The Man from UNCLE

Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) and Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) join begrudging forces in Guy Ritchie's caper, based on the cult 1960s TV series. Channel Islander Cavill transforms into urbane American CIA agent Napoleon Solo; Californian Hammer his Russian KGB opposite number, Ilya Kuryakin, and how they compare to original actors Robert Vaughn and David McCallum will depend on your vintage. The action is set at the height of the Cold War and centres on an enjoyably hokey plot involving the pair teaming up with East German car mechanic Alicia Vikander to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of Nazi sympathisers. The central duo's banter is camp ("You can get back on your horse now, cowboy") and Ritchie's slick, cocky style is accompanied by a funky score from Daniel Pemberton. The sadomasochistic dance between Hammer and Vikander to Solomon Burke's Cry to Me is a pure joy and reason enough to watch. Underappreciated on its release, this big-screen reboot better suits the small screen from whence it came.