The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) - Something Stylish, Something Simple,and Something New

Written and Directed by Guy Ritchie (RocknRolla)

Starring:

Henry Cavill (Stardust)

Armie Hammer (Reaper)

Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina)

Jared Harris (Fringe)

Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby)

Hugh Grant (Love, Actually)

The Appeal  .

Watch this movie if you’re a fan of Guy Ritchie. Expect a highly active screen experience with a ballistic-yet-delicately precise action. Ritchie manages to stir memories of his previous works like "RocknRolla" (2008), "Sherlock Holmes" (2009), and especially Snatch. (2000), while expanding his signature whirlwind blend of sounds, editing, and action to the espionage game. 

Cinematographer John Mathieson brings the same gorgeous lensing brought to previous films like "X-Men: First Class," "Gladiator," "Kingdom of Heaven," and "Phantom of the Opera." The sweeping motions and vivid vitality in the shots refuse to let the film get bogged down by all the spy jargon. 

Ushered in by vibrant posters featuring bold, contrasting colors, and trailers employing fantastic wails of excitement atop jumping vehicles and gun toting stuntmen (Side note: we also witness the obnoxious new trend of trailers including the final shot in a film, looking at you "Birdman!"), you should expect to be treated to a dazzling spectacle of violence, espionage, and visual humor that all propel a theme of trust despite prejudices.

Personally, Henry Cavill still holds plenty of good grace from his earlier roles in "The Count of Monte Cristo" (2002) and "Stardust" (2007). If you saw that same potential I did, that charm he is capable of bringing, then you will be fairly pleased. Once dubbed the unluckiest man in Hollywood, Cavill is finally given a role with the edginess he was denied in Immortals  (2011) and a suave charisma they kept in check during Man of Steel 2013).

Sharing the screen with Cavill is another actor that hasn’t had the greatest luck in his post break-out roles. Illya Kuryakin allows us to revel in the specimen that is Armie Hammer in a way "The Lone Ranger" (2013) aggressively ignored. Funnily enough, director Tarsem (Immortals, Mirror Mirror) is responsible for mishandling each of these men.  

We also have an interesting trend arising regarding a beloved romantic comedy. First it was Liam Neeson’s ascension to action superstardom which is represented this year by "Run All Night" and "Taken 3." Andrew Lincoln is still wreaking havoc on zombies. Earlier this year saw Colin Firth rampage a church full of ne'er-do-wells. Now, we have Hugh Grant deposited in this adventure. Some grand pact of violence was made on the set of "Love Actually" (2003) to throw down on screen 12 years and here they all are.  

The Analysis  .

An alarmingly unique blitz of action that Ritchie's team of editors manage inject into each set piece was the real stand out here. Much like that cut-and-done sex scene in "RocknRolla," U.N.C.L.E. gives us something common with a unique delivery. In this case, a tactical raid is portrayed with an audacious cut-and-slide style and leads into an exceptional zoom-heavy chase sequence. Each feels completely new. They catch you off guard and keep you actively engaged in the action. No willy-nilly gun battles here.

"The Man from U.N.C.L.E." is just rewards for the two leading men who've previously been deposited in forgettable roles and lazy stories.

Cavill boasts confidence, class, and GASP personality! By George, they did it! And Hammer is finally allowed to deliver on the promise he showed in "The Social Network" (2010). A win for deserving actors is a win for the audience.

This is a movie that takes every step necessary to distinguish itself from the explosive hyper-adrenaline action we are witnessing left at right in films like the "M:I" and "Fast" franchises. This is a movie that knows when to change pace, where certain tropes are expected, and when to hold true to the classics. With that knowledge, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." comes across as fresher than the material would suggest.  

Lastly, we must must must praise the score. As "Sherlock Holmes" before it, Ritchie’s film is a practice in auditory immersion. Daniel Pemberton's high pitched score is particular, resonant, and very genre appropriate. Featuring an audible arsenal that employs a jazzy power-flute last heard in Snatch., paired with a snazzy percussive onslaught, it distinctively belongs to this film while conjuring that classic espionage sound.

Despite none of the other cast standing out (or being given the appropriate amount of screen time when they do *cough* Hugh Grant *cough*), they can afford to be presented as such within the straight forward spy story whose main goal is to shine a light on two handsome faces. The supporting cast does capably fill their genre roles and are given a decent human touch by the narrative. Sadly, they are somehow uniformly mismanaged. The script is rather trigger happy. 

While this is a reboot of an old 1960s show, it tells a tale the show glanced over. The box office may suggest there won't be, but should there be a sequel, it will certainly have more room for everyone to shine.

The lead female role of Gaby (played by Alicia Vikander) is fairly fleshed out and she is given an active arc with just a hint of a "manic-pixie-dream-girl" in her. That’s great. Sadly, she and the main villain (played by Elizabeth Debicki) are saddled with typical limitations for female characters. They need to wait on others for anything to really happen. In a year where films like "Kingsman: The Secret Service" and "Mad Max: Fury Road" have shown that villainy, heroics, skill, and competence can transcend gender within cinematic action, "U.N.C.L.E." couldn't quite go all the way. Decent attempt, though.

Another negative that is a bit more glaring is a seeming lack of diversity in the cast. It doesn't, however, come across as malicious on the filmmaker's part, it fits in with the setting, after all. (Diversity is another area where "Kingsman" had a leg up.)

The story does hiccup in living up to the title. This is a hardcore origin story firmly about the creation of U.N.C.L.E. We have to wait till next time for any real structured fun from the titular organization, leaving Hugh Grant exceedingly jealous of Colin Firth's luck with "Kingsman."

The Judgment  .

What we have here is an odd couple that steadily but quickly and, most importantly, organically, grows fond of each other. The pace of the central duo's friendship is key but it doesn't get rushed, nor does it lag. (See: "The Lone Ranger", "The Heat," "The Green Hornet") We are rooting for both sides to get along. This is good for everyone. This joviality leads to a highly entertaining film: one that is stylish, kinetic, witty, and boasts leads with believable adversarial chemistry. An intriguing question now arises: who is the more exciting director between Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughn? (The answer, of course, is Edgar Wright)

2015 Rankdown  .

1.         Kingsman: The Secret Service****

2.       Mad Max: Fury Road***

3.       The Man from UNCLE****

4.       Ant-Man***

5.       Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation***

6.       Me and Earl and the Dying Girl*

7.       Jurassic World***

8.       Avengers: Age of Ultron****

9.       Furious 7***

10.   Shaun the Sheep*

11.       Spy***

12.      Inside Out**

13.      Kung Fury**

14.      Predestination*

15.      Run All Night*

16.      Dope

17.       Terminator: Genisys*

18.       Paddington*

19.      Jupiter Ascending

20.    Fantastic Four

21.       What We Do In the Shadows

22.     The Gift

23.     Slow West

24.     Ex Machina

25.     Pixels*

26.    Inherent Vice

27.     Mortdecai

(*denoted rewatchability)