Friday, August 21, 2015

Family Movie Night: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Title: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Director: Guy Ritchie
Original Release: 2015
Choice: My Wife's
My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5
via LIBIDOBRAVO
Guy Ritchie's latest effort revives a TV show from the 1960s, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.  In the dark days of the Cold War, top agents from the CIA and the KGB team up to combat an evil supervillain.  Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) is the playboy, not-particularly-well-reformed criminal American.  Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) is the psychotic, physically imposing Russian.  I've never seen the original show but it played an interesting role in Star Trek's history.  William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy appeared in a 1964 episode together, their first such intersection.

I judge the film against two separate metrics: spy movies and Guy Ritchie movies.  Ian Flemming was deeply involved in the development of the TV series so similarities with the James Bond franchise are to be expected.  The story's low on gadgetry but there are great fight and chase scenes as well as ample sexual intrigue.  Overall, I'd say The Man from U.N.C.L.E. compares quite favorably with recent Bond offerings.

Bond is a mixed bag.  I've seen them all and would feel I was somehow being unfaithful to the cinematic gods if I hadn't.  But I willingly admit that even the best of the batch rely more on spectacle than narrative substance.  One thing I have come to admire about Star Wars, on the other hand, is the fact that every duel or space battle is infused with story and I feel The Man from U.N.C.L.E. did well along those lines.  The obligatory chase scene to open a Bond film is always fun but the priority is topping the same scene from the most recent movie rather than advancing development.  With U.N.C.L.E., the action scenes were spectacular but also occasionally funny and always meaningful.

Ritchie movies are, if anything, the higher standard for me.  Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels are two of my all-time favorites.  I love his snappy dialogue, innovative camerawork, serpentine storytelling and obvious gift for getting the most out of an actor.  U.N.C.L.E. doesn't quite measure up to the two mentioned above but Ritchie's sensibilities nearly always generate a sophisticated product.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is fun and I'm hoping this is just the first film of many in a series.  The franchise is certainly in good hands with Guy Ritchie.

22 comments:

  1. I vaguely remember the TV show, "Man from Uncle" but better remember "Get Smart" which I think may have been a spoof of the first one. I can even remember using the lame argument, "don't you want me to be smart" with my dad when he had something other than watching TV for me to do.

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    1. I think I have seen Get Smart but it's been a long time. I do remember Don Adams had a funny guest appearance on Love Boat.

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  2. I am having a lot of issues getting my comment to take :(. I was trying to say that I didnt realize UNCLE was an acronym in this movie title until this post. Clearly I am out of the loop on this one! And I LOVE Bond movies...

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    1. Spectre is out in November! Between Bond, Peanuts and Star Wars, it's going to be an exciting couple of months for movies at my house.

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  3. I want to go see it, but I don't know if I'll have a chance to catch it at the theater.

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  4. I adored the TV series The Man from UNCLE !
    The clothes, the fun and excitement plus Robert Vagghn and David McCallum !
    Also liked The Avengers.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. The Avengers never took for me and I am not sure why. Diana Rigg, though, is eternally awesome.

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  5. I have heard nothing but great things about this film. Guy Ritchie is also behind the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey Jnr and Jude Law. You are right about the opening chase scenes with James Bond but I still love the character even if he has woman issues, is an alcoholic and probably has more than one sexually transmitted disease. I have never seen the TV show and always wanted to but they never showed them when I grew up.

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    1. I thought the first Sherlock Holmes movie was a bit over the top in terms of the visuals. But the writing was good.

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  6. Would love to see the Man from UNCLE, great review. But I love spy thrillers as much as mysteries, and dinosaur movies.

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    1. I'm with you on the mysteries. Not so much on the dinosaurs.

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  7. I haven't seen this one, but it looked pretty good when I saw the short. Thanks for the great review!

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  8. I really want to see this. I'm busy with back-to-school things, so I might have to wait to see it.

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  9. I used to watch the show when I was a kid but I hardly remember it except that I enjoyed it. Loved Snatch tho so I may have to check this out.

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    1. Now that I have watched and enjoyed the movie, I feel I should give the show a try. Wife's not interested though so I rather doubt it will happen.

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  10. This movie looks fun. I'm glad Guy Richie is back and in good form; and what a great series to reboot.

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    1. Unfortunately, others haven't been quite so impressed - box office dud so far.

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  11. Your review is spot on and I think the biggest thing going against it is that it's sandwiched between two big spy movies: Mission Impossible and James Bond. I enjoyed it and included your link in our link list today!: http://bit.ly/1Vid7Z2

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