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MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

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* * * ½

(Updated TV series spy story)

Henry Cavill (the latest Superman) and Armie Hammer take over the old TV roles of Napoleon and Illya, American and Russian spies who reluctantly team up to save the world from nuclear disaster.

The plot gets a bit muddled at times, but if you take it for what it is (silly spy spoof), you can go along for a fun and exciting ride.

Cavil and Hammer are quite good as adversaries who must put their big egos aside and work together. Their relationship is hampered further by a beautiful auto mechanic (Alicia Vikander), who may be more than just a grease monkey.

It is 1963. World War II has just ended and the Cold War has begun. Napoleon and Illya couldn’t be more different. The former is released from prison by the CIA to use his skills in chasing down those nasty Nazis, while Illya is a straight-as-an-arrow KGB type.

Vikander’s challenge is to pretend to be engaged to Illya, who must control his explosive temper by playing a meek architect. Napoleon plays the suave, smart dresser.

The trio face many challenges as they save the world, eager to rid themselves of each other and get on with their lives. But it looks like director Guy Ritchie might have further plans for them.

This is not a great movie, but it is lots of fun. The banter between the American and the Russian makes for some good laughs, and there is plenty of action to keep you interested. And there are some gorgeous scenes of Italy.

Rated PG-13 with violence (much of it handled off-screen), backside nudity and sexual references.

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