russia, including it's security services, is the ultimate Mafia State.
The film is based on a novel by an ex-CIA officer, and it shows. The world of real life spooks is presented as manipulative, sordid and cynical. Violence is not the highly stylised version of Bourne or Bond, but ugly and clumsy; even trained assassins make mistakes. Dominka throws up and screams while being tortured. This is not an easy film to watch. I'm far from squeamish, but even I winced at a couple of scenes. Particularly the leg break and the rape scene.
JLaw gives an excellent central performance as a woman who is forced to become just as manipulative and cold-blooded as those who try to use her. And as others have said, physically she's never looked better; she obviously put in serious gym time. The supporting cast is also uniformly strong.
A good film, but I doubt this will turn into a franchise. It's simply too uncomfortable at times to have mass appeal.
