Post by FShuttari on Aug 25, 2015 12:28:07 GMT -5
Guy Ritchie doesn't do silly type action films. But why bother when you have style to spare. Much like Sherlock Holmes and the cockney-crime films that made him popular, Ritchie's throwback to sixties spy capers (this movie itself is a remake of a TV show from that era) has an energetic visual flair to lap up. Employing split screens, crash zooms, rotating cameras and a gorgeous soft-style lensing, cinematographer John Mathieson proves to be an ideal partner for the frenetic Ritchie, helping him capture the romanticism of Cold War espionage flicks.
There are also a handful of exciting set pieces that are superbly choreographed and admirably executed; none better than the invigorating opening chase sequence where our leading trio cross paths for the first time. Balancing between endearing homage with tongue-in-cheek elements and suave thriller with flippant brutality, the zig-zagging tone somehow works too – thanks to a lightness throughout – although it's now understandable why this film was reportedly so hard to market. Undoubtedly the weakest element is the plot, which is entirely unoriginal and working on the surface level only, yet there's a silver lining: it forces the focus to shift from the narrative to the characters, and gosh darn it these covert agents are fun to hang out with. Henry Cavill is all cocky elegance as American smooth-talker Napoleon Solo, Armie Hammer is gruffly tender as stoic Russian bruiser Illya Kuryakin and Alicia Vikander is enthrallingly enigmatic as intelligent German beauty Gaby Teller. The seesawing tone may put off some, but the classy action and eminently watchable cast made this an immensely entertaining experience that – with the door being left open for more – will hopefully spawn a sequel or two.
8.5/10
There are also a handful of exciting set pieces that are superbly choreographed and admirably executed; none better than the invigorating opening chase sequence where our leading trio cross paths for the first time. Balancing between endearing homage with tongue-in-cheek elements and suave thriller with flippant brutality, the zig-zagging tone somehow works too – thanks to a lightness throughout – although it's now understandable why this film was reportedly so hard to market. Undoubtedly the weakest element is the plot, which is entirely unoriginal and working on the surface level only, yet there's a silver lining: it forces the focus to shift from the narrative to the characters, and gosh darn it these covert agents are fun to hang out with. Henry Cavill is all cocky elegance as American smooth-talker Napoleon Solo, Armie Hammer is gruffly tender as stoic Russian bruiser Illya Kuryakin and Alicia Vikander is enthrallingly enigmatic as intelligent German beauty Gaby Teller. The seesawing tone may put off some, but the classy action and eminently watchable cast made this an immensely entertaining experience that – with the door being left open for more – will hopefully spawn a sequel or two.
8.5/10
