The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - Review

Aka: Cliche 60s American and Cliche Russian Team Up

Does anyone find it ironic that this film has an English actor playing an American and an American actor playing a Russian? I guess Guy Ritchie knew the irony behind this casting, and well it works perfectly well.

The Plot

After suave American Agent, Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill), rescues Gabby Teller (Alicia Vikander), a mechanic and daughter of a Nazi Scientist, from Communist East Berlin, he winds up being partnered with a Russian Agent, Ilya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer), to stop Nazi Radicals from forcing Gabby's father into creating an Atom Bomb. Their only lead is Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki), a Nazi sympathizer who is connected to Gabby's family. As tensions between America and Russia escalate, can Solo and Ilya put aside their differences to accomplish the mission and possibly save the world? 

Review

Guy Ritchie may not necessarily be one of my favorite directors, but he is definitely someone I always give a chance. He won me over with his two breakout films, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, but although I found his later films entertaining, mainly the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes series, he hasn't exactly solidified himself as someone who I need to watch immediately. And unfortunately for him, this film still gives me that feeling. However, fortunately for him, this film also maintains my stance of always giving him a chance.

Based on a classic 60s TV Show, Man from UNCLE is the very definition of an old fashion spy movie. Kingsman may have been a love letter and throwback to old spy films, but this one IS an old spy film. Which works well for it as well as against it. What definitely works for it is keeping the film in the 60s setting. The time was perfect as the backdrop for spy movies as you have America and Russia waiting to go to war with each other at any given moment. It also helps that the fashion is that midpoint between the suave sophistication of the 40s along with the sexiness that will over take the 70s. It just sells you with classic spy imagery, and it helps that Cavill and Hammer are playing stereotypes that fit in this setting.

Cavill has been on Hollywood's radar for YEARS and finally gets his chance to shine in the spotlight as Superman. Unfortunately his dour performance made people question why was everyone so impressed by this guy? Luckily here, Cavill exudes the charm and suave of Napoleon Solo extremely well, showing audiences why this guy was sought after for several high profile roles in the past before his big break. He shows he could be charismatic and lively, which will definitely help him in the long run, but it won't be enough to turn naysayers around to his side. Still, his cliche 60s American accent works really well for his character, especially given he is actually English...or Welsh...or...something not American. The one who is American though is Hammer, who also plays a cliche role in the film: the brutish Russian Spy. His turn as Ilya is not exactly ground breaking, as many people were already convinced this guy can act from the Social Network. However his cliche performance works hand in hand with Cavill's cliche performance as two stereotypes having to team up to fight a common enemy. At least no one can complain about casting problems, because they're both ironically casted.

But despite ironies in casting, the word cliche will come up a lot because in the end, this movie is definitely a cliche. Everything about it is a cliche because it is a cliche 60s spy movie that feels like it came out decades too late. Smart audiences in tune with how spy movies work will know how Vikander's Gabby and Debicki's villainous Victoria will operate before it happens in the story. There are no new twists to the genre, nor can there be because spy movies have done everything, and it doesn't try to claim it has one. This is probably the most pure 60s spy movie we'll ever get, and that is completely fine for me. But it does say something if the most exciting part of the film is the first half when the two agents meet for the first time and how they have to eventually work together. The second half is where things start heading to predictability and the fun feels forced rather than natural as it did in the first half. Nevertheless, the film still feels entertaining and engaging enough to keep you through. And it also doesn't hurt that all the leads in this movie are ridiculously sexy. Eye candy for ladies and gentlemen. 

Final Thoughts

In the Year of the Spy movie, this may so far be the weakest entry. It may not be the worst, as the year isn't over yet, but it definitely won't be the best. But what it is the best at is bringing back the old 60s spy movie flavor. However it may have done so a little too literally. There are some modern filmmaking techniques and Guy Ritchie-isms in the film, but overall it still feels like a movie that came out decades too late. The cast is magnificent, particularly Cavill and Hammer, but their characters are exactly as you think they're going to be all the way up to the end. No real surprises, but still a great time.

