Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is the globetrotting Guy Ritchie spy series that should have moviegoers clamoring for a sequel — not the lifeless Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Proving that he does his best work with Jason Statham, the writer/director and his primary muse get back to action-packed funny business with this breezily entertaining romp that makes many recent would-be peers look like…well, the star’s films that aren’t collaborations with his Snatch comrade.
Equal parts familiar and fresh, Operation Fortune plays like a Ritchie greatest hits compilation, but one with enough remixes woven into the track list that you don’t mind the improbably cool trip down memory lane.
It also doesn’t hurt that the script by Ritchie and his Wrath of Man co-writers Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies (who also share Story By credit on The Gentlemen) is populated by cheekily named characters whose handles elicit sly grins without tipping into full Austin Powers inanity.
And so, as Nathan Jasmine (Cary Elwes) recruits Orson Fortune (Statham), Sarah Fidel (Aubrey Plaza), and J.J. Davies (Bugzy Malone, The Gentlemen) to prevent a particularly sinister McGuffin from reaching notorious arms dealer Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant), jokes and thrills arrive in rapid succession, setting the stage for the steady brand of entertainment to follow.
From Orson’s expensive wine habit to Greg’s fanboy fawning over Hollywood actor Danny Francesco (sudden Ritchie ensemble player Josh Harnett), who’s soon recruited by the Good Guys to help thwart Greg’s plans, this world of quick-witted spies and criminals is a joy to inhabit — particularly the winning comic chemistry between Statham and Plaza.
An additional layer of fun interplay between Nathan and his superior Knighton (Eddie Marsan) seamlessly weaves in concerns at the upper echelons of British intelligence, and even more humor is derived via rogue former operative Mike (Peter Ferdinando, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword) constantly showing up and threatening to undermine the team with his apparently superior man/fire/tech-power.
Through it all, Ritchie adds to his reputation as an action filmmaker who cares about the artistic process. No camera set-up feels accidental, and exquisite framing in the scene when Danny and Greg take a beloved hot rod from the actor’s stuntman past for a spin shows that even a basic car ride holds immense potential for the director, 25 years into his feature-film career.
As the proverbial noose tightens on our heroes, Operation Fortune stays active and keeps offering witty surprises while the above parties converge in an immensely satisfying climax.
But even more promising is the consistency that Ritchie has exhibited with the same creative team across his past three films — as well as the upcoming Jake Gyllenhaal military thriller The Covenant, hitting screens April 21 — which suggests a strong commitment to an exciting new chapter in his filmography.
Now, when’s the next adventure with this badass crew?
Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Now playing at AMC River Hills 10, Carolina Cinemark, and Regal Biltmore Grande.
(Photo: Dan Smith/Lionsgate)
