The Man From U.N.C.L.E (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 116 minutes
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writers: Sam Rolfe (based on the television series by), Jeff Kleeman and David C. Wilson (story), Guy Ritchie and Lionel Wigram (story and screenplay)
Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant, Sylvester Groth, Luca Calvani, Jared Harris

The Man From U.N.C.L.E is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Roadshow Films.

Although it is entertaining and packed with the enjoyable high paced action scenes that you would expect it have, the creative choices in The Man From U.N.C.L.E can leave those who haven't seen the television series with a feeling of not knowing whether they are missing something or if it is just Guy Ritchie's style of storytelling. In the days post Cuban missile crisis in Berlin, CIA agent, Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) approaches Gaby (Alicia Vikander) with an opportunity for her to leave Berlin in exchange for knowing where her estranged father is. He soon finds that he is not the only one looking for her father, as the two are followed by KGB worker, Russian Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer). The two are soon shocked to find that they are to work together despite their mutual hatred for each other and work towards a common purpose.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E plays the part of an origins to the 1960's television series of the same name which it was inspired by. Rather than retell a storyline featured in the show, the film is set in the time before the television series begun and this is a great advantage to those who have not watched the television show as one comes to understand how Solo and Illya come to be partners with one another without missing anything story-wise from the show. However, some of the creative choices in the film made by director, Guy Ritchie become almost an enigma for those who haven't watched the television show and know very little about it, which considering there is a 50 year gap between the two is highly likely for many. This includes that of the lead roles. The lead characters of Solo and Illya border on over-the-top and before one can criticize the direction, script or acting, they accept that this may just be the way they are in the television series. Unfortunately because the television show is not as accessible as others (although it is available on DVD from Amazon), this is not a question that can be answered quickly or simply. It is said that Ritchie looked for a balance in the film between comedy and drama, which would indicate that this borderline of exaggeration was something he was intended out of respect to i's predecessor.

However, for all the confusion it's sense of self beholds, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is entertaining, incredibly action-packed and atmospheric. It feels along the lines of a Bond film crossed with The Italian Job with it's intelligent secret agent based, but witty screenplay. The unpredictability and clever twists make for an intriguing and desirable spy thriller screenplay. The action portion of the film is a constant throughout the film, but the story does not suffer nor does it feel that the frequent use of action is being used to compensate for a weak story. The special effects are not surprisingly very impressive.

Set after the Cuban missile crisis firstly in Berlin and then in Rome, the film is extremely atmospheric and nostalgic. The majority of the filming took place on location with some incredible sites being used for the film, including the Spanish Steps and the Roman Forum, but the filming that was done on a sound stage demonstrated the use of some marvellous production design. The costume design is exquisitely done by Joanna Johnston (especially Gaby's wardrobe) and a superb musical score by Daniel Pemberton. Much of the cinematography techniques are extremely recognisable as Ritchie's style, but work well for the film and the world it belongs in.

As previously remarked upon, the performances of Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are somewhat problematic to one who is not familiar with the television series. They are both portraying characters who have very distinctive characteristics and if one compares them to the original Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin and if this is the way the originals also were, then they have presumably done a good job. Otherwise, they are at least both entertaining and work well together. Alicia Vikander does well, but it is Elizabeth Debicki who steals the limelight as Victoria. She is as cold, hard and terrifying as a traditional female villain and her icy demeanour makes her a truly scary character. On the other hand, Hugh Grant has very little screen time, but is still incredibly likable.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E is without a doubt entertaining and has some very good points, but also encourages one to find a copy of the television series to understand who it is a bit more and decide whether Guy Ritchie is putting his own ideas to the film or replicating the television series.

7/10

Note from Nicki: Being unfamiliar with the television series, I found this review rather difficult to write. I don't believe I am alone with this as I have never physically seen the DVD's for the 1960's television series "The Man From U.N.C.L.E" on sale here in Australia, nor have I ever seen it on television. As a stand alone film, I would find the development of the characters and some of the other creative decisions which I haven't mentioned here rather off-putting, but without seeing the series I would rather give Guy Ritchie the benefit of the doubt and say that he is being true to the memory of what it is inspired from.

