The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

MeTV plays the 1960's TV series with Robert Vaughn and David McCallum, but it's not necessary to watch it to enjoy director Guy Ritchie's version which he wrote with Lionel Wigram. Ritchie is no stranger to high octane action films with snarky characters and a graphic novel visuals set in 60's “mod” period clothing, cars and set decoration. The movie veers from the TV show by exploring the beginning of the spy partnership of the lead characters. It also helps that the cast is not only talented but genetically blessed.

Superman's Henry Cavill plays Napoleon Solo, a once art thief who is recruited by the CIA due to his particular skill set. He's dashing and damper as they say, with a blase aloof attitude, eyes of a shark and a way with women. He's sent behind the Berlin Wall to extract Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander) who is not only a good car mechanic, she is the daughter of a nuclear scientist who was working with the Americans but has disappeared. KGB's Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) is also after the same person, and basically on the same mission. Gaby's father is working on a new weapon that will spell the end of the world, of course. The two once cold war enemies decide to collaborate with their agents to find the scientist and thwart the plans of a mysterious international crime organization with Nazi ties led by Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki) and her playboy husband Alexander (Luca Calvani).

There is an animosity between Napoleon, who always maintains his cool demeanor and Illya who can't seem to keep his anger in check. Illya is just as skilled as Napoleon and the story follows their rivalry. Gaby's cover is to be Illya's fiancée when they go to visit her Uncle Rudi (Sylvester Groth) who owns the shipping company run by Victoria. While Solo has to get close to Victoria being, an unsurprisingly, an art thief. There are lots of action sequences, pussy footing, flirting, bickering. It's a fizzy sort of confection bordering on camp but not quite as slap stick as Get Smart. This seems to be a tent pole movie to set up for a series for the continuing adventures of the team that has just been formed under the umbrella of United Network Command for Law and Enforcement better known as U.N.C.L.E. Their new boss Mr. Waverly is played by Hugh Grant looking older and grainier, but still chipper. Cavill and Hammer give it their all, but it's Vikander who steals the movie from the both of them. Her screen presence so effective in Ex Machina proves once again, she is the next big thing.
(Review by reesa)