Review: 'Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre' is the Guy Ritchie film you expect but disappoints in execution

Operatin Fortune: Ruse De Guerre

When you tune in for a Guy Ritchie film, you know what you sign up for. Kick-ass action, suave people looking sharper than ever, good humor and age-old agent-bad guy action. Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre does have all of this and in abundance but doesn't entirely land with its intention of exhibiting some insane fun. Having had the chance to see the film beforehand, here's what i thought about it-

The Guy Ritchie Formula

In an effort to make his signature as style prevalent in this seemingly harmless action caper, Guy Ritchie delivers on what you expect out of him. Good-looking people doing some badass things and amid all that, there's always a bad guy with cruel intentions and a plot twist about a good guy-going-bad. All that continues to be a factor thus making Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre as fun as it sets out to be.

The Lack of Novelty

That's where the fun ends though. Apart from the quintessential elements that one enjoys, Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre stays banal, predictable and almost boring at more instances than one. The action pieces and the flashiness of it entertains you but the globe-sized potholes in between do not fill up for the void. 

Watching Hugh Grant doing another Hugh Grant easily deviates from being charming to annoying, which isn't quite intended. Josh Harnett as the fictional star Danny Francesco also seems charming initially but doesn't hold any relevance after a few plot developments have gone by.

Sparks & Misses

Easily the best part about the film, Aubrey Plaza portrays the appeal she intends to. Wearing the red dress looking killer and then doing what she does best - comedy: Plaza is wonderful and an absolute delight. The amazing thing about watching Jason Statham beat up people for the umpteenth time is that