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

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is now in theatres and our Jordan Samuel has all the angles covered for you with our ComiConverse review.

2015 has been a standout year for spy moves. We started out with the brilliant Kingsman: Secret Service which felt very original for the genre this was also followed up with the immensely entertaining Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.

The next outing in the year for spy movies is The Man from U.N.C.L.E., based on the hit TV show of the same name that was massive in the 60’s. The film focuses on American spy Napoleon Solo, the small screen James Bond, and his complete opposite number, Illya Kuryakin, a Russian badass going on crazy missions for his government.

Several years have passed since the TV show was cancelled, so we were looking forwarded to seeing what Hollywood could do with the tim adaptation.

Summary:

At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power between the United States and Soviet Union. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) are forced to put aside their hostilities and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks. The duo's only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe.

Critique: 

The plot of this movie feels very generic at times – with certain elements feeling very obvious; but the action in between boring plot points is so good that it makes you forget what the spies are fighting for.

I was also impressed with the setting in the film, because it really did look like the 60's with the color pallet bringing you back to the period in question. Director Guy Richie does well with making everything feel authentic in The Man from U.N.C.L.E, including the beautiful soundtrack.

You can tell that Richie was truly inspired by the time period while filming this movie.

The process of setting up these characters for the audience is managed pretty well in this film. The contrast in their backgrounds feels so different from each other Napoleon and Illya feel like real life agents from the 60's.

Sometimes it felt like the characters jokes never hit at the right moments, even though it probably isn't the actors' fault. The writing coming across flat. Mercifully, there are not that many jokes in the film.

I do love the introduction piece of the movie. It felt like something from an early bond flick and made you feel immediately interested in the world being portrayed. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer really make these scenes come alive with their cheerful banter and suave performances. It makes you wonder why these guys haven’t worked together before.

Alicia Vikander plays Gaby Teller the daughter of a vanished German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization.  To me she is the standout performer in the film; with her character coming across as smart and mysterious at the same time.

Hugh Grant's performance sadly doesn't share the same fate here. His character is never given a chance to shine, which sucks because I would have adored some more screen time from him.

I enjoyed The Man From U.N.C.L.E. because it was so grounded. During a time where we have comic movies coming out every single weekend, this could be one of the most fun films of the year for many movie-goers

The film is nothing groundbreaking, but we don’t really need that in August?

If you’re looking for a good movie this weekend ComiConverse says one word for you U.N.C.L.E.

Hopefully the film will spark a franchise, as the ending feels like an amazing way to start one up. Guy Ritchie may have won himself more work with this effort.

What is your opinion on The Man from U.N.C.L.E?

Have you seen it yet?

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Jordan Samuel is a Contributor for ComiConverse. Follow him on Twitter: @LoadingBa