Guy Ritchie gets it right again in his latest film, The Man from U.N.C.L.E [Review]
A Guy Ritchie film usually promises smooth-talking gentlemen, witty dialogue and a clever plot; The Man from UNCLE, doesn't disappoint.
Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) is an American thief-turned-CIA agent. Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer) is a Russian KGB agent; the opening scene has them trying to kill each other.
Enter mechanic Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander). Her father is a brilliant scientist who has gone missing, and both America and USSR fear he has been captured by a wealthy criminal (Elizabeth Debicki) and forced to make a nuclear bomb. The trio must find him and stop any weapons getting into the wrong hands.
Cavill portrays Solo perfectly; he is almost Bond-like, but with a slightly more devious side. Hammer provides comic relief, and his antagonistic relationship with Solo is very entertaining.
The star of the cast is Vikander, who brings charm and wit to her role; well-timed body language and smouldering expressions mean she dominates every scene.
You expect some action in a spy film, but there are some frustratingly over-the-top scenes here. Then again, this reminds us that the film's strengths lie in its quirks and characters.
Overall, this is a well-executed film that teases the stereotypes of the genre; it's a refreshing break from the summer's blockbusters.