‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ Review

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a reboot hit.

Reboots these days are a dime a dozen, not to mention that most of them never really work out in the first place. It’s for these reasons that The Man From U.N.C.L.E. doesn’t initially strike me as a good idea from the get-go. I mean, we are talking about a 60s-esque crime caper with Bond-lookalikes and corny one-liners… Nevertheless, after giving it a fair shot, I am oddly pleased to tell you all that I was seriously mistaken.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. follows the unlikely pairing of American CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and Russian KGB detective Illya Kuryakin Armie Hammer), as they are forced to reconcile their seemingly obvious differences for the sake of the Cold War. Together, the two operatives attempt to crack down a tight-lipped nuclear missile setup in Italy under the control of Nazi-advocates Alexander and Victoria Vinciguerra. They also gain the support and accompaniment of Gabby Teller (Alicia Vikander), the daughter of a missing German rocket scientist who is believed to have had a major hand in nuclear warhead assembly throughout the World War II era. The trio travel to Rome and go undercover in a last-chance attempt to slow down the arms race and possibly save the world from future Nazi-entanglement.

What makes The Man From U.N.C.L.E. so worthwhile is that it appears to be more of a period piece rather than your typical summer action-comedy blockbuster. Director Guy Ritchie embraces the retro look and feel of 1960s Europe almost to the pinpoint, from the furniture to the cars to even the everyday outfits of the general bystanders. Thanks to such incredible set design, this film is slick and visually appealing from start to finish.

However, what also brings out the best in U.N.C.L.E. is its incredibly strong plotline and even stronger script. Sure, there are the stereotypical one-liners that fill the spaces in-between. Yet, these catchphrase moments are met with dry humor, making the blend actually hit the mark on a very consistent basis. That, mixed with the persistent suspense that comes with every twist and turn in Solo and Kuryakin’s mission, leaves the audience questioning who to trust throughout the whole 116-minute running time. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, with the occasional belly laugh to the floor.

Overall, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a really fun night out to the local movie theater. You laugh, you gasp, and you even find some sense of reality in it all. Furthermore, if there’s anything to take away from it all, it’s that maybe reboots aren’t such a bad idea after all. Just as long as Hollywood continues to make them like THIS.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is playing locally in and around Montclair! Some theaters include AMC Essex Green Cinema 9 in West Orange, AMC Clifton Commons 16, and even AMC Loews Wayne 14.  For show times, a list of even more theaters, and ticket purchases, visit fandango.com.

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