Film Review: The Man from U.N.C.L.E (Guy Ritchie, 2015) ★★★

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It's the peak of the Cold War and tensions and hostilities following World War II are high. American CIA agent, Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and the Russian KGB's Ilya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) find themselves reluctantly joining forces to prevent a fascist Nazi plot. 

Director Guy Ritchie returns with another cinematic adaption of a nostalgic classic. Acting as a prequel to the classic Robert Vaughn-David McCallum TV series, Ritchie breathes life back in to the tongue-in-cheek, spy narrative and this time, there's more muscle. Set during the Cold War in the 1960s and filmed across England and Italy, our story opens in Germany where our American protagonist, Solo, in true espionage style, must convince the kidnapped daughter of a rocket scientist, Gaby (Alicia Vikander) to come with him in the hopes of tracking down her father and Nazi sympathisers. Being a member of the CIA, Solo is aware he is being followed and has met his match in the form of the KGB's Ilya who's mission is the same. 

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Filled with action, adventure and oozing with sixties style and charisma from our leading cast, The Man From U.N.C.L.E certainly fulfills your standard spy film requirements. Ritchie, having once been renowned as a music video director, has clearly still got an eye for cinematography with every shot being carefully constructed to draw-in the eye. This means, however, that the narrative structure and character development leaves a lot to be desired and is added in where possible using rather lazy tactics. 
Whilst we are given a few glimpses of character depth, this is not enough for us as spectators to sustain any attachment to any of them. In the few brief moments of mild despair, we are hardly worried for them and this makes for an easy ride.  Cavill and Hammer are, however, ideal for the lead roles and their chemistry is ever-present throughout, though their relationship could be played on even further -something we expect to see in the sequel we are set-up for so blatantly.  

The film itself is pretty sketchy in some areas. Plagued with continuity errors, wavering accents, a semi-decent plot point and some rather questionable cameos from the likes of David Beckham and Ritchie's own model wife, it comes across a little messy. Taking it as face value, however, The Man from U.N.C.L.E is a light-hearted and rather amusing take on a stylish sixties classic. With a predictable yet still enjoyable story, no dramatic plot development, it is easy viewing for those of you looking for a bit of no strings thrill. 

The Man from U.N.C.L.E gets a Sophie star rating of 3 out of 5 stars for it's swagger and of course, those two leading men who steal the show. Though this one might not be winning any awards for its screenplay or writing, it is enjoyable nether the less. 

Have you seen The Man from U.N.C.L.E yet? What do you think of Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer? I absolutely loved all the clothes and style in this movie and it's got me so excited for a vintage inspired winter wardrobe. 

Until next time movie fans, 

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12 comments

  1. Ah first time hearing about this movie!! Thanks for sharing

    Candice | Beauty Candy Loves

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    1. No worries hun - it's worth a watch, if only for it's leading men! x

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  2. I love Guy Richie and his style! I'm going to see this at the weekend with the boyfriend as he can enjoy the action and cars and I can watch Henry Cavill and Army Hammer. This looks so sixities I love that! Such a great era for fashion xx

    xxAimeexx

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    1. Yeah he's definitely got his own style. I did love all the outfits and the way it's shot - I think your bf will love it haha and you can enjoy watching Henry :) You'll have to let me know what you thought of it xx

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  3. I've never seen the tv show but I did enjoy this movie as the type of lighthearted spy-flick that some of the James Bond movies used to be. In the Daniel Craig era, the Bond movies have a particularly dark tone. I thought that Henry Cavill gave an excellent performance, which surprised me because I thought in Man of Steel, he was a little flat. Armie Hammer's character with all his rage issues is less stylish than Henry's but they play well together. Alicia Vikander's character has a great start but after that, I didn't think she was given enough to do other than to look fantastic (and she does) in those 1960's outfits (although I really liked that scene by the Spanish Steps). Elizabeth Debicki was good and I liked how she towered over Henry Cavill in their scenes together. As you point out, Sophie, the writing could have been crisper and the film had other flaws but overall I liked it.

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    1. The TV is kind of similar in that it's very tongue in cheek and comical but Ilya isn't crazy in the TV show. They've added that to him. I can't stand Daniel Craig, I think he's awful. I honestly think Cavill would be a better bond!

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  4. I didn't realise it was a TV show. I love Henry Cavill though I think he's perfect for this. I love her dress it looks very stylish! XD

    Sara x

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    1. Yeah from back in the sixties :) I know, I love all the style in it. Thanks for reading hun x

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  5. I haven't heard of this film before! I'll have to keep my eye out for it, love the sixties! I saw that you were at an event with Tom Hardy the other day, so jealous!! I hope you took lots of photos

    www.sophieslittlesecrets.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm really surprised cos I thought being Guy Ritchie and having such a famous cast, it would be a really popular one! Yeah don't worry I took loads haha I'll be posting them up soon along with the video :) Thanks hun xx

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