'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' (2015) Review

Although The Man From U.N.C.L.E. contains various similarities to other spy films, it proves to be a great love letter to 60's spy films from director Guy Ritchie. It also happens to be the fourth spy film released this year with the new Bond flick Spectre to close out this year of spy movies in November and while I have yet to see Spy I can say that this film didn't really click with me the way Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation and Kingsman: The Secret Service did as I loved both of those films but for different reasons. This film doesn't quite stand apart from most spy films as seeming to be a generic spy film set in the 1960s during the midst of the Cold War. However I did really enjoy the film and was engaged throughout with fun action sequences, beautiful cinematography, awesome production design, and some great montages. There was some subtle humor and gags that made me laugh but there wasn't really much comedy to the film that I feel could have certainly elevated the fun spy adventure. The film also boasts some great performances. Henry Cavill is certainly a standout as the American spy, Napoleon Solo, who is slick, arrogant and full of more life as compared to his serious performance as the Man of Steel. Armie Hammer is very entertaining as the Russian spy, Kuryakin, and it's interesting to see a little more range from Hammer as he does a fine job portraying a tough Soviet and actually does a great job with his Russian accent as it sounds very believable. The two leads work quite well as a dynamic duo with Cavill playing a clean cut gentleman spy while Hammer is the rough weathered KGB agent. This allows for a little situational comedy when the two are working together and a few quick one-liners from Cavill. Rounding out the central cast is Alicia Vikander as Teller, who turns out to be more than a damsel in distress and makes a capable female lead. The film's main villain, Victoria Vinciguerra, portrayed by Elizabeth Debicki makes for an interesting criminal mastermind but isn't quite given the development necessary to make her a memorable villain. The film does however have an interesting plot with a few unexpected twists and turns along the way to make the film more interesting and make it a little more than a stereotypical spy flick. One part of the film that is used quite effectively is the film's score with some great music choices that work well with the action unfolding onscreen. I wouldn't say the film is the best thing I've seen from Guy Ritchie, since I actually prefer his take on the latest Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr., but it does make for an enjoyable spy popcorn flick.

Film Assessment: B-