Codename U.N.C.L.E.

Ein Film, der schön zum Ansehen ist, aber es wird Ihnen egal sein, was sich in ihm abspielt. Schöne Schauspieler*innen, die mit Stil angekleidet sind, aber nichts zum Spielen haben; ein sympathischer audiovisueller Retro-Charakter. Im Film passiert ständig irgendetwas, aber vom Gefühl her ist der Film länger als er tatsächlich ist. Die Sprüche und Pointen der meisten Szenen bräuchten noch mehr Arbeit am Drehbuch. Der Comicstart der finalen Actionszene ist fantastisch musikalisch gestaltet. Bessere 3*. (11.08.2015)

I’m really glad that Guy Ritchie was given an espionage farce screenplay to turn into a movie. I said ‘farce’ on purpose because it really does come across like that. The term definitely fits better than the usual term ‘comedy’. At the same time, I’m a bit sad that I didn’t enjoy the movie as much as I’d hoped I would. I was quite unhappy when giving the movie a three-star review after watching it. You see, there are some great scenes in the movie – Guy Ritchie sure is good at those. The fact that Guy Ritchie’s movies are supposed to make a certain impression, but that he is not as good at story-telling is simply true, but on the other hand, he managed to create a great retro atmosphere and a whole number of great action scenes (the final action scene, or the scene at the base near the sea). You simply need to put up with the fact that in terms of the plot, this movie is dead and buried at the bottom of the lake. And Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer don’t really help things either. I really had to work my way towards their characters; nevertheless, I feel that the second time around, it would definitely be a lot better, which is not me saying that I won’t give the flick another chance in the future – I might even change my opinion. If nothing else, the absolutely fabulous Alicia Vikander had so much charisma that it helped heal some of the film’s wounds. So, if nothing else, she definitely was a pleasure to watch – more than anybody else in any other movie for a long time. (27.10.2016)

(over) An over-the-top stylized, undemanding spy retro one-time movie, which is not purely comedic, but it make you smile throughout the footage. Unsurprisingly, it is entirely dependent (even thanks to the unnecessary bad guys) on the squabble of the central trio, which usually works. Most of the time. And if not, "sixties" Ritchie, "Morricone-like" Pemberton or Uncle Rudi with his fairy tale carry it. (12.08.2015)

As if made for a trip to the forgotten local cinema, where Italian architecture, old-fashioned form, and a nostalgic soundtrack quickly immerse the viewer. It was Daniel Pemberton's music that transported me to the sixties right from the first notes because this love letter to the divine Ennio Morricone is no rip-off but, fortunately, an honest and completely accurate tribute. Surprisingly, Guy Ritchie remains on the same wave as Sherlock Holmes, but because in practice this mainly translates to deadly exchanges of dialogue between the main duo, I have no problem with that. It just could have used a few more viewers. With its unexpectedly poor turnout, the combination of Henry Cavill's elegance, Armie Hammer's stubbornness, and Alicia Vikander's charm does not bode well for a series. (20.08.2015)

The cool soundtrack saves an otherwise average spy story set in the days of The Berlin Wall. Pemberton is Morricone’s reincarnation. Ritchie has an incredible feel for music, but the catchy sixties hits were completely overshadowed by excellent instrumental music oscillating between western, spy genre and some weird ethno mix. The acting duo (Cavill, Hammer), trio (Alicia), quartet (Grant) is welcome, I wouldn’t turn down another adventure with them, with a bit more complex story of course. Some isolated scenes are actually genius (the snack in the car), but in general I expected just a little bit more. A fine chill. Noting more, nothing less. Damn. I left my jacket in the other room. (20.08.2015)

Technically, of course, appropriately polished with an entertaining central duo, but otherwise this popcorn flick, like most Ritchie's films, has nothing extra. Surprisingly, the female cast is rubbish both in looks (!) and acting. The retro style may have worked brilliantly in X Men First Class, but here it doesn’t fall on fertile ground with the same elegance and wit. (23.08.2015)

Ein Retro-Spionagefilm mit Stil, der zum Glück das Genre nicht parodiert. Er nimmt das Genre nicht so ernst, was ihm auch gelingt. Das Haupttrio ist sehr sympathisch (zu Armie Hammer passt die Rolle des sowjetischen Kämpfers perfekt und die niedliche Alicia Vikander ist nicht nur niedlich und schon gar nicht nur eine billige Zierde) und sein ständiges Sticheln ist angenehm… Und Hugh Grant hat wieder einmal bewiesen, dass man durch das Älterwerden kein bisschen vom eigenen Charme verlieren muss, wenn man es nicht zulässt. Die Regie von Guy Ritchie hat Schwung und viele Ideen, sie präsentiert eine Reihe von Szenen voller Humor (einschließlich des schwarzen, siehe der Stuhl) und Spannung. Besonders hervorheben möchte ich den großartigen Soundtrack. Den Instrumentalsoundtrack von Daniel Pemberton, der eher John Barry als Ennio Morricone die Ehre erweist, und die super ausgewählten Songs. Ich bin sehr zufrieden. (12.08.2015)

I rooted for this film long before the private screening, cheered it for the stylish retro opening and was sympathising with Ritchie's visual imagery and breezy detachment even half an hour or so before the final credits rolled. But what up until then was a harmless play with various genre elements, where the diverse nature of the plot was still held together by the stylish form, the measured performances and the crushing pace, unfortunately transformed into a stale pictorial feast, which didn’t lack humour and plot drive, but all those disparate ingredients were now creaking and forming a standard hyper-stylish spy mess that doesn't offend and entertains at first, but in retrospect is dominated by a chaos with only a dim glimmer of genuinely funny lines or novel story motifs. 70% (20.11.2015)

A breezy and relaxing retro film with a very likeable cast (Armie Hammer, Henry Cavill, Elizabeth Debicki and Alicia Vikander), which, despite being labeled a comedy, has the kind of humour that makes you laugh internally. The interactions, and banter between the three main characters worked to a tee, as did the action scenes, of which there were plenty. A decently made genre mash-up with some good plot twists that manages to keep you both in suspense and mildly entertained. (02.08.2016)

It was basically like a Bond film whose creators shamefully wasted the opportunity for witty dialogue. If they hadn’t, agent Solo wouldn’t have gotten on my nerves so much and agent Kurjakin might not have seemed like a Terminator with poor software. It could have been a great film if only Guy Ritchie hadn’t forgotten to put more zing into it. 4*- (23.07.2019)

I got exactly what I expected from this movie. A great spy film that perfectly reminds me of the 60s, when the prototype was created, but at the same time, it is modern, dynamic, and action-packed. Guy Ritchie shows that he really knows how to handle this genre, and I hope he will return to these characters. It's a light-hearted entertainment that can truly thrill with some scenes. (22.08.2015)

An enjoyable movie set in the 60s, which is really simple in terms of the story, not that it matters. Objectively, it probably doesn’t amount to much, but my subjective feeling is that I just can't say anything negative about it. I watched the whole movie with a happy grin on my face, as there was no negativity or any unlikeable character (even Cavill, a non-actor, is pretty okay here). It’s also nice to look at, especially the star of 2015, Alicia Vikander, whom Michael Fassbender chose really well. (18.02.2016)