OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE

Operation Fortune lends itself for a fun heist, but in Ritchie’s hands the twists and turns are sorely lacking and the characters are woefully bland.

For some time now it has been abundantly clear that director Guy Ritchie would like nothing more than to direct a James Bond movie. But while for example The Man from U.N.C.L.E. at least displayed some genuine flair, there’s no such thing in the horribly titled Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.

The story about a mysterious black market weapon that has to be tracked down by a group of highly skilled professionals lends itself for a fun heist, but in Ritchie’s hands the twists and turns are sorely lacking, the central set of characters is woefully bland and the action set-pieces are among the least imaginative I have seen in a big budget blockbuster for the past few years.

Not helping either is the casting of Jason Statham in the lead role, as it immediately gives Operation Fortune the sheen of a dime-a-dozen actioner, while baddie Hugh Grant for some inexplicable reason choses to parody a Michael Caine accent.

Luckily there still is Aubrey Plaza, whose dark comedic wit cuts through the lazy cheeziness of the rest of the picture.

release: 2022

director: Guy Ritchie

starring: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Hugh Grant, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes