The Plot: Two rival agents—the flamboyant Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) of the CIA and temperamental Illya Kuryakin of the KGB—are forced to work together in order to save the world from nuclear threats. They’re helped by the daughter of a missing scientist, Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander), and the trio are whisked off to charming Italy where an aristocratic family, controlled by ice queen Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki), are suspected to be the brains behind the case.
The Problem: I wanted to like this film so bad: with a promising start (an exciting and creative car chase along the streets of Berlin) and striking visuals set in the 60s (and I love it when a director makes an effort to make an opening credit ala Spielberg in Catch Me if You Can and many other movies before it), but then the subsequent proceeding fell rather flat and dull due to lack of complexities in terms of plot and character development (script is credited to Ritchie and Lionel Wigram who also wrote for Sherlock Holmes). Shame, really, because the presence of spunky Vikander, regal Debicki, and stoic yet brewing within with comedic-material anger Hammer tries to elevate the material and outshine Guy Ritchie’s trademark stylish direction. Chiselled Cavill is fine but often he rested on charms alone, and for some viewers—especially the ladies—that might be enough.
The Bottom Line: But, hey, why focus on the problem, right? I admire Ritchie’s always reliable direction and there are two action scenes that excites and entertains. The costumes are retro cool (kudos to costume designer Joanna Johnston who looked for inspiration to 60’s era Pucci and Pierre Cardin) and Ritchie isn’t shy in portraying his two protagonists as metrosexuals who knows their Chanel. But for performances I am more impressed with Aussie Elizabeth Debicki who might be the next chameleonic actress since she’s hardly recognizable from her last starring role as Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby. Looking forward to this 25-year-old career choices in the future.
Last Thought: Though I love old TV series but it seems I missed The Man from U.N.C.L.E from my childhood (I don’t think there’s reruns of it on TV) but I am curious how this movie version might evolve if Ritchie is given the chance to make a follow up. (Though to poor reception and dismal opening numbers at the box office I highly doubt it.) It is kind of an “origin” story and the namesake—U.N.C.L.E, btw, is an acronym for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement—is only mentioned at the end of the story, promising more exciting adventures to come. I’d say, Yes, please! but only studio executives can tell...
Last Thought #2: I really hope Armie Hammer will still be given the chance to star in a blockbuster: his tall build and deep voice makes him a great leading man (a superhero, perhaps?). Many critics might point out the failure of Lone Ranger and, possibly this movie but I’d say those failures rested on the quality of the movie itself.
The Problem: I wanted to like this film so bad: with a promising start (an exciting and creative car chase along the streets of Berlin) and striking visuals set in the 60s (and I love it when a director makes an effort to make an opening credit ala Spielberg in Catch Me if You Can and many other movies before it), but then the subsequent proceeding fell rather flat and dull due to lack of complexities in terms of plot and character development (script is credited to Ritchie and Lionel Wigram who also wrote for Sherlock Holmes). Shame, really, because the presence of spunky Vikander, regal Debicki, and stoic yet brewing within with comedic-material anger Hammer tries to elevate the material and outshine Guy Ritchie’s trademark stylish direction. Chiselled Cavill is fine but often he rested on charms alone, and for some viewers—especially the ladies—that might be enough.
The Bottom Line: But, hey, why focus on the problem, right? I admire Ritchie’s always reliable direction and there are two action scenes that excites and entertains. The costumes are retro cool (kudos to costume designer Joanna Johnston who looked for inspiration to 60’s era Pucci and Pierre Cardin) and Ritchie isn’t shy in portraying his two protagonists as metrosexuals who knows their Chanel. But for performances I am more impressed with Aussie Elizabeth Debicki who might be the next chameleonic actress since she’s hardly recognizable from her last starring role as Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby. Looking forward to this 25-year-old career choices in the future.
Last Thought: Though I love old TV series but it seems I missed The Man from U.N.C.L.E from my childhood (I don’t think there’s reruns of it on TV) but I am curious how this movie version might evolve if Ritchie is given the chance to make a follow up. (Though to poor reception and dismal opening numbers at the box office I highly doubt it.) It is kind of an “origin” story and the namesake—U.N.C.L.E, btw, is an acronym for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement—is only mentioned at the end of the story, promising more exciting adventures to come. I’d say, Yes, please! but only studio executives can tell...
Last Thought #2: I really hope Armie Hammer will still be given the chance to star in a blockbuster: his tall build and deep voice makes him a great leading man (a superhero, perhaps?). Many critics might point out the failure of Lone Ranger and, possibly this movie but I’d say those failures rested on the quality of the movie itself.