Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre is one of several movies that was heavily delayed within the past few years. However, unlike those COVID-related ones, its postponement apparently came down to its inclusion of Ukrainian bad guys. That’s understandable, but there’s no denying this hiccup curtailed its prospects. I mean, I remember watching the first trailer for Operation Fortune back in 2021, and when it was shelved, my interest in it definitely waned. And this is coming from a Guy Ritchie fan. Yet, in the end, this drop in anticipation and expectation ended up being a blessing in disguise. Operation Fortune really surprised me. It’s a thoroughly watchable piece of action comedy entertainment, and what it lacks in Guy Ritchie style, it makes up for in standout performances.

When a group of criminals steals a case containing a mysterious device known as “The Handle”, the British government hires Nathan Jasmine (Cary Elwes) to recover it before it ends up in the wrong hands. Jasmine runs a cadre of private spies, including Orson Fortune (Jason Statham), his incredibly talented but somewhat unconventional team leader. After Jasmine assembles his three-member team – there’s also Sarah Fidel (Aubrey Plaza) and J.J. Davies (Bugzy Malone) – they all set out on a globetrotting operation full of subterfuge and shootouts. Does this sound straightforward to you? That’s because it is, so much so that my three-sentence synopsis fully covers the first 25 or so minutes of its 114-minute runtime. Usually Ritchie-directed flicks are bit more complex, but that’s not the case with Operation Fortune, somewhat to its detriment.

In fact, those initial 25 minutes are so rapid and undemanding that the movie feels extremely artificial and clinical. Through most of its first act, the story is underwrought, the actors/characters haven’t developed chemistry, and the jokes are mostly ineffectual. In truth, the only element of that first bit that I actually liked was Cary Elwes, but that’s mainly because it was exciting to see him in a mainstream movie again. Right when it seems Operation Fortune is beyond saving, it gets a major shot in the arm in the form of Hugh Grant, who’s appearance at the end of the first act somehow remedies everything that was faltering beforehand. Grant plays Greg Simmonds, a billionaire arms dealer whose wealth is only overshadowed by his larger-than-life personality. Ritchie makes the smart choice to incorporate Grant as much as possible, and even though his character is the antagonist, he’s always the most likeable guy on-screen. Just thinking about his performance now makes me want to rewatch the entire movie; he’s that spellbinding.

Don’t get me wrong, though, the rest of the cast grows on you as Operation Fortune progresses. I already mentioned Elwes, who’s perfect for the role he’s given. Aubrey Plaza is similarly good as the computer hacker with a penchant for vulgar jokes, of which most land, especially as you get to know her. There’s also Josh Hartnett as Danny Francesco, Greg Simmonds’ favorite movie star who’s brought in to help Orson and Sarah infiltrate Simmonds’ highly secure world. Hartnett’s combination of bumbling superficiality and intermittent competence made Danny both humorous and believable. All of this being said, Jason Statham is the star of the show, and he’s pretty solid. He probably would’ve been even better had they not set up Orson Fortune as a man of quirks and specific tastes. After all, “quirky” is one of the last words I’d use to describe Jason Statham. Then again, he’s here to do what he does best: kick ass. And that he does, in spades.

The action in Operation Fortune isn’t particularly innovative or violent, but it is thrilling. There are gunfights, car/foot chases, and the requisite Statham beat-em-ups, in which he still shines. There’s even a massive explosion near the end that looked very real, even though I’m rather certain it was fake (props to the VFX people). All in all, the action is diverting, the performances are lively, and the comedy is mostly amusing. On the flip side, Operation Fortune isn’t very Guy Ritchie-like, so those of you expecting his normal flourishes might find yourselves a bit disappointed. Without his trademark style, one could argue that this movie is somewhat run-of-the-mill. I’d say that assessment is valid, but I’d also say that its performances and wit elevate it above everyday fare. If you’re looking for a simple but satisfying way to kill a couple of hours on a lazy weeknight, Operation Fortune more than meets the brief.*

If I had to score it, I’d give Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre a 7/10.

Notes:

* [MINOR SPOILER] Operation Fortune has a pretty weak ending, if you can even call it that. This all comes down to the obvious intent to turn it into a series, which I hope comes to pass. I did really enjoy the in-credits epilogue, though, which helped me forgive the lackluster ending to an extent.