Red Sparrow Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs
3. Jo Willems' Sharp Cinematography
All flaws aside, this is quite the handsome film indeed. Cinematographer Jo Willems - who also teamed with Francis Lawrence on the latter three Hunger Games movies - ensures there's never a dull image, making the most of the chilly, bleak scenery, the remote Sparrow training centre, and all the grotesquely-lit hotel rooms and bars Dominika visits.
Willems manages to render even trashy locales in classy style, and though the overall edit could certainly use some trimming, the moment-to-moment juxtaposition of images is extremely pleasing to the eye.
Some might be wishing for something a little more grimy and disgusting-looking to compliment the perverse subject matter, but as far as glossy Hollywood entertainments go, it's extremely well-mounted.