If anyone has seen the television show and can compare it to the movie, I would love to hear from you because I have found it hard tracking down someone who has to answer the questions I have about it.

Descendants (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 112 minutes
Director: Kenny Ortega
Writers: Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott
Cast: Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, Sofia Carson, Kristin Chenoworth, Kathy Najimy, Mitchell Hope, Brenna D'Amico, Melanie Paxson, Sarah Jeffery, Dan Payne, Keegan Connor Tracy, Dianne Doan

Descendants premiered on the Disney Channel on August 1 in Australia and July 31 in the United States. To be released on DVD October 21 in Australia and now available in the United States.

Original Disney Channel films tend to slip under the radar when one is not a hard core Disney fan these days. The last original Disney Channel film to break past this barrier was High School Musical back in 2006, which launched Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale into instant stardom. Descendants is the latest offering by the television division of the mouse empire which has drawn an incredible amount of excitement from Disney fanatics and interest from the outside as one and the reason for this is because it is Disney doing what Disney does well, which is making films reminiscent of their own work.  The result is something which is a whole lot of fun and shouldn't be taken too seriously, but will undoubtedly be enjoyed more by those who understand the Disney Channel's code of conduct.

When Happily Ever After took place in our beloved fairy tales, the villains of the stories were exiled to the Isle of the Lost to dwell for the rest of their lives with no escape for them or their families. Many years later when the son of Belle (Keegan Connor Tracy) and her Beast turned handsome prince (Dan Payne), Ben (Mitchell Hope) expresses his wish for the children of the Isle of the Lost to attend the same school as he and fellow fairy tale heroes' children in Auradon. Chosen for this task are Cruella De Vil's (Wendy Raquel Robinson) son, Carlos (Cameron Boyce), the Evil Queen's (Kathy Najimy) daughter, Evie (Sofia Carson), Jafar's (Maz Jobrani) son, Jay (Booboo Stewart) and Maleficent's (Kristin Chenoworth) daughter, Mal (Dove Cameron). Waves of tension rip through the school upon their arrival and the four struggle to fit in and what makes it even harder for them to do so is the fact that they really have no idea who they are without their parents.

When it comes to Disney and the Disney Channel, one cannot pretend they don't know what they are going to get. The Disney Channel in particular is all about a squeaky clean image with an uplifting message, lots of smiles and the odd (or frequent) song and dance number. To be disappointed with Descendants is to go into it thinking it is going to be anything else other than these things. Disney is very good at drawing on their past projects to pave way for a new film and here they build on the concept of society being obsessed with the children of celebrities. Of course, the celebrities in question here are the past Disney villains. What results is a film that is a lot of fun for the whole family with it's colourful characters and simple, but effective laughs.

Descendants is absolutely reminiscent of High School Musical with it's catchy tunes, cheesiness and the girl and boy from different worlds and it will come as no surprise to anyone that director, Kenny Ortega also directed all three of the High School Musical films. Again, the film is a Disney lover's paradise with plenty of references to their past films, including Mulan's daughter's Lonnie (Dianne Doan), the Fairy Godmother (Melanie Paxson) reciting "Bippity boppity boo" and Cruella De Vil's son, Carlos being brought up to believe that dogs are terrible creatures. However, much of the film is very over the top and predictable, but all expected considering the ethics and pattern of such Disney Channel productions. These aspects are not so much negatives in this respect, merely observations. Of course, there will still be audiences who have made the switch over to see Descendants and criticise it for being so, but original Disney Channel movies are to appeal to families and rely on what has worked for them for many, many years. The costume design by Kara Saun is superb as is the production design by Mark Hofeling.

Character is the main drawcard for Descendants and the casting of these characters is absolutely everything. Dove Cameron, who at the tender age of nineteen is no stranger to being a leading lady (she plays both of the lead roles in the Disney Channel series, "Liv and Maddie"), is undoubtedly the main character as Mal and has the most well developed character out of the children. Her inner struggle between good and evil and the constant need to impress her mother makes her an interesting character and Cameron portrays her wonderfully by being not quite evil but walking the tightrope between the two constantly. Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart and Sofia Carson all also give solid performances.

