Rating of
2.5/4
Maybe a Little Too Restrained
Unknown - wrote on 08/15/15
'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' is a surprisingly restrained, yet stylish, old-school spy flick from Guy Ritchie. The director's penchant for fast-talking heavy accented criminals and slo-motion visuals is less apparent here. However, his witty character interactions and vibrant cinematography are still very much intact. Great attention to detail helps harken back to the spy films and television shows of the 60's. It's an accurately nostalgic presentation. The plot and characters feel very reminiscent of that era, as well. Focus is maintained on the dynamic between the three main players. Cavill, Hammer, and Vikander's scenes together are fun. Their forced cooperation and eventual team building is justified through each individual being a reliable asset. They also have many sharp witted dialogues, some of which toss around sexual innuendos without strong emphasis. These were the best parts. The rest is serviceable, but not too memorable. I wish more attention was put into the action scenes. Only a small amount show up and they lacked involvement. I appreciated the restraint from more bombastic bouts, but at the same time I was left unfulfilled by the overall execution. The beginning car chase was definitely the highlight. This made the fun of watching the movie start and stop, for me. There's a few dead spots. Two big jokes in the movie didn't mesh with the tone, either. Certain areas felt a little too subdued for the type of experience being emulated. 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' has all the right elements, it just needs an extra push. Still a fine watch, regardless.
