Movie Review - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. **½ (out of 5) (PG-13) Those old enough to remember the 1964-68 TV series about this pan-governmental spy agency, featuring US and Russian spooks partnered against the sort of evildoers and organizations James Bond faced will be surprised by this new origins story. Not in a good way. Set in the early 1960s, we learn a version of how Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn then, Henry Cavill now) met Ilya Kuryakin (David McCallum first, Armie Hammer here) as an enemy, immediately before both were ordered by their nations to cooperate in finding a nuclear scientist who may be helping a wealthy neo-Nazi group. The mission could force one to whack the other, since both superpowers craved exclusive control of the doc’s technology which could tip the balance of power their way.

What we get is a two-hour period spy adventure with little similarity to its TV roots. This Cavill’s Solo is about as suave as Vaughn’s, but Hammer is a big lug with none of McCallum’s charm. The series’ thread of wry humor beneath its action is largely missing here. The era is accurately represented in terms of Cold War hostilities and distrust, making the film a reminder for some and a history lesson for others. Less appealing is the low-definition visual dimension, compared to the crisp images we get in most action films - like the Mission Impossible franchise. This one looks as if it was shot on film stock left over from the ‘60s, or geared to the TV sets of that era. Arty perhaps, but less visceral. Making a movie about our Civil War doesn’t require filming in sepia tones for “authenticity”.

The plot is complicated and twisty enough to make the proceedings among several exotic European settings fairly interesting. But the stars have nothing resembling chemistry to make us like them individually or as a team for the sequels they’re obviously hoping to generate. Sources indicate neither gent was even close to first choice for his role. It shows. The TV series never bothered with airing an episode of its heroes’ backstories. This film answers a question no one ever asked, borrowing the premise for a new entity that may not last beyond its debut. (8/14/15)