Red Sparrow is reasonably gripping although it had the irritating habit of awarding Jennifer Lawrence innumerable get out of gaol free cards. I guess that's implied in the story, as she certainly has some aces up her sleeve that the story made clear. However it wouldn't have hurt the timeline not to have her so fast-tracked, or make better connection between the training and the ultimate deceptions. That's a splitting hairs criticism, but it was certainly something that held me back from full belief in the plot. I liked the violence in this movie. It was well-placed and tastefully done (real) which helped with authenticity. I enjoyed the professionalism brought to this movie by the major stars (great casting) and the way it brilliantly tied the former ballet star with soundtrack strings to the subsequent drama and action. That underlying premise was really well done and worked a treat. If you are a fan of John Le Carre then this movie, despite set in our modern day, is more of the Smiley style of thriller than perhaps his Bourne books. Red Sparrow is not a super-action winner, and it's with a certain satisfaction that the heroine here possibly believes she is, but is confounded by reality in that regard. The framing of the shots and the editing were top notch too, ensuring we stay involved even at the duller moments. I have to admit it, it's a great movie and a welcome addition to the spy genre.