The absolute scene stealers are Kristin Chenoworth and Kathy Najimy. The two provide a comical side to the traditionally brutally evil villains, but it is a change that works and delights in the film. Chenoworth in particular has an incredible amount of presence as Maleficent and her song "Evil Like Me" is the best solo song in the film. Najimy is hilarious as the Evil Queen with brilliant one-liners and her and Chenoworth have superb on-screen chemistry as the two villains compete, but also laugh together like old friends.

If you let it be and accept it for what it is, Descendants is a great deal of fun in a clean and cheesy, but undeniably sweet way. Disney lovers will love it and anybody who switches over to the Disney Channel to have some fun should just go with it and enjoy it.

7.5/10

Trainwreck (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 125 minutes
Director: Judd Apatow
Writer: Amy Schumer
Cast: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, LeBron James, Colin Quinn, Tilda Swinton, Vanessa Bayer, Ezra Miller

Trainwreck opens in Australia on August 6 and is distributed by Universal Pictures. Now showing in the United States and opening in the United Kingdom August 14.

Trainwreck is unapologetically funny with it's witty and uncompromising screenplay brought to life by a superb cast driven by Amy Schumer, but it also surprises with it's depth of human relationships. Amy (Schumer) is living the life, or so she believes. She has a great job at S'nuff magazine where she is up for a promotion and has a different love of her life every night who she says goodbye to before they are able to wake up the next morning with her. When she meets Dr. Aaron Conners (Bill Hader) on a work assignment, she is perplexed to discover that she may have met her match...the thing that she was brought up to believe was only going to lead to unhappiness and being trapped for the rest of her life.

Trainwreck breathes new life into the romantic-comedy and breaks through the stereotype of this being a female audience dominated genre. The wonderfully witty script (also written by Amy Schumer) celebrates the world as a place where not everyone wants the same things out of life and love while at the same time seeing the comical value in the differences. Although the screenplay is not entirely airtight, it is forgiven due to it's comedic value as the laughs come at a rapid pace in every scene with no lapses in humour including in the more serious scenes. While there are many a sexual joke, there is also much well-timed general and situational humour that doesn't rely on tired and uncreative methods to get one laughing.

However, despite Trainwreck containing many a crude sex joke which may not be to everyone's taste, the film also has a great deal of heart and says a great deal about the dynamics of family. Amy and Kim (played by Brie Larson) are almost polar opposites as sisters which comes down to the fact that their parents were seemingly complete opposites and while Amy idolised her father (Colin Quinn), Kim idolised her mother. The two take after the parent they worshipped and in Amy's case this includes the worst parts of her father. From the first scene we see this where Amy listens to her father's views on marriage and we then see her living up to this view herself in her 30's. She is even aware of what these negatives are and hates these aspects of him, but without even realising it replicates his bluntness, negativity and addictive nature, particularly to vices such as alcohol and sex. It would seem that Gordon is the original trainwreck with his adoring daughter mimicking his behaviour, which can often happen in children.

Amy Schumer may well be the fastest rising star in comedy this year and Trainwreck gives one a valid understanding of why. Not only is her script hilarious, but she shines on the screen in a performance that is natural and heartfelt. When she is hilarious she is hysterical and when she is emotional she is heartbreaking. She is the perfect comedic leading lady for the present and regardless of the fact that the role was written by her for her, she is believable and has an effortless sense of comedic timing. While her Amy may not always be completely likable due to her self-destructive nature, she is still a character one loves to watch.

Schumer is surrounded by a superb supporting cast who raise plenty of laughs themselves. Bill Hader is completely endearing and immediately likable as Aaron. His dead pan sense of humour works so well in Trainwreck as it makes his delivery of humorous dialogue unexpected and catches one by surprise. His on-screen chemistry with LeBron James, who plays himself is superb and also hilarious. Brie Larson almost sneaks under the radar as Kim, but still gives a solid performance and Tilda Swinton is almost unrecognisable as Amy's difficult boss, Dianna, but shows that her wonderful acting ability also extends into comedy. Watch out also for a hilarious cameo by Leslie Jones and cinema veteran Norman Lloyd.

Trainwreck has a fantastic awareness of self and may well be the best comedy released in 2015 so far. Amy Schumer is the leading lady which cinema-goers have been yearning for and here she proves why she is fast becoming a household name.

8/10