Praiseworthy but pedestrian

Rating: 6/10 (16 November 2015)

This is impressive to look at: the production design and photographic composition are really strong. Likewise, the story and setting is engaging; the corps of actors are all very capable and even the the use of rather feeble Russian accents does not induce mockery, more sympathy for a rather bad decision.
And yet, despite all the obvious qualities this movie somehow misses. It is still a strong movie, better than many, but it could have been, or should have been more memorable, more compelling.
It lacks energy, it drags and plods along, which may be due to its length. Maybe the editing is the cause and a re-cut could give it more spark, or even condense it to bring tighter focus. It doesn't need more action for its own sake, rather a condensed framing.
Or maybe despite the setting and historical scenery it is another cop on the trail of a killer movie story and well, that has had a many, many excursions.