MOVIE REVIEW
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. [Limited Edition]
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Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Year Released: 2015, 2024 Arrow Video 4K
Runtime: 1h 56m
Director(s): Guy Ritchie
Writer(s): Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram, Jeff Kleeman, David C. Wilson, Sam Rolfe
Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Luca Calvani, Sylvester Groth, Hugh Grant
Where To Watch: available July 30, 2024; pre-order www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. whisks viewers off to a retro world where espionage is as stylish as it is suspenseful. Under Guy Ritchie's direction, the film rekindles the slick, sophisticated atmosphere of the 60s spy genre, complete with sharp visuals and a toe-tapping soundtrack, all of which pay homage to the TV series it's based on. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the plot follows the unlikely team-up of Henry Cavill’s debonair CIA agent, Solo, and Armie Hammer’s disciplined KGB agent, Illya. Initially at odds, their adversarial relationship shifts as they confront a looming nuclear threat engineered by the criminal Vinciguerra family.

The narrative takes off with a high-energy car chase through East Berlin, setting up the duo’s intricate relationship. Solo, transitioning from art thief to CIA agent, and Illya, shaped by his stern Soviet upbringing, add depth to their roles as they navigate their mission to stop the Vinciguerras. They aim to thwart the family's plot to misuse the scientific talents of Gaby Teller's (Alicia Vikander) father; Vikander delivers a solid performance.

Ritchie excels at recapturing the spirit of the 1960s with authentic costumes and a soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the era, bringing life to the film's setting. There are moments where the plot struggles to keep that momentum, with its narrative flow occasionally bogged down by its length and losing the sharp tension set up at the start.

The chemistry between Cavill and Hammer offers glimpses of potential that would have been fun to see explored in another film. Their evolving camaraderie is enjoyable yet hints at deeper espionage explorations that could have been more thoroughly examined.

Hugh Grant’s appearance as the British spymaster Waverly is a highlight (when is his presence not?), injecting charm and a fresh dynamic into the latter part of the movie. This contrasts starkly with the film’s antagonists, Victoria, played by Elizabeth Debicki, and Alexander, portrayed by Luca Calvani, who deliver precise and poignant performances.

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. is a nostalgic nod to classic spy thrillers, enhanced by solid performances and meticulous attention to period details. Despite its style and some thrilling sequences, the film never fully capitalized on its setup, leading to an enjoyable viewing experience that ultimately feels slightly shallow. It’s a film that will attract fans of Ritchie’s stylistic filmmaking and those fond of vintage spy narratives. To this day, I still wonder what Ritchie had planned for the future if this had been a giant success. Would we still be having sequels like James Bond and Mission Impossible?

Bonus Materials
4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10/compatible)
Original lossless Dolby Atmos sound
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Brand new audio commentary by critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry
The Hollywood Way – a brand new interview with co-writer/producer Lionel Wigram
A Lineage of Bad Guys – a brand new interview with actor Luca Calvani
Legacy of U.N.C.L.E. – brand new featurette celebrating the original 1960s TV series and its influence on the 2015 movie, featuring Helen McCarthy, David Flint, and Vic Pratt
Cockneys and Robbers – brand new featurette exploring director Guy Ritchie’s oeuvre, featuring Kat Hughes, Hannah Strong, and Josh Saco
Spy Vision: Recreating 60s Cool, A Higher Class of Hero, Metisse Motorcycles: Proper and Very British, The Guys from U.N.C.L.E., and A Man of Extraordinary Talents – five archival featurettes exploring the making of the film
U.N.C.L.E.: On-Set Spy – four archival, bite-sized featurettes going behind the scenes on the film set
Theatrical trailer
Image Gallery
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Barry Forshaw and a reprinted article from CODEX Magazine on the film’s cinematography
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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