The Man from U.N.C.L.E - Guy Ritchies's gangsters across the pond
Ben Cottingham | 20th August 2015
Photo credit: Twitter
‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E’ is Guy Ritchie’s latest cinema outing, the latest since 2011’s Sherlock Holmes; most know Ritchie for his British Gangster films, such as ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, ‘Snatch’, or ‘RocknRolla’, and I for one was eagerly anticipating the release of his latest film.
Based on the 1964 TV series of the same name, the film follows American ex-black-market-dealer-super-spy Napoleon Solo (COOLEST NAME EVER) and Russian greatest (and most sociopathic) KGB agent, Illya Kuryakin, played by Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer respectively. These are the two actors that carry the film, and they do so with charm and wit. As ever Ritchie dances the fine line between comedy and serious action, one particular scene that comes to mind involves an electric chair and Nazi-torturer… There is also humour in the tension between the two lead characters, the charisma and smooth-operations of the American clashing with the abrasive and aggressive Russian in a delightful way.
As well as these comic elements (much like Ritchie’s Brit-Gangster flicks) there is plenty on the action front! From fistfights, to car chases, to boat chases, to missile launches, to safe cracking to pulling a tablecloth away without breaking a glass (Cavill actually did this… very impressive).
The pace of these action set pieces is breakneck, and with intriguing stylistic elements (fancy screen panels and wipes) Ritchie makes moments of exposition much more bearable! On top of this the soundtrack is hugely engaging, historically grounding and ever-suave, the pipes set both tone and pace (a similar sound to ‘Snatch’!).
So where does this leave us? We have comedy, we have action, we have two Hollywood heavyweights, we have music, we have some pretty special camera angles too… Is there anything I missed?… There’s the CIA… There’s the KGB… Oh, what about a gorgeous leading lady slash super-secret-double-British-Agent… POW. So there we have it, Guy Ritchie hits audiences with a three punch combo of actors, action and comedy all brought together in a well-fitted suit, a steely gaze and lots of explosions… I loved it… And I think you will too, so go and see ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E’ in cinemas now!
Like Ben's work? Check out his blog!