Man From U.N.C.L.E. Review

Style is the Game in This Late Summer Spy Flick

Man From U.N.C.L.E. is the newest spy flick directed by cult favorite Guy Richie who previous work includes 2000s film Snatch, as well as the two resent Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law (and no not the one with Ian McKellen even though that is more resent and no not the one with Benedict Cumberbatch...thats not even a movie). In Man From U.N.C.L.E. Henry Cavil, aka Superman, stars as Napoleon Solo, a former criminal turned top C.I.A. agent. After Solo has a run in with KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) the two reluctantly are forced to team up in order to prevent an arsenal of nuclear war heads from getting into the hands of former Nazi's and threatening both the the United States and the Soviet Union. From there there is action, infiltration, and plenty of suave courtesy of Henry Cavil portrayal of Solo.

In a year where almost every spy movie on the billboards seems to be crushing it Man From U.N.C.L.E. gets a lot right. It has its own approach and rhythm thanks to Ritchie's signature vision and style (that scene in Sherlock Holems Game of Shadows where Holmes and Watson are running form the factory still is some of my favorite use of slow-mo). Cavil and Hammer's chemistry is the spotlight of the picture as the two will often intimidate each other in believable ways. Kuryakin has his daunting stature but Solo has his charm and slight of hand, each one knows the other can match him. Also a surprise was just how funny this movie was, nothing laugh out loud funny but plenty of tongue in cheek humor and plenty of smirking moments.

This movie isn't all great however. The chemistry between the leads can't hide the typical plot and cliche. Its a spy movie so of course there trying to sabatoge the development of a nuke. As good as Alecia Vikander was at being the third wheel to Solo and Kuryakin's "I'll kill you later" bromance, Elizabeth Debicki was equally forgettable as the main antagonist. Then also some of the transitions were a little two obnoxious; maybe it was suppose to be reminiscent of the old tv show but it just reminded me of the terrible transitions from Ang Lee's Hulk Movie in 2003.

In the end Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a good time at the movies. If you were a fan of any of Guy Richie's last moves then you'll probably buy into the style and suave of this movie right away. There is plenty to dislike in Man From U.N.C.L.E. but if your like me you'll be too busy having fun with Hammer and Cavil to care. 3/5