He has directed a family-friendly musical fantasy — namely Disney’s blockbuster, live-action retelling of ALADDIN from 2019 — and period dramas inspired by some of the most iconic literary figures of all time — particularly Sherlock Holmes and King Arthur. Yet, where Guy Ritchie has usually thrived is in a genre that he has almost become synonymous with since making his feature-length debut in 1998 with LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS — the comedic crime movie. However, his latest release, OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE, marks his return to a different sort of thriller that he once proved skillful in with 2015’s THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. — spy movies.
The film — which Ritchie also penned with his WRATH OF MAN and THE GENTLEMEN co-writers Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies — is less old school James Bond this time and more like a modern MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE installment. Yet, it sets itself apart from those enduring franchises by boasting a unique kinetic energy and sharp wit that only this filmmaker could pull off. Before it comes to an AMC Theatres location near you on Friday, March 3rd, take a look at our SPOILER-FREE breakdown of what sorts of exciting thrills, clever quips, and top-notch performances you can expect from OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE below.
Spies Team Up With A Movie Star
When translated from French, the subtitle of OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE means “ruse of war.” The ornate phrase is most commonly defined in two different ways — first as a reference to a simple act of military deception or, secondly, as a means of working against one’s opponent with a strategy of unusual and unexpected design. The latter offers a perfect description of the film’s plot, and in more than one way.
The story follows a group of expert special agents who enlist the help of a famous actor to get close to a wealthy arms dealer they suspect is selling a deadly weapon. However, due to a rival team of operatives with the same objective (but of a more malicious intent) and a series of mishaps and unforeseen circumstances, it will take our heroes quite a bit of fortune to ensure this operation is successful.
A Story With Laughs And Thrills
As we have established, Guy Ritchie has a distinct style of storytelling that makes the majority of his filmography so far almost immediately and unmistakably easy to recognize as one of his own. Any filmgoer walking into OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE without knowing any prior information about it would likely be able guess who was at the helm just by its exhilarating combination of dry and sarcastic humor with some seriously intense sequences of high-octane carnage.
The action sequences in OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE are practically wall-to-wall and boast a dazzling blend of visually stunning elegance with erratic brutality that is not to be taken lightly. However – with much credit due to its hilarious rapid-fire dialogue and brisk pacing – the film is more comparable to 2000’s SNATCH than WRATH OF MAN with a tone that manages to remain consistently light all the way. As a result, it is as dazzlingly entertaining as one might hope a film by Ritchie would be.
The Operation Fortune Cast
The most essential element to the enjoyability of OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE is its cast, which is led by Jason Statham – a frequent collaborator of Guy Ritchie’s who is also known for the FAST AND FURIOUS franchise, among other blockbusters – in the title role of special agent Orson Fortune. One of the star-studded ensemble’s most notorious scene-stealers however is the always hilarious Aubrey Plaza, who brings a very kinetic energy to the role of the vivacious, silver-tongued, and multi-skilled Sarah Fidel.
The more soft-spoken, but hard-hitting, JJ Davies is played by British rapper Bugzy Malone – who made his acting debut under Ritchie’s direction as Ernie in 2020’s THE GENTLEMEN – and playing the one calling the shots, Nathan Jasmine, is Cary Elwes, who is best known as Westley in THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Josh Hartnett – reuniting with Ritchie and Statham after WRATH OF MAN – plays the beloved movie star Danny Francesco. And his biggest fan – wealthy arms broker Greg Simmonds – is played by Hugh Grant in one of his funniest roles yet.
It is about time that filmgoers are given the opportunity to see a fun, new spy movie on the big screen again. Ritchie, Statham, and the rest of the cast and crew deliver that promise with OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE. See for yourself if you agree by checking out all the action and laughs when the espionage thriller comes to an AMC Theatres near you in March.
OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE opens March 3rd.
