by The Underrated Sci-Fi Spy Gem: The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Henry Cavill doesn’t have a lot of straight science fiction under his belt, but one film that could be considered underrated in that genre is The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015). This stylish Cold War spy thriller from director Guy Ritchie incorporates some elements of science fiction to tell an entertaining story of international espionage. While it may not have been a huge box office success upon its initial release, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has gained a cult following in the years since for its fun, flashy style and performances from Cavill and co-star Armie Hammer. Let’s take a closer look at why this spy caper with sci-fi touches deserves to be rediscovered.
The Plot
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is set in 1963 and centers around CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Cavill) and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin (Hammer). The two men are forced to put aside their differences and team up on a joint mission to take down the mysterious criminal organization known as Victoria, which is trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Victoria is led by the seductive Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander), whose father was a scientist who helped develop rocket fuel for Nazi Germany.
Now living in East Berlin, Gaby is coerced into helping Victoria with their plans. Solo and Kuryakin are tasked with infiltrating Victoria and getting close to Gaby to discover the group’s intentions. But the two spies have trouble trusting one another due to their rival nationalities. Through a series of thrilling missions and close calls, they begrudgingly start to work as a team and even form an unlikely friendship. This all builds to a climactic finale as Solo and Kuryakin race to stop Victoria from acquiring a nuclear bomb with the power to hold the world hostage.
The Film’s Style
Director Guy Ritchie brings his signature flashy, kinetic style to the proceedings. Like his Sherlock Holmes films, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is shot with a glossy, vibrant color palette that gives it a fun, retro vibe honoring the time period. Ritchie keeps the action sequences fast-paced and exciting through clever editing, choreography and camerawork. There are also comedic flourishes throughout that prevent the spy plot from getting too dark or self-serious.
The film’s production design, costumes, props and vehicles all feel authentically mid-century without resorting to parody or pastiche. This lends the world an air of sophistication and intrigue. Ritchie populates the backgrounds of scenes with lively period details, from fashion and architecture to vehicles like classic American muscle cars and European luxury sedans. John Mathieson’s cinematography captures all of this with sleek panache.
David Scheinmann edited the film at a zippy pace that maintains suspense throughout. Daniel Pemberton’s jazzy, spy-fi score keeps things light and propels the many action sequences. So while the plot involves stopping nuclear weapons, Ritchie presents the material in an entertaining, stylish package that doesn’t feel heavy or oppressive. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a slick, fun ride from start to finish.
The Film’s Sci-Fi Elements
While not fully embracing science fiction conventions, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. does feature some elements of the genre that enhance the spy thriller premise. For one, the villains’ goal of obtaining nuclear weapons gives the geopolitical stakes of the Cold War plot a science fictional angle. The threat of atomic destruction looms large over the proceedings, even if the weapons themselves aren’t directly shown.
Victoria is also seeking rocket fuel technology to potentially weaponize for their sinister plans. This taps into real-world fears during the 1960s space race era of nations using the latest scientific advances for warfare. Some of Solo and Kuryakin’s spy gadgets, like communicators disguised as everyday objects, also give the film a fun, James Bond-esque futuristic sheen.
There’s also a sequence where Solo and Kuryakin must break into a high-security laboratory filled with top-secret scientific experiments and technology from the era. While the exact nature of these experiments and devices is ambiguous, their inclusion adds to the film’s retro-futuristic intrigue. So while rooted firmly in 1960s style, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. incorporates just enough sci-fi elements to feel like a lost spy film from that speculative decade.
The Charismatic Cast
A big part of the film’s rewatchability factor stems from its charismatic cast, led by Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer in the main roles of Solo and Kuryakin. Cavill oozes smooth charm and witty humor as the cocky American Solo. But he also gets to show Solo’s more vulnerable side as he forms an bond with the distrustful Kuryakin. Cavill fully commits to the period-appropriate fashion and mannerisms to make Solo a vibrant leading man.
As his Soviet counterpart Kuryakin, Hammer brings intensity and deadpan humor. His character is more reserved yet still quietly funny. Hammer and Cavill have fantastic comedic chemistry together that drives many of the film’s best scenes. Their reluctant partnership develops in an entertaining yet meaningful way over the course of the story.
Alicia Vikander is also a standout as the mysterious Gaby. She brings complexity to what could have been a more damsel-esque role. Gaby proves herself an able partner to Solo and Kuryakin despite the obstacles faced by women in the era. Vikander emanates intelligence and inner strength beneath her character’s vulnerable facade.
Supporting players like Jared Harris and Hugh Grant lend their talents to enriching the film’s array of colorful characters. Even in smaller roles, the cast brings vivacious energy that keeps the fun, fast-paced plot zipping along entertainingly. Their lively performances are a big part of why the film has remained so watchable.
Why It Deserves Re-Evaluation
Upon its release in August 2015, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. faced an uphill battle to find an audience. Arriving between bigger blockbusters like Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and The Fantastic Four reboot, it got lost in the shuffle a bit and only managed a $109 million worldwide box office on a $75 million budget. But in the years since, the film has developed a devoted cult fandom.
Word of mouth from streaming and home media exposure has been positive. Many have come to appreciate Ritchie’s stylish direction and the charismatic chemistry between Cavill and Hammer. Revisiting it without the pressure of big opening weekend expectations allows its entertainment value to shine through more clearly.
For fans of 1960s espionage fiction as well as those with an appreciation of well-executed style over heavy substance, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. delivers. While not perfect, it deserves recognition as one of the more underrated genre mashups of its decade. With some reevaluation, more viewers may come to see why this sci-fi spy gem has endured for those in the know. Its blend of fun, fashion and thrills still holds up remarkably well.
In Summary
Henry Cavill may not be known primarily for his science fiction work, but 2015’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E. shows he can excel in genre-blending roles. Under Guy Ritchie’s stylish direction, this Cold War spy caper incorporates just enough retro-futuristic elements like advanced technology and nuclear doomsday plotting to feel rooted in its 1960s setting yet still speculative.
Cavill and Armie Hammer are terrific together in the lead roles, bringing wit, charm and intensity to their reluctant partnership. Supported by a stellar cast, slick production values and a zippy pace, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. delivers non-stop entertainment from start to finish. While it may have slipped under the radar upon release, reevaluation has shown this to be one of the most underrated genre mashups of its era. For spy thriller and sci-fi fans alike, it’s a gem that deserves rediscovery.
