Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre

I didn’t enjoy this movie and, apparently, neither did the actors and Guy Ritchie. Synonymous with routine and zero imagination. The only interesting thing is the completely uninteresting title, which (whether it was signed off by Ritchie or the guys in marketing) destined the film to fail, because who in their right mind would want to say "2 tickets for Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, please", ugh. (05/14/2023)

After the phenomenal The Gentlemen, my expectations for Operation Fortune may have been too high, but I didn't leave the cinema disappointed. Guy Ritchie's latest is a brisk one-watch action flick with some issues when it comes to the script and (black) humour, but it flows nicely in the cinema, and thanks to the regularly dosed action it doesn't get boring. It was good to see Josh Hartnett in action after quite a long time, but the main driving forces are the cruel Jason Statham and the equally sharp Hugh Grant, for whom such roles just tailor-made. In the end, the film neither impresses nor surprises, but it entertains and thrills, and that's what counts. A weaker four stars! (01/25/2023)

Guy Ritchie would probably make a great Bond movie, but he doesn't need to, he prefers to play in his backyard, which he knows well, and gives us what we like. This time, don't expect big plot twists, but straightforward action entertainment that kind of combines The Man from U.N.C.L.E. with Gentlemen and, apart from Ritchie's more or less visible directorial ideas (I was already impressed by the opening with the footsteps that turn into music), it mainly relies on the performances. Jason Statham is Jason Statham again, but this time in that funny way, Aubrey Plaza is absolutely perfect, and every scene Josh Hartnett and Hugh Grant do together is priceless. This is the kind of cleverly entertaining film I enjoy going to the cinema for the most. (01/13/2023)

It is missing some visual highlight, some memorable scene that would make you want to watch it again. But otherwise it is a pretty solid film, and I could easily see Guy Ritchie as the new Bond director, though he probably doesn't even aspire to that, he's comfortable in the company of those weird underworld folks. Hugh Grant is an excellent sleazeball, Jason Statham is just Jason Statham, the same kind of actor that makes us love him so much, and Aubrey Plaza is a sweetheart when she's not all made up and trying to look sexy (she's really bad at that), but the one that was pleasantly surprised me was Josh Hartnett. I don't understand what messed up the career of this fun and charismatic guy, but hopefully after this and Oppenheimer it will get better. (03/30/2024)

A subversive version of Mission Impossible, where they steal a ChatGPT that can launch nukes and point fingers at the Soviets. Unfortunately, it's unexpectedly bland, almost soporific at times without the crazy stunts of Mad Tom. On top of that, some of the villains are Ukrainian, and that’s just not trendy today. The acting is great, Statham is excellent again, only Cary Elwes didn't suit me here. The script, despite some stylish dialogue (or Grant's exquisite final monologue), lacks drive, is muddled and falls short of the typical Ritchie standard. I felt like he got bored during the shooting and tried to finish it quickly so he could get on with The Covenant. (05/12/2023)