SCORE: 7/10 - A decent time for a film that feels like its from a different time

SPY (2015) - Movie Review

The Second Blockbuster Spy movie of 2015

It definitely is the YEAR OF THE SPY!

The Plot

When the CIA's top agent, Bradley Fine (Jude Law), is killed by an arms dealer heiress, Rayna (Rose Byrne), who not only has possession of a nuclear bomb but the identities of every field agent in the CIA. The only option is to send in Fine's handler, Susan (Melissa McCarthy), to get close to Rayna and discover the location of the Nuke before it falls into the wrong hands. Believing that a desk agent is unfit to fulfill the mission, field agent Ford (Jason Statham) goes rogue in an attempt to complete the mission and prove Susan is not meant for the field. But there is more to this special agent than initially perceived.

Review

Paul Feig is probably the only director who knows how to craft a proper Melissa McCarthy vehicle. Because while McCarthy has made a name for herself in Feig's breakout film, Bridesmaids, and his follow up, The Heat co-starring Sandra Bullock, she has not made a great Hollywood film that isn't directed by Feig. Which is a shame because Identity Thief and Tammy threatened to cause the public to get tired of her "schtick." But luckily this film, and perhaps a small little indie film called St. Vincent, allows the audience to realize she's not a one note character.

McCarthy shines in this movie in a role that is completely different to what she's done in her previous big Hollywood films, while at the same time still maintaining the humor that she is known for. Here she plays Susan Cooper, a CIA Analyst who is desk bound and is merely the voice in Agent Fine's ear, guiding him on where he needs to go and warning him of impending danger. Fascinatingly enough, she actually joined the CIA to be a field agent but was talked into taking the desk job. This small bit of information makes her character a completely different animal to most Spy Parody movies. Meaning she is actually a competent agent. She's not a bumbling bafoon who gets lucky, she's actually capable of doing the job. But having a lack of experience does show she has a weak stomach for violence, and there is plenty. But what really makes doing her job difficult, and hilarious, is Statham's rogue Agent Ford.

Statham is definitely the true standout of this movie as he is pretty much playing a complete parody of himself. Statham's Ford is pretty much an over confident and condescending take on every character Statham has ever played in an action movie, spun to sound like his profile of being the perfect spy. His long speeches of how he is capable of doing anything, and I mean anything, because he is such a badass will definitely bring laughs to an audience who recognizes that he's pretty much attacking his action hero image in the most hilarious way possible. It is quite refreshing seeing the more capable agent being the bumbling fool this time around instead of the protagonist. This offers a completely fresh take on the spy parody as it makes us like McCarthy's Agent Cooper rather than wishing the movie was about Statham's Agent Ford. I'm looking at you Get Smart.

But while McCarthy and Statham are definitely the heavy hitters of the movie, they would be nothing without their supporting cast of agents and terrorists. Miranda Hart plays Nancy, the voice in Agent Cooper's ear and her best friend prior to becoming a field agent. She offers great support to McCarthy's Cooper, however it feels like she's barely in the film despite being sprinkled carefully throughout it. Peter Serafinowicz, most famously known as the voice of Darth Maul and Denarian Saal in Guardians of the Galaxy, plays Agent Aldo, Cooper's Italian contact who provides some of the best laughs in the film due to his constant need of physical contact with Cooper. Then there's Agent Cooper's nemesis, Rayna played by Rose Byrne, another actress who has skyrocketed in the comedy circuit thanks to Bridesmaids. Here Byrne plays the very definition of a Spoiled Bitch, which works great as both a satire on the rich and powerful as well as the stereotypical Bond villains. Bobby Cannavale also makes an appearance as a possible buyer for the Nuke, but that's all you really need to know.

