This title is available as a “Limited Edition” 4K Ultra HD release or a “Limited Edition” Blu-ray from Arrow Video on July 30th.
It’s unusual to review a picture like this in a Blasts from The Past! section. While this reviewer is an enthusiast of The Man from U.N.C.L.E., it is less than a decade old. In fact, the picture received a seemingly fine Blu-ray from Warner Bros. not long after its brief theatrical run. How much better could the picture really look?
Well, as a fan of the film and an owner of the aforementioned studio-released Blu-ray, I can confirm that this latest release from Arrow Video is an upgrade. It also comes with a few new bonuses that are of interest and, for those who appreciate the title, it is worth picking up whether you have 4K Ultra HD capabilities or want to opt for a Blu-ray.
Man from U.N.C.L.E. is spy caper that is something of a love letter to the Dr. No era of espionage thrillers; it keeps the Cold War setting and production design, all the while holding its tongue firmly in cheek. Thanks to some inspired casting and stylish visuals, director Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows) manages to pull it all off. It’s a wonderfully fun throwback that will keep any viewer amused and entertained.
Based upon the 60s television series that Bond author Ian Fleming assisted in creating, the plot follows a suave American super-spy named Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill). After a messy run in with the hulking KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer), the two learn that their respective governments have teamed them up to stop a nefarious plot that could threaten the entire world. Naturally, they don’t get along, but are instructed to work through any differences to accomplish their immediate goal, at which point they can turn on one another.
The material is ripe for comic banter and the two leads do an excellent job. They’re constantly at each other’s throats, trading some humorous jabs (verbally and otherwise) throughout the early parts of the film. Whether one is watching the other struggle with nasty opponents while sipping on wine, or the two are arguing over how to deal with a captured suspect, the end result is witty and entertaining.
Cavill sells a difficult and in some respects typical spy character. The heroic Solo possesses a flippant sense of humor (even when antagonists are getting the better of him) and charm with the ladies, not to mention confidence that exudes levels approaching smarminess. It could have gone wrong very easily, but the actor keeps the figure charismatic and avoids coming across as grating.
And Hammer is a scene-stealer as Kuryakin, a tough guy with daddy issues that doesn’t have a way with words and struggles with his own violent impulses (often in the most inappropriate of environments, including high society functions). He also appears to have feelings for Gaby (Alicia Vikander), the woman they’re escorting on the mission. In the end, there’s a lot more depth and drama there than anticipated. This role is fascinating and entertaining to watch.
And of course, it’s all nice to look at visually. The 60s fashions and production design pop and Ritchie captures the various chases with energetic and exciting camera moves (not to mention a few tried and true techniques like split-screen). It actually evokes a bit of nostalgia for the espionage thrillers of old. The action is delirious as well, from an escape over the Berlin Wall to a boat chase and the climactic battle. The movie is full of great 60s music as well, adding to the stylized vibe.
As mentioned, the picture on the Warner Bros. Blu-ray was decent, but there is a sharper, more impressive image on 4K Ultra HD (and even on the Blu-ray) that can’t be denied. For this reviewer, what stood out early on in the film is the scene set in a bathroom. The sequence looks slightly soft and muted on the 2015 disc, but is strikingly detailed and crisp on the Arrow upgrade (with the green stalls really popping). Sometimes it’s the little conversation scenes with period backgrounds that really reveal an improvement and that’s certainly clear in this case.
Of course, you’ll also get all the previously released bonus material that was present on the original Blu-ray, including material like featurettes showing how the 60s look of the film was recreated, as well as five archival bits exploring the making of the film, some bite-sized promo pieces going behind the scenes on the film set, as well as the theatrical trailer and image gallery.
But there’s plenty of new material as well. This includes a new interview with co-writer and producer Lionel Wigram about the project’s long and fascinating development. The release also contains a discussion with co-star Luca Calvani (who plays an antagonist in the movie) and a featurette on the original series and how it influences this remake. My personal favorite is a look at Guy Ritchie’s career and films that goes over his beginnings and notes his visual storytelling style and connections between several of his films. It’s a very interesting bonus.
There is also a film historian commentary track. Unfortunately, the speakers are more interested in the original series than this adaptation and spend the first 45 minutes waxing about the show. Most of the latter half is more on point, going into fascinating detail about how many people tried to get this picture made before Ritchie. The list of directors previously attached included Ritchie’s friend Matthew Vaughn, as well as Steven Soderbergh (who was planning on shooting the film with George Clooney in the lead). It’s remarkable to listen to how this project was relegated to development hell for over a decade.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get a double-sided fold-out poster, featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Dare Creative and an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing on the movie, and a reprinted article from CODEX Magazine on the film’s striking cinematography.
It’s unfortunate that The Man from U.N.C.L.E. wasn’t properly promoted. US critics had trouble getting on its wavelength and at the time it didn’t fare particularly well at the box office. That’s a shame, as it was such a fun gem that also works as a brilliant intro and set-up for more adventures. It may have taken almost a decade, but at least audiences have begun to catch up with the picture and turned it into a cult item.
Arrow Video has once again done a great service on the new 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray image. I was skeptical going in, but they have made it look even more impressive than it did only a decade ago. There are also some new, enjoyable extras that add more background to the history of the production. If you enjoy the movie as much as I do, then you really should pick up this edition. It is the best the film has looked since watching it at a press screening all those years ago.