Review of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) by Foxgrove — 17 Aug 2015

A stylish but rather empty reboot of the classic 60’s series that is entertaining enough to keep one watching but never really excites. The jokey tone is set early and indulged by its two very handsome leading men, but they strangely lack any chemistry. Henry Cavill as the swathe Napoleon Solo tries way too hard as the American art thief and comes off as far too knowing. Armie Hammer fares better as the Russian KGB operative Illya Kuryakin, but is equally lacking in charisma. Ironically the film also stars Hugh Grant who twenty years ago would have made a perfect Napoleon Solo. Here, however, relegated to a less showy, albeit important, supporting role he hardly registers. On the distaff side the currently hot Alicia Vikander is ok, but the best performance to be had comes from ice cool villainess Elizabeth Debicki. The forced humour is occasionally successful in hitting its mark and two scenes in particular stand out. The first has Solo indulging himself in food and wine whilst a speed boat chase is taking place around him and the second involves an electrocution. Both are perfectly timed and genuinely amusing.

The film looks great in all production departments; cinematography, Art-Direction and costume design and the location work is stunning. The plot is occasionally indecipherable and full of holes but strangely enough, unlike the latest Mission Impossible outing, the film is never boring. Another asset is the playful score which adds immeasurably to the class of the film and is just fantastic.