Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre

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)

Attractive locations, expensive cars and booze, luxurious accessories both living and dead—these are all part of the business card Guy Ritchie could send to Barbara Broccoli if he wanted to. But he doesn’t. He’d rather continue living in his world of picturesque characters, dressing actors in stylish outfits, and promoting barbecue tables of his own design. Even though it all runs at about three-quarters throttle, with dialogues often in the child seat and the author skipping his traditional top-notch opening credits, it still offers solid entertainment. However, let’s admit that it would be less enjoyable without Grant. By the way, if Statham’s top collar button flew off, would filming stop until someone sews it back on? (05/10/2023)

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)

Guy Ritchie kind of goes on autopilot and Operation Fortune follows in the footsteps of flashy superficial crap like The Man from U.N.C.L.E. rather than his last cool and functional notches Gentlemen and Angry Man, but it's cool nonetheless. We get a mix of Bond and M:I in typical Ritchie style, but without an interesting main villain, a surprising script and no wow action scenes. The humour and catchphrases are only as fertile as ever, the main characters are practically impossible to care about, and at times it seems as if Ritchie is getting too drunk on his own shots, but the pace is as it should be, and at least it doesn't have an overlong running time, as has been the case with everything lately. (01/04/2023)

This is exactly the kind of film that would have blown producers away in the 90s. It just needs better dialogue with at least one memorable line and a lead actor who captivates you from start to finish. Unfortunately, Jason Statham doesn’t quite hit the mark these days. He lacks both the charisma and the punchy lines that made 90s action heroes so entertaining. Still, unlike in the 90s, he’s one of the few actors who continues to make films like this. (07/16/2024)