THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. takes place at the height of the Cold War, where a mysterious criminal organization plans to upset the fragile balance of power between the US and USSR. CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin are forced to put aside their differences and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks.
With movies such as Kingsman: The Secret Service, Spy, and Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, as well as Spectre coming out in November, one could say that 2015 is the year of the spy movies. Joining this list is THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., which doesn't have the uncompromising charm of Kingsman, the riotous fun of Spy, or the thrilling action of Mission Impossible, but it does have something neither of the other three have: Guy Ritchie.
This is a really cool and stylized film that confidently captures the era without ever going overboard. The main problem I had is that it's a bit too confident; the movie isn't as clever or funny as it thinks it is. There are moments where the jokes hit and then are moments where they miss. The plot is forgettable and, at times, boring, leaving you with charismatic stars, winking dialogue, and implausibly dazzling set pieces.
Despite questionable accents at times, the two leads share some great on-screen chemistry. Known for his role as Superman, Cavill plays a different kind of superman here; he's that relaxed, fly by the seat of your pants American secret agent. Conversely, Armie Hammer plays an uptight, badass Russian spy; it's that contrast between the two protagonists, which serves as the film's source of comedy. In that regard, they're entertaining characters to watch, albeit one- dimensional characters, but entertaining nonetheless.
Alicia Vikander, from Ex Machina, impresses me every time I see her, and that's certainly the case again as she plays the fiery and sensual link between the two agents to perfection.
Despite the tentative pacing here and there, THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. is still an, overall, entertaining watch. Style over substance is acceptable, as long as the style is substantial.
With movies such as Kingsman: The Secret Service, Spy, and Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, as well as Spectre coming out in November, one could say that 2015 is the year of the spy movies. Joining this list is THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., which doesn't have the uncompromising charm of Kingsman, the riotous fun of Spy, or the thrilling action of Mission Impossible, but it does have something neither of the other three have: Guy Ritchie.
This is a really cool and stylized film that confidently captures the era without ever going overboard. The main problem I had is that it's a bit too confident; the movie isn't as clever or funny as it thinks it is. There are moments where the jokes hit and then are moments where they miss. The plot is forgettable and, at times, boring, leaving you with charismatic stars, winking dialogue, and implausibly dazzling set pieces.
Despite questionable accents at times, the two leads share some great on-screen chemistry. Known for his role as Superman, Cavill plays a different kind of superman here; he's that relaxed, fly by the seat of your pants American secret agent. Conversely, Armie Hammer plays an uptight, badass Russian spy; it's that contrast between the two protagonists, which serves as the film's source of comedy. In that regard, they're entertaining characters to watch, albeit one- dimensional characters, but entertaining nonetheless.
Alicia Vikander, from Ex Machina, impresses me every time I see her, and that's certainly the case again as she plays the fiery and sensual link between the two agents to perfection.
Despite the tentative pacing here and there, THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. is still an, overall, entertaining watch. Style over substance is acceptable, as long as the style is substantial.