Film Review: "Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre"


Guy Ritchie films have their own unique cinematic voice. His take on British gangsters in films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch are beloved by many. Other films like Sherlock Holmes and Aladdin offer more mixed results. The undeniable truth is that Ritchie's films offer a special kind of entertainment. His latest film Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre gives audiences a mixed bag of what Ritch does best. Special Agent Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) and his team (Aubrey Plaza, Bugzy Malone, Carey Elwes) have to recruit movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) on a top-secret mission. Their goal is to stop the sale of a dangerous nuclear weapon by arms deal Greg Simonds (Hugh Grant). 

Operation Fortune shows moments of Ritchie doing what he does best as a filmmaker. The dialogue has the same snappy delivery that is sure to consistently entertain. Moments of banter between Statham and Elwes are quite funny, with Aubrey Plaza delivering perfect dead-pan quips.  Set as an international locale action-comedy, the film works best with its large action set pieces. The lively energy hits its stride once Hugh Grant and Josh Hartnett factor into the plot.  Both actors deliver such fun performances that almost feel like they belong in an entirely different film. 

Grant and Hartnett are relishing the chance to be over-the-top within the roles. Hartnett portrays the arrogance of a movie star with very funny results. His naivety of the spy world is consistently surprising. The characters treat him like a young child, which Hartnett leans into with ease. Grant’s sickly charming arms dealer has to ride a very difficult line. He has to be equal parts villainous and endearing, which Grant delivers effectively. These broad performances help with the sometimes cliched dialogue and rather convoluted plot.

Holding the film back is its screenplay written by Ritchie and regular collaborators Marn Davis and Ivan Atkinson. Ritchie’s distinct “British gangster” tone made him a favorite amongst cinephiles. The focus on the plot involving nuclear weapons feels akin to something on the television show 24 meets James Bond. It is complex in ways that the film believes are smarter than it actually is. These sensibilities can best be seen in the third act, feeling like a Roger Moore James Bond film.

With nuclear weapons and machine guns galore, this plot is just hard to follow. There is no understanding of why certain characters are in perilous positions. These moments include certain “double-crosses” between characters that were never made to be important early on.  Every character's motivation feels rushed without majorly satisfying payoffs. That being said, Ritchie does come up with inventive techniques for the action. Letting Statham utilize his martial arts skills will be more than enough for action film aficionados. Certain moments are shot via POV, (Point of View) making the action feel electric. Those moments are just too few and far between to be worth a trip to the theater.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre is an unfortunate step down from recent Guy Ritchie films (The Gentleman, Wrath of Man). There are entertaining moments with fun banter and performances, but Ritchie's distinct voice is lacking. Actors like Statham and Aubrey Plaza do what they can with limiting material. Hugh Grant and Josh Hartnett are the most engaging and deliver energetic performances.  The problem is that none of these elements (performances, action, writing) fit together as they should. Operation Fortune has great moments of fun, but not enough to recommend traversing to the theater. The film's most exciting moments would be worth watching at home. 


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