The Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie review

If you are into spy thrillers, you will agree with me that the best stories of espionage are set during the Cold War and World War II's Campaign in Europe. What makes it interesting because the two enemies belong to the same ethnicity. The opposing forces slip their agents and can act like normal citizen in their field of operations.

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is adapted from the TV series of the same name back in 1964. It stars Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin. What makes this movie interesting was the team-up of two agents from super-power nations. Despite the tension between two countries, the series made a hero out of Kuryakin.

Even though this is an adaptation, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. already had a theatrical releases with some episodes adapted to the silver screen. The last one was a TV movie The Return of Man from U.N.C.L.E.  for their reunion in 1983. Here's a trivia, James Bond creator Ian Fleming serves as consultant for the series. As a tribute, George Lazenby, who played James Bond once in the movie"On Her Majesty's Secret Service", made an appearance driving an Aston-Martin is identified only as "J.B." I remember watching the series on a local UHF channel for baby boomer audience.

Director Guy Richie adapted this series like what he did with Sherlock Holmes. I am glad he didn't change the time period because it won't be interesting and applicable in present time. The movie also has that feeling that it's a movie from the 60's because of the color's substance in the movie.

For the casting, let's start with Henry Cavill who plays CIA agent Napoleon Solo. He makes the character more appealing than his predecessor but it's hard to see him without thinking of Man Of Steel and he sounds British.

The breakthrough in this movie was Armin Hammer who played KGB agent Illya Kuryakin. Not only that he resembles David McCallum but he also redeemed himself from his previous roles in The Lone Ranger and Mirror, Mirror.

I like how Guy Richie added a new character for U.N.C.L.E. Even though Gabby Teller is not the Girl From U.N.C.L.E.( spin-off series), Alicia Vikander provides a balance to the story to make it more inclusive to the present audience. I first saw Elizabeth Debicki in the latest adaptation of The Great Gatsby and I really find her classy as well as appealing. She also shows that her character can be villainous and classy at the same time.

I never thought I'd see the day where Hugh Grant will be in an action movie. He plays Alexander Waverly, the Number One or head of Section One codenamed U.N.C.L.E. He may not be the operative but he will call the shots.

I watched it earlier this week at SM IMAX cinema at Megamall. I didn't notice anything that will give any sensation to my sights but watching it on a big screen than a regular 2D cinema is just as fine. For the story, it is not adapted to any of the original stories from the series. But what makes it appealing was that it adds humor and the musical score is great and suited for the setting.

I am looking forward to U.N.C.L.E. to have a sequel and hopefully T.H.R.U.S.H. will also debut next time. For more geeky movie reviews, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.