“There are only two masters in this world: fear and pain.”
– Uncle Rudi
SYNOPSIS: In the 1960s with the Cold War in play, CIA agent Napoleon Solo successfully helps Gaby Teller defect to West Germany despite the intimidating opposition of KGB agent Illya Kuryakin. Later, all three unexpectedly find themselves working together in a joint mission to stop a private criminal organization from using Gaby’s father’s scientific expertise to construct their own nuclear bomb. Through clenched teeth and stylish poise, all three must find a way to cooperate for the sake of world peace, even as they each pursue their own agendas. – via IMDB
Ah, this! This was incredibly entertaining! I expected to enjoy it because it looked really good, plus Henry Cavill (I mean seriously now, as if Guy Ritchie’s name wasn’t draw enough), and because of the era. I am fascinated by the WWII era and the Cold War aftermath. This movie was so much more than I was hoping it would be.
Let’s start with Henry Cavill’s Napoleon Solo and Armie Hammer’s Illya Kuryakin. The two worked together phenomenally – so much great chemistry there and they dominated every time they were together on screen. Their constant one-upmanship and little skirmishes were dead entertaining, and how they are similar and yet polar opposites of one another never ceased to entertain me. Solo just oozes charm and is suave, collected and very slick, whereas Illya has a volatile temper that can barely be kept in check, and is so patriotic you cannot help but smile and definitely has quite a set of morals set in stone.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is stylish to boot, and it looks amazing. I mean all of it. The outfits were fantastic and Cavill and Hammer were simply delicious, not to mention Vikander thrown into the mix, too. I was a big fan of the way that the whole arms race of the Cold War was not forgotten, as Solo and Kuryakin constantly throw their respective technology in on another’s faces the whole time as being more superior to the other’s. Each has something that is better, and it is hilarious to see this. I like how those little things were brought in. They were at odds the whole way through. A particular scene that I enjoyed involved a motorboat and a picnic – it was brilliant!
Alicia Vikander was, again, worth a watch, and I really did like to see how she and Armie played off of one another – awkward when necessary, just a little haughty, undoubtedly attracted to each other, it just worked so well. Really good chemistry. In fact, they drove me mad at the best of times. The cast was actually exceptionally good for the film. The story is simple, no super fancy frills and not nearly as complicated as other Ritchie plots are known to be, but it was fun and simple and came together nicely. I know that the movie brings nothing new to the table, I know that it isn’t revolutionary or anything like that, but it is fun, and it is entertaining, and it is well worth a watch, just once at least. If you nitpick and expect something super serious, you are likely going to miss what makes this a simple joy to watch.
The Sporadic Chronicles 
Great review Bestie!!! Such a great film. I also discovered I have a thing for Russian accents. And OMG the tension. I just wanted to kiss everyone to get it out of the air!
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Thanks my fairest! I had inordinate amounts of fun with this. I expected it to be good, but had no idea it would be this great! UGH, it drove me INSANE!
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Oh hell yes. This movie was SO much fun! I completely approve of the 8.5 rating! 😀
Like you said, nothing much revolutionary about the story itself but it’s presentation, both in the form of the acting and visual presentation – how cool was that use of the split-screen when Napoleon and Ilya infiltrated the villains lair? (Can’t think of a better way to describe that part, that sounds kind of lame lol, like in Austin Powers).
This movie may be seeing Guy Ritchie moving ever closers to more generic, big-budget blockbuster filmmaking, but if he’s gonna make movies this much fun, I’m perfectly OK with it.
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YAAAAAAAAAY! I am so glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did Tom! It was just entertaining as hell and came together so well! It was super cool 🙂
I agree with you there, definitely moving away from what he is renowned for, but it was so stylish that I am alright with it!
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Definitely owning this on DVD soon.
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I’m watching this as soon as I can. Stellar review Zoe, can’t wait to see it.
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Yes, yes and yes! I wasn’t excited for this one at all but when I watched it I fell in love instantly for all the reasons you’ve said. Since then I’ve read quite a few not very positive reviews so I’m so happy to have read this!
– Allie
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Hi Allie! I am glad to hear you liked it so much as well! I was actually reading the review on your site yesterday xD It was one of the other only positive ones I have read since I saw it, which is disappointing because I thought it was a really good watch!
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Hey I’m glad you liked it. I really think this is a movie that was unfairly brushed aside here in the States. I found it to be fun and stylish and I had a really good time with it.
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I am so happy to hear you liked it so much as well! I thought it was great, so I was really surprised when I read all the negative feedback on it afterwards. Pity, I hope that doesn’t stop a sequel!
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Really enjoyed this one too. It had a wonderful pace and the mustaches were glorious.
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Yay! It was so fun!
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Hmm. Sounds like one I should check out sometime. 🙂 But Henry Cavill is too attractive. Alicia Vikander too. There’s too much “attractive” in this movie. That gives me a headache!
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You should! I hope you enjoy it. No really, there was too much gorgeous going on all round hahaha!
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This was fun and it’s a shame that it underperformed, likely killing the chances of a sequel.
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😦 What a pity!
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Wow. I really thought this was kind of “whatever” film. Yes, it looks good, people, set, costumes but it’s so empty. Pity because I thought Vikander and Hammer played well together. I don’t get Cavill’s appeal. Of course I can see it but where’s the charisma?
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Yeah, this film seemed to be either hit or miss, and wasn’t well received. Pity because I thought it was super fun! Hehehe. They were great together. Cavill? Hmmmmm, there’s oodles of charm there! I am a big fan, but different strokes for different folks keeps us diverse and interesting I reckon 😀
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True, true. Maybe I should watch this again and see if I like it more.
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I finally got around to seeing it and I enjoyed the hell out of it. So much fun.
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