‘Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre’ Review – A Bumpy Action-Comedy Saved By Charismatic Performances

Plot Summary: In the film, super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives (Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone), Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre is a fun little spy film that everyone should watch. It isn’t Guy Ritchie’s best film – a nod we would give to The Gentlemen – but it isn’t his worst either (looking at you, King Arthur). Operation Fortune doesn’t give us in-depth characters, but the actors are so charming in the roles that it allows you to enjoy the characters for what they are.

The biggest weakness of the film is the lack of substance of the characters which is forgiven thanks to the talent. Aubrey Plaza is sexy, snarky, and very intelligent. Jason Statham has his usual dry humor that works perfectly for this style of filmmaking, and it adds to the humor of the team. Hugh Grant kills it as Greg, especially working off of Josh Hartnett. Hartnett is honestly the glue that holds everything together. There are moments that get a bit awkward, but when Josh Hartnett does his thing those awkward moments are gone. 

The film also stumbles when trying to play up the mysterious villain element. For everything this movie does so well, this seemed a bit half-baked like Guy Ritchie had a good idea then midway through that idea left him and he just gave up on it. Perhaps it was the runtime which did not allow the time to get those ideas through, but nevertheless it was a weak concept that should have been better.

There’s a sensitive and awkward situation between you and your sister-in-law

Outside of these poorly handled elements, everything else was truly fun from beginning to end. Guy Ritchie as a filmmaker is very hit or miss, but when he hits he hits big. There are good reasons that Snatch or the aforementioned The Gentleman are so beloved. Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre is one of his only movies that has elicited such laughter and fun, but based on his style it is mediocre at best.

The one thing Guy Ritchie does in his films perfectly is direct his action scenes. The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Sherlock Holmes, hell, even his worst film King Arthur has very dynamic action sequences, and Operation Fortune does not disappoint on this front. The stunt department deserves a raise for killing it with all the stunts throughout this journey.

When watching Operation Fortune, you cannot help but think of Paul Feig’s Spy, but better, maybe because of the larger presence of Jason Statham. Regardless, this film will have you dying of laughter pretty consistently. Aubrey Plaza needs to be in more spy movies because she exudes the effortless type of cool that these movies require.

What do you think an agent does? They act. And no one acts better than you, Danny.

Does this movie warrant a recommendation? Yes, because it’s a good time at theaters. If you are willing to overlook some of the more surface-level deficiencies, you will find a lot to enjoy. Despite the lack of character development and a weak mystery angle, the actors makes it a fun time with action that keeps you engaged until the end.

Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre is currently playing in theaters courtesy of Lionsgate.