What is probably the most shocking aspect about this film is how violent and action oriented it is. Now, this is nowhere near as violent as the first blockbuster spy film of the year, Kingsman, but while that movie was awesomely violent, this film is shockingly violent. This is mainly because the film is sold mostly as a comedy rather than an action film, which will catch people completely off guard when blood and gore enter the picture. Though I can't help but feeling this is director Feig's way of saying, "Hey! I can do other stuff besides comedy," and it shows brilliantly. The fights and action sequences in the film are well choreographed without falling too far into the trap of being parodies of Spy Movie action. They feel just right and not too over the top, making it very believable for McCarthy's Cooper to be a capable fighter in the film.

Final Thoughts

This is definitely the best film Melissa McCarthy has starred in so far. It is both funny and a smart way of subverting not just the spy genre but the spy spoof genre as well by not falling into familiar territory too much. Though it still is just as predictable as Kingsman, both films benefit by feeling fresh enough to make one forget just how worn out and predictable the spy genre is. With an all-star cast and a great use of humor at times that merit it, Spy is living proof that McCarthy can still make us laugh and that Paul Feig is the right person to helm the all female Ghostbusters reboot.

SCORE: 8/10 - A well executed subversion of the spy spoof genre, despite being cliche

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Manners Maketh Man. Do you know what that means?

Then let me teach you a lesson.

The Plot

Based on Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' comic: The Kingsman are an international independent intelligence agency operating at the highest order of discretion. They are the modern day Knights of the Roundtable. When their Lancelot agent (Jack Davenport) is slain, Arthur (Michael Caine) charges the other Kingsmen agents into choosing a new potential candidate to claim the title of Lancelot. Agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth), codename: Galahad, decides to choose an unlikely candidate for the high class position. Enter Eggsy (Taron Egerton) who is the son of a previous candidate for the title of Lancelot but was killed in action. Harry reveals to Eggsy his father's legacy and a chance to become a member of not only high class society, but a gentleman knight in saving the world from evil. Unfortunately for them, a powerful evil is also in the rise in the form of tech mogul Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) and his henchwoman, Gazelle (Sofia Boutella).

Review

Matthew Vaughn is quickly solidifying himself as probably one of my favorite directors. There has never been a single movie of his that I didn't like or even love, and this one is no exception. Which is why I have to state immediately right now that if by any chance you don't like any of the following movies: L4yer Cake, Stardust, Kick-Ass and X-Men First Class; then chances are you're not going to like or appreciate this movie. Especially if you don't like Kick-Ass and X-Men First Class. But if you do, or if you have an open mind, then here are my thoughts on the film:

I love this film. I really do. But don't get me wrong. I love Man of Steel, but that movie has a ton of flaws that I'm fully aware exist. And this movie has some VERY major flaws. But before I get to the flaws, here's a rundown of what I love about this movie.

Colin Firth. The mostly dramatic and romantic comedy typecasted actor finally gets a chance to play a role he describes as, "the reason I wanted to become an actor." Firth gives an incredible standout performance as Harry Hart, the epitome of what the Kingsman represent. He is very much a throwback to not just the Roger Moore James Bond but also a slight mix of John Steed and Harry Palmer thrown in for extra class. It also helps that the man who played Harry Palmer, Michael Caine, is in this movie as the King Arthur of the Kingsmen Intelligence Agency. With the support of Mark Strong, playing a good guy for once in his mainstream career, as Merlin, all three of them are absolute delights as throwbacks to the classic spy movies of old.

In direct opposition to these High Class Old Fashion English types is a modern age twisted American Billionaire named Richmond Valentine, played by Samuel L. Jackson. He's a combination of many different American billionaires, with the most obvious ones being Russell Simmons, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg. Yet Jackson plays Valentine as a success story gone wrong in terms of he is definitely a good person, but his methods of achieving what he believes to be a better world are completely insane. Which is perfectly suited for making him a throwback to the over the top Bond villains of the classic era of spy movies. He even comes fully equipped with his own standout henchman, or in this case henchwoman named Gazelle, played by Sofia Boutella. She's the sword (haha get it? Cause her feet are swords) that deals with the more violent aspects of Valentine's dealings, mainly because Valentine hates blood and violence. Yes, it is meant to be ironic. And it works perfectly.

