The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Arrow Video
Release Date: July 30, 2024
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3.5/5

Plot
Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. centers on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization, which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a vanished German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization, and they must race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

My Thoughts
I don’t get why this film receives so much hate. I’ve watched it all the way through three times now and find it to be fun and entertaining but when it came out in 2015 it was considered a box office bomb only garnering just over $100 million in worldwide sales versus its $75 million budget. From these numbers, I can see why the accountants hated the film since it lost money, but is it really that bad?

 
I do get that not everyone likes Guy Ritchie films, so maybe that’s part of the hate, but I think he did a great job of blending action, adventure, and humor into the proceedings and the cast is excellent featuring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, and Alicia Vikander (who looks fabulous). Hammer has been in the news the past few years as a result of the “me too” movement, but he seems to be getting his life back together after going through rehab—and no, I don’t think he’s a cannibal. As an actor, he is quite good and his Russian accent in this film never wavers and the same could be said of Cavill’s—he sounds like an American throughout the film. Vikander’s German accent wavers every now and then, but when you look like she does, I’m willing to give her a pass (call me shallow).

 
Video 9/10
Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)


Special Features:

• Audio Commentary by critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry (new)
• The Hollywood Way (new)
• A Lineage of Bad Guys (new)
• Legacy of U.N.C.L.E. (new)
• Cockneys and Robbers (new)
• Spy Vision: Recreating 60s Cool
• A Higher Class of Hero
• Metisse Motorcycles: Proper and Very British
• The Guys from U.N.C.L.E.
• Extraordinary Talens
• U.N.C.L.E.: On-Set Spy
• 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

Conclusion
After watching this film again with my wife, we both were perplexed why it wasn’t more popular. Even though we’d watched it twice before, we were engaged in the onscreen action from beginning to end and really enjoyed the characters a lot. While we’ll never get to see a sequel, I think it’s a missed opportunity and maybe the marketing for the film didn’t go after the right audience. Regardless, the 4K restoration from Arrow Video is outstanding and it's a definite upgrade over the original Blu-ray release, which looked and sounded great as well.


Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review, David.

I'll admit being one of those that didn't like this film, though.

It's not because of Guy Ritchie, although his films have been hit and miss for me.  I was too young to have seen the original TV show, so I didn't have any frame of reference for it, so that's not it either.

I seem to recall thinking that it often verged on campy and that the chemistry between Cavill and Hammer just felt off through the whole thing.  I'll also admit that I'm not a fan of either of them, especially Cavill.  His performances always feel like he's too full of himself, completely lacking in humility.

I'll still applaud the studios for giving movies like this a great 4K release for the people that did like it and hope to see more examples like this in the future.

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review, David.

I'll admit being one of those that didn't like this film, though.

It's not because of Guy Ritchie, although his films have been hit and miss for me.  I was too young to have seen the original TV show, so I didn't have any frame of reference for it, so that's not it either.

I seem to recall thinking that it often verged on campy and that the chemistry between Cavill and Hammer just felt off through the whole thing.  I'll also admit that I'm not a fan of either of them, especially Cavill.  His performances always feel like he's too full of himself, completely lacking in humility.

I'll still applaud the studios for giving movies like this a great 4K release for the people that did like it and hope to see more examples like this in the future.

I have to tell you, if I looked like Cavill I think I'd be a little full of myself

[bmoney]

I LOVE this movie and Alicia Vikander. Yowser!

[Paul Heroy]

I saw this years ago and recall enjoying it. That's probably in part due to campiness and humor - when it comes to action movies I tend to fall more that direction than the uber serious/dark entries. I think my recent reaction to The Beekeeper is along that line, along with the 1st John Wick.

I have to tell you, if I looked like Cavill I think I'd be a little full of myself 

Ha, fair point there!