Sequels and reboots and remakes. Oh my!
It’s enough to make you cry “U.N.C.L.E.”
The original “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” TV series was a narratively quaint and visually dull affair enlivened by two personable and charismatic performers – Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo and David McCallum, now on another acronym-titled show “NCIS,” as Ilya Kuryakin.
They were a salt and pepper pair – Solo was dapper and dark haired, Ilya more brooding with a tan fringe on top. The new film version of the show, opening Friday, is the opposite – visually spunky but with characters played by actors so interchangeable its as if the roles are being played by twins.
Solo, played by Henry Cavill wears a suit. Ilya, played by Armie Hammer wears a leather jacket and crew neck sweaters. The story has something to do with rich terrorists in possession of a nuclear weapon.
It’s hard to say if the result is a spoof or an action film. But its split screen montages, vintage-car chase scenes and restless visual style are signifiers of Guy Ritchie, British director of films like “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and Robert Downey Jr.s two “Sherlock Holmes” movies.
Ritchie’s style mimics the Cold War sensibility of the material with out bringing it to life. His best decision was his first: using Nina Simone’s version of “Compared to What” over the opening credits t0 add a little sandpaper to the Teflon proceedings.
Hugh Grant is the Alexander Waverly-type boss character played by Leo G. Carroll in the series. AND Alicia Vikander, of “Ex Machina,” plays a sidekick and love interest like Agent 99-type in “Get Smart.” “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.” series lasted one season and starred Stephanie Powers and Noel Harrison.
The show, which aired from 1964 to 1968 capitalized on the popularity of James Bond and the Cold War concerns along with shows like “I Spy” and “Get Smart.” In fact Bond creator Ian Fleming consulted on the series.
But there is little Bond blood in “The Man From U.N.C.L.E” movie, which appropriately plays second fiddle to “SPECTRE” the 24th Bond film, due in October. Accept no substitute.
Two and one half stars **1/2
With Henry Cavil, Armie Hammer, Alica Vikander, Jared Harris, Hugh Grant, Elizabeth Debicki, Luca Calvani. Produced by Steve Clark-Hall, John Davis, Jeff Kleeman, Lionel Wigram. Written by Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram. Directed by Guy Ritchie. Rated PG-13, partial nudity, suggestive content, action violence. Approximate running time 116 minutes.
Posted by