Film Press Review: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

08.11.2015 – If you’ll consider this year has a theme and it’s about spies, espionage and secret agents. Man from U.N.C.L.E. is not you’re typically spy film and what makes it unique is that Guy Ritchie has made this film authentic. There are a lot of spy films out there and this one would is impossible to set in a modern era even change the way it was originally made. The concept what makes this film quite intriguing as how Warner Bros. is promoting this film seemed interesting.

When it was first announced that Warner Bros. is working on bringing the classic television series to the big screen it appears that everyone would expect a modern take. But eventually when the promotional posters and teasers trailers revealed that this film would eventually take place in 1962 close to the same era, where the original show was set and first aired.

There’s a saying if it’s broken don’t fix it, and in this case the setting of the story takes place how the organization U.N.C.L.E. was put together during the time where Russia is still in power and having a nuclear arms race with the United States.



It’s a Cold War Out There

What drive the narrative of this film are complexities of the dark times, technology, and how everyone behaves. For those who fancy the 1960s era Guy Ritchie definitely make sure its not only the fashion and how that world looks like its also the way how he filmed every scene down to its color palette.

The visuals how the scenes change, the action scenes, and how it was put together to makes this film separates itself from the other spy films that was shown this year. Man from U.N.C.L.E. won’t be this good if not also for the solid cast that have Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill, Alicia Vikander, and the entertaining Mr. Waverly s portrayed by Hugh Grant.

Of course you’ll be more interesting to know the villain in this film is not some bald diabolical dude with a cat in hand. The concept of a powerful woman is something more intimidating than some guy with metallic dentures.



Spy V.S. Spy 1960s Style

The other interesting part of this film is definitely the conflict between two countries and in-between, they are two men who must work together. Of course you may have seen the first trailers that they want to kill each other and it does remind you where Mad Magazine got inspiration for their own spy spoof.

But not everything about Man from U.N.C.L.E. is all that impressive, but what bothered me are shaky camera scenes, but I won’t go through the details just not to give out potential spoilers. Though the entire film is watchable this was not something you’d see in the previous Guy Ritchie films like Sherlock Holmes.



What’s The Codename Again?

Overall it was an impressive film and it’s more of a cerebral type of spy genre emphasized how U.N.C.L.E. was put together. This is a film that makes you want to think and then have a slow build up unlike a roller coaster ride. This film is specified for more into the spy genre and that particular era.

“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” is set to be show in Philippine cinemas on August 13, 2015 from Warner Bros. Picture Studios.

RATED: 4 out of 5 Stars

NOTE: This film is screened privately in advance by invitation from Warner Bros. Pictures. This is reviewed and rated personally to build interest about the film.