This year saw the return of Guy Ritchie and Henry Cavill for the incredibly funny but sadly underappreciated war comedy The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. While the movie effectively utilizes their strongest points, it falls short of their first joint effort, 2015’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The film centers on two spies, American Napoleon Solo (played by Cavill) and Russian Ilya Kuryakin (played by Armie Hammer), who must reluctantly cooperate to prevent an Italian socialite from inciting World War III. The film is based on the same-named television series.
Fun, stylish to a fault, and featuring arguably the best performance of Henry Cavill’s career, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is Ritchie’s best movie of the 2010s and probably his best since Snatch. Sadly, it was a box office flop and received so-so reviews at the time. But history has been very kind to it, making it a contemporary action classic that Rolling Stone ranked as the 50th greatest action film of all time. If you have not seen The Man From U.N.C.L.E. on Netflix yet, now is the ideal opportunity. Here are four more reasons to stream this immensely rewatchable movie in case you need more persuasion.
Henry Cavill plays the best spy you’ve never heard of
As previously stated, not only is The Man From U.N.C.L.E. one of Henry Cavill’s best films, but it also features what might be the performance of his career. While he gives Tom Cruise a serious competition in Mission: Impossible — Fallout and is an absolute unit there, the movie is still primarily about Cruise. But Cavill is unquestionably the film’s star; he and Ritchie make the most out of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Napoleon Solo, played by Cavill, exudes a charisma and flair that has never been seen before or since. He is elegant, charming, self-assured, and nearly irresistible. Solo is a spy created by the most talented English director currently at work, portrayed by a massive actor who skillfully blends badassity with conventional good looks. The end effect is a character who is intimidating without ever being menacing, and seductive without ever being unduly sexualized. In this role, Cavill has never been better, demonstrating that he is not only a charming actor but also a surprisingly talented comedian who ought to embrace his goofier side more frequently.
Elizabeth Debicki makes a great femme fatale
An action movie is nothing without a great villain. Fortunately, Elizabeth Debicki’s deliciously wicked Victoria Vinciguerra in The Man From U.N.C.LE. has a great one. Victoria is a Nazi sympathizer who, with her husband, hopes to detonate a nuclear bomb and initiate World War III.
Victoria is the epitome of the quintessential femme fatale: she is stunningly gorgeous but also cunning and resourceful, not hesitant to use her charm to lure Solo into helping her carry out her terrible scheme. With her icy performance and amazing wardrobe (more on that later), Debicki is amazing in the part, taking center stage in the second part of the film. Generally speaking, a great villain is what keeps a movie moving; without an evil deed, there would be no need for two hot spies to save the day. Victoria looks amazing while executing her plan, which is appropriately risky. 10 out of 10, no notes.
The action is great
Guy Ritchie is one of the best directors when it comes to staging action scenes, especially when the movie is PG-13 and he has to get creative. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. features several impressive set pieces that rank among the best of the decade, combining flair and thrills with unexpected intensity. Although there is a noticeable lack of tension, the movie never tries to be a terrifying ride; rather, it always presents the action as heightened but expertly controlled and visually beautiful, with not a hint of chaos in sight.
This method really works well with Ritchie’s hyper-stylized ’60s tone. In one of the most well-known sequences from the movie, Cavill’s Solo coolly consumes a sandwich to the melody of Armando Trovajoli’s Che Vuole Questa Musica Stasera, while Hammer’s Kuryakin manages to elude several guards before appearing to drown. The action is distinctive and satisfying without ever being adrenaline-pumping, a remarkable and refreshing approach compared to the decade’s other over-the-top and overly violent action vehicles.
The movie has style to spare
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a serious contender for the decade’s most elegant and sophisticated film. Every aspect of this film seems to have come out of a 1960s postcard, aimed at reminding you of all the things you’ll never have — and it somehow works! As anticipated, the cinematography by two-time Oscar nominee John Mathieson, which effectively sells 2015 London as 1963 Rome, is as stunning as the surrounding scenery. As previously stated, the costumes—which were designed by two-time Oscar nominee Joanna Johnston—are breathtaking, adding to the already jaw-dropping beauty of a woman like Debicki.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. successfully sells an Italian fantasy from head to toe and manages to get away with it because of its strong morals. Every detail is carefully chosen, resembling a postcard, and each action scene appears to have been lifted from the idealized recollections of an exhausted Italian who experienced it. One-of-a-kind action film The Man From U.N.C.L.E. sells romance and class as much as spy thrills and adventure. It is the union of action and nostalgia, a nod to the classic James Bond films, that will make everyone want to purchase a Vespa right away.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is available to stream on Netflix.
by DigitalTrends
