A Little Nerd Music
  • Articles
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Us
  • Store

A Little Nerd Music

Two friends. One podcast. Countless opinions.

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (SPOILER FREE) REVIEW

11/10/2015

0 Comments

 
Many apologies, but I actually wrote this review about two months ago and never got around to posting it in the mayhem that was CHOC Walk and real life.  But the movie is coming out on DVD next week.  Think  of this as your prep to decide if you're going to rent it or not.

​What Is It: The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is based on the 1960s NBC television series staring Robert Vaughn and David McCallum.  The character of Napoleon Solo (played by Vaughn in the television series and Henry Cavill in this adaptation) was conceived by James Bond creator Ian Fleming.  Another fun fact?  The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is technically a sequel to the original Sherlock Holmes stories, as U.N.C.L.E.'s arch-nemesis (T.H.R.U.S.H.) was founded by Sebastian Moran following the death of Professor Moriarty.

This film works as the origin story for both U.N.C.L.E. and the partnership of CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (portrayed by David McCallum on television and Armie Hammer in the film).  The rights to the film were initially purchased in 1993, but passed through the hands of many directors and screenwriters before ending up in the care of Guy Ritchie.  It was finally released on August 14, 2015.

My Experience: I saw it in a relatively empty theater (are theaters ever full aside from midnight showings anymore?).  Often to my embarrassment, some of the comedic moments didn't quite land with the other people I was sharing the theater with.  I did find the experience enjoyable overall.  The film was entertaining with bright pleasing visuals.  Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer both have charisma to spare and their easy chemistry makes up for anything lacking when it comes to plot lines.

Why You Should See It:  While most films of the spy genre have gone the way of over the top action sequences and dark intellectual back stories, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. embraces the cheesiness of the genre it comes from.  It sticks to the original 1960s setting.  In the way few can do, Guy Ritchie is able to make the setting feel modernly retro rather than just old.  Even Cavill's American accent seems drawn mostly from 60s television.  It's a fun film and definitely a good way to spend an evening.

The Future: All involved in the film definitely appear eager to turn the film into a franchise, but whether or not this happens remains up in the air.  Next year we will see Guy Ritchie's version of the King Arthur legend on the big screen.  Armie Hammer has three films coming up (The Birth of a Nation, Free Fire, and Nocturnal Animals).  Henry Cavill will be appearing on the big screen next in a little film called Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  You might have heard of it.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Post Type

    All
    3 Questions
    Admin
    Awards Show Predictions
    Breaking News
    CHOC Walk
    Comic Con
    Discussion
    Entertainment Pick Of The Week
    Episode Post
    Exclusive Video
    Fandom Academy Awards
    Fandom Emmy Awards
    Fandom Friday
    From Christina
    From Grace
    From Kelly
    Fun Stuff
    Interview
    Love Your Fandom
    Music Monday
    Original ALNM Articles
    Purchase Of The Week
    Recommendations
    Review
    Ship Bracket
    Submission
    Teen Wolf Wednesdays
    Television Pick Of The Week
    Throwback Thursday
    Top Five
    Top Ten Tuesday
    Weekly Poll
    What I Watched This Weekend

    Archives

    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    August 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014

    RSS Feed

Header artwork and cohost profile portraits on the website created by Caroline Layne
  • Articles
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Us
  • Store