Codename U.N.C.L.E.

I've never seen the original TV series (I feel obliged to offer some preface in these matters) but damn, there's just something so refreshing about "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.". Not just as a genre movie, which sets itself apart from modern spy fare with a certain restraint towards its action scenes (even the torture is unconventional), but as a '60s throwback. It creates a stylized Cold War setting, and it's one I totally wouldn't mind returning to; I love that Morricone/Schifrin score.

The main cast (Cavill, Hammer and Vikander) shares a great chemistry and just seems to fit. This is another reason there should be a sequel. I mean, really, if there are two Sherlock Holmes movies, we deserve at least one more U.N.C.L.E.

Some of Guy Ritchie's movies I do love, and this is one of them.

8/10

I love this movie so much. The first time I watched it with a friend, we jumped back in the movie so many times to rewatch all our favourite parts over and over again. I've watched it a couple of times, and I still like it so so much. I've always liked spy movies. Growing up watching Bond. This movie is fun and clever and it's just a great movie. I might just go and rewatch it right now actually.

Yes, I know this review is stupid positive. But when you find a movie that you can enjoy without finding any big mistakes or things you get annoyed about, you just have to feel happy.

This film is set in the early sixties and opens in East Berlin as CIA agent Napoleon Solo attempts to extract a German woman, Gaby Teller. Her father had worked for the Nazi missile programme before being taken to the United States; now he has gone missing and is presumed to be working for a group that will make atomic bombs for anybody who will pay them. A Soviet agent, Ilya Kuryakin, who is clearly highly skilled, tries to stop them but is ultimately unsuccessful. Shortly afterward, in West Berlin, the three of them are reunited and they are told that they will be working together in a joint US/USSR mission. Travelling to Rome, with Ilya posing as Gaby's fiancé and Napoleon posing as a thief they make contact with Gaby's uncle and attempt to find her father and infiltrate the criminal organisation.

As a child I enjoyed watched repeats of the original TV show so was a little unsure about watching this new version. I needn't have worried. As it tells a story of Napoleon and Ilya's first mission together no prior knowledge of the characters is needed. The early scenes to a fine job of introducing the key characters and their mission. The action gets started early and continues throughout; it is exciting without being gory... in fact the style reminded me of early Bond films but with the level of humour turned up. The humour was unforced and didn't get in the way of the story. Everything about the film adds to the sixties feel without it becoming a pastiche. The cast is solid with Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer impressing as Napoleon and Ilya respectively and Alicia Vikander delighting as Gaby. Elizabeth Debicki also does a fine job as antagonist Victoria Vinciguerra. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of lighter '60s spy thrillers; it captures the feel and delivers laughs and excitement... along with a few good twists.

From the soundtrack, to the settings, costumes, characters, and action, the man from UNCLE is an exciting and classy action movie. It takes the bond formula and recreates it through Guy Richie's unmistakable lens.

I honestly think Napoleon Solo (one of the main characters, an American Spy) was a perfect role for Henry Cavill, who knocked it out of the park... an Archer-esque, suave, witty charmer/womanizer. The same can be said of Armie Hammer and Alicia Vikander's characters

This is a witty, lighthearted, and funny movie and seriously underrated. It is definitely a go-to relax and enjoy movie for me

Gimmicky Director Guy Ritchie is on full Restraint in this Reboot of the Popular 1960's TV Show. Deliberately making a Movie that Bucks postmodern Trends and audience Expectations.

It's a Smoothy of a Groovy Movie as it takes its Time presenting Action Scenes with Screen Time that allows the Brain to take in what the Eye Sees, and what the Eye Sees is a Beautifully Crafted Film that not only takes place in the Sixties, but could have been a Movie Edited in the Sixties.

Elegant, Frothy, and full of Eye Candy that often times looks like Magazine Ads and just as Glossy. There is no shortage of Beautiful People on Screen as Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill, and Alicia Vikander try to find a Nuclear Scientist that has been Kidnapped, before He can Deliver a Device.

It's standard Cold War Stuff and the Movie handles it Cool. It is a welcome Breather from the Hyper-Ness of other Franchise, Super-Hero, Spy Stuff and Audiences should be Prepared for the Change.

Because Frankly it is quite a Different way to Present This type of thing Today and the Knee-Jerk reaction is to Reject its deliberate Style. But it mostly works as one can see the Pendulum Swinging Back to another Era in the way Movies were made and Enjoyed.

It's Retro in the purist Sense and deserves Kudos for giving it a try, because it isn't a Given that this Type of Thing will be Accepted. Overall, if one gets the Vibe, it can be a pleasant Diversion and a Delightful Experience if nothing more than a Contrast to Current expectations.