The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
Originally a popular TV show in the mid-1960s, starring Robert Vaughn & David McCallum (NCIS), 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' is a fun, fizzy, action/adventure spy spoof directed by England's hyperkinetic Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, The Sherlock Holmes franchise). For those not in the know, U.N.C.L.E. is an acronym for "United Network Command for Law & Enforcement". Set in 1963 in the midst of the Cold War, this film follows 2 very different/mismatched spies who are forced together as partners. Suave American thief-turned-CIA spy Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill, Man of Steel) is sent on a mission to smuggle high-spirited East German mechanic Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander, about to break-out this year) over the Berlin Wall to West Germany.
Hot on their trail is no-nonsense Russian spy Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer, The Social Network, Lone Ranger), who possesses near-superhuman strength & focus. In what becomes an unprecedented collaboration, their joint mission (as told by Solo's boss, played by Jared Harris) to locate Gaby's physicist father {who's gone missing} and is to prevent a nuclear bomb from falling into the hands of demented Italian glamour-puss Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki, of The Great Gatsby), an Evil {with a capital E} heiress/crime boss. Napoleon & Ilya must take Gaby along for their ride; playing her off as Ilya's fiance, and using her to infiltrate the Vinciguerra shipping company that's making her physicist father build the nuclear bomb for them. Hijinks ensue.
Thanks to writer/director Guy Ritchie, 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' revels in its locales, leading stars, & the clothes they wear. Henry Cavill certainly LOOKS the part of the smooth, suave, chiseled American spy. His American accent is pretty good. His cheeky line deliveries are fine. That said, aside from Man of Steel, a lot of audiences aren't overly familiar with Cavill and, perhaps the film needed someone with more star wattage. Armie Hammer impresses as the psychologically fragile, yet strapping Russian; a man who struggles to keep his temper in check. He & Cavill look like GQ models and have good chemistry as our main duo. But again, Hammer lacks some of the star-power that could have lifted this production from good-ish to great; and certainly not a box office disappointment.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander (so good in this yr.'s Ex Machina & Testament of Youth) looks awfully nice in her 60s miniskirts/oversized sun glasses. But while she & Armie Hammer share 'some' chemistry, there are more sparks flying when the 2 leading men are together; bantering & teasing each other throughout the proceedings. As for our villainess, Elizabeth Debicki entertains with her icy-cool glare, over-the-top outfits, & vile menace. Also along for the ride is Hugh Grant as Solo & Ilya's new supervisor, Waverly. It's always nice to see him pop-up in a movie nowadays. But really, this is the Cavill/Hammer/Vikander/Debicki show.
As mentioned above, the film LOOKS good. The actors/actresses look debonair/stunning in their outfits {an Oscar nom for Costumes would not surprise}. The period set designs are classy & extravagant. The cinematography is elegant. The editing is leisurely, but never slow-paced. And the film crackles in the stunt-heavy action sequences -- I'm reminded of a fun chase on a boat, as well as the climactic jeep/motorcycle scene. As for the screenplay, well, it's offbeat and consistently amusing, if also convoluted. Our spy characters traipse around doing many spy things; some makes sense, most don't, but that's okay. Fans of the TV show may gawk & cringe at how different this movie is from the source material. But those who don't know a thing about it going in may be more forgiving. The plot is on the weaker side, but all the other ingredients contained in '... U.N.C.L.E.' makes for a stylish, amusing, and pleasant popcorn flick for late August audiences.
Hot on their trail is no-nonsense Russian spy Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer, The Social Network, Lone Ranger), who possesses near-superhuman strength & focus. In what becomes an unprecedented collaboration, their joint mission (as told by Solo's boss, played by Jared Harris) to locate Gaby's physicist father {who's gone missing} and is to prevent a nuclear bomb from falling into the hands of demented Italian glamour-puss Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki, of The Great Gatsby), an Evil {with a capital E} heiress/crime boss. Napoleon & Ilya must take Gaby along for their ride; playing her off as Ilya's fiance, and using her to infiltrate the Vinciguerra shipping company that's making her physicist father build the nuclear bomb for them. Hijinks ensue.
Thanks to writer/director Guy Ritchie, 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' revels in its locales, leading stars, & the clothes they wear. Henry Cavill certainly LOOKS the part of the smooth, suave, chiseled American spy. His American accent is pretty good. His cheeky line deliveries are fine. That said, aside from Man of Steel, a lot of audiences aren't overly familiar with Cavill and, perhaps the film needed someone with more star wattage. Armie Hammer impresses as the psychologically fragile, yet strapping Russian; a man who struggles to keep his temper in check. He & Cavill look like GQ models and have good chemistry as our main duo. But again, Hammer lacks some of the star-power that could have lifted this production from good-ish to great; and certainly not a box office disappointment.
Swedish actress Alicia Vikander (so good in this yr.'s Ex Machina & Testament of Youth) looks awfully nice in her 60s miniskirts/oversized sun glasses. But while she & Armie Hammer share 'some' chemistry, there are more sparks flying when the 2 leading men are together; bantering & teasing each other throughout the proceedings. As for our villainess, Elizabeth Debicki entertains with her icy-cool glare, over-the-top outfits, & vile menace. Also along for the ride is Hugh Grant as Solo & Ilya's new supervisor, Waverly. It's always nice to see him pop-up in a movie nowadays. But really, this is the Cavill/Hammer/Vikander/Debicki show.
As mentioned above, the film LOOKS good. The actors/actresses look debonair/stunning in their outfits {an Oscar nom for Costumes would not surprise}. The period set designs are classy & extravagant. The cinematography is elegant. The editing is leisurely, but never slow-paced. And the film crackles in the stunt-heavy action sequences -- I'm reminded of a fun chase on a boat, as well as the climactic jeep/motorcycle scene. As for the screenplay, well, it's offbeat and consistently amusing, if also convoluted. Our spy characters traipse around doing many spy things; some makes sense, most don't, but that's okay. Fans of the TV show may gawk & cringe at how different this movie is from the source material. But those who don't know a thing about it going in may be more forgiving. The plot is on the weaker side, but all the other ingredients contained in '... U.N.C.L.E.' makes for a stylish, amusing, and pleasant popcorn flick for late August audiences.