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)

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)

Guy Ritchie's Mission: Impossible wannabe. And not bad at all. It would rather rank among the more accomplished in the series (solid plotting, the action is both rich and old-fashioned), though it's the least inventive because it sticks too closely to the genre rules. (08/18/2024)

Orson Fortune and his team must prevent the sale of a weapon that could threaten the entire world. To do so, they must get close to a dangerous adversary, and they're going to use a Hollywood superstar to do it. Guy Ritchie delivers an entertaining action-spy comedy that's driven forward by a particularly likeable cast. Unfortunately, they're a bit undermined by a muddled script, which often makes the story pause unnecessarily and deal with irrelevancies, only to have to unnecessarily plunge forward a few moments later. It's not boring, but one expects a bit more from Ritchie and Statham. (01/12/2023)

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)