The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Country: USA

Movie Review: Guy Ritchie’s “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” is an espionage action film with comedic touches based on the 1960’s TV series of the same name created by Sam Rolfe. Far from the congruous entertainment delivered in the beginning of his directorial career (“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch”), Mr. Ritchie manifestly embarks here in an artful scheme of style over substance that keeps storming him for some time now. The story, revealing a disastrous ineptitude to captivate, describes a conjoint mission between the CIA and the KGB to dismantle a menacing Nazi operation. Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill), a former con turned agent spy, represents the CIA, while KGB relies on the robust Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer). Despite their divergences and not without some protests, both agents agree to track down a missing Nazi scientist who used to be an informer for the US Government. To accomplish the mission they will need the help of the scientist’s daughter, Gaby (Alicia Vikander), whose uncle, Rudi (Sylvester Groth), a scoundrel Nazi with a knack for torture, may be the answer. Rudi works for a shipping company owned by a couple, the Vinciguerras, whose past is also associated with evil Nazi maneuvers. With the intention of making it even more international, we also have the presence of a British agent, Waverly (Hugh Grant), who secretly gives a little hand in the case. The screenwriters, Lionel Wigram and Ritchie, inject a few bustling scenes that are nothing more than inconsequentially fabricated situations sprouting very limited fun. It’s all too obvious and jerky and considerably unfunny and familiar. The filmmaker should be aware that energy is vital, but not everything in the genre, when deciding for procedures that just make the film falling into a disoriented spin of mind-numbing boat and car chases, gunshots, and last-minute rescues. The performances are colorless and the score introduces an inauspicious variety of flavors that denigrate the scenes even more.