But most importantly, someone who is not really a standout but proves to be a promising talent is none other than the leading man of this film and relative newcomer: Taron Egerton. His role of Eggsy is a rather cliche one in being the stereotypical rags to riches character. Yet Egerton is so convincing as someone who grew up as a street kid who learns to become a gentleman spy. This role could've easily have been given to an anxious newcomer and played obnoxiously, but Egerton is so likable as the lead that although he isn't a standout as Firth or Jackson, he felt right and is very capable of working side by side with the big leaguers. I look forward to seeing him in a much more meatier role, because I can already tell this guy is going to be an actor we'll be seeing in many movies in the future. But for what we got from him, he was good.

And of course, in a spy movie that's a throwback to classic James Bond films, you want good action. And this movie definitely has a good action. Not as much as other critics and reviewers have claimed, but when the action scenes do happen they're fantastic. Though I have to say, I was expecting something a little bit more extreme, but this is extreme for this type of movie. The action scenes are pretty much more bloodier versions of Jackie Chan actions sequences, which makes sense since Chan's stunt team was responsible for making the action in the movie. It is also very commendable that Firth and Egerton did 90% of their own stunts, which is incredible to look at. But both of them are still second fiddle compared to Boutella as the sword legged Gazelle. Being a dancer, her action sequences are obviously a lot more refined, and has to be since her character is the best fighter in the movie. Which kind of segues me to one of my negatives of the film.

The female characters are pretty underdeveloped. Other than Gazelle, none of them are interesting. Which is saying a lot, because Gazelle's actions are definitely interesting but as a character she isn't. Then there's Roxy played by newcomer Sophie Cookson. In interviews with Cookson she gives this impression that there is a lot more depth to her character and that it was a big deal for her character to become a Kingsman because a woman has never succeeded. In the film the idea of her being the underdog because she's a woman is never brought up or how important it is for her to become a Kingsman. Which is sad because it seemed like a lot of stuff that revolves around her has been removed for the sake of focusing on Eggsy and Agent Hart. Which it's suppose to, but she was set up as someone important, and she plays a key part in the big finale, but she comes off as not really needed. At least she's not a love interest, I'll give the writers credit for that. And there's also Eggsy's mother played by Samantha Womack who could've been flushed out a little bit better as to why her life went through a downhill spiral, but it doesn't. Now, I usually don't complain about whether a female character is underdeveloped in a spy movie because they're usually just eye candy anyway, but in this film at least two of them were set up to be a lot more than just eye candy. Notice how I'm not asking for development of the Swedish Princess? Eye Candy.

But in the end my major problem with the film is the all around predictability of it. Now, this is a bad thing and a good thing. Mainly because the reason why it is predictable is because it is making fun of how most spy movies are predictable. What makes it feel unpredictable are the dialogue and the execution. But that still doesn't prevent it from being predictable. And yes, there are some people who might argue that the film starts out looking like a children's film that evolves into an adult film halfway through the movie, but it's really all about not having the 150 or 200 million dollar budgets that a standard blockbuster should have. So in other words, they had to make do with what they can and save their money carefully for the more spectacular things and a big finale.

Final Thoughts

Despite being overly predictable and looking very cheaply made for the first act, the movie succeeds by being a genuinely entertaining experience. This movie will make you crave for a more over the top James Bond movie with crazy gadgets and megalomaniac villains over the dark and serious Daniel Craig Bond movies. Not saying Craig's Bond movies are bad because they are dark and serious, it is just nice to see someone bringing back the crazy spy movies in a modern way. This movie is here to entertain and it even tells you it is here to entertain. If you're a fan of Matthew Vaughn's film, Mark Millar's comic books and Roger Moore James Bond movies with a Rated R twist, then this is definitely the movie for you!

SCORE: 8/10 - An enjoyable throwback to the classic Roger Moore James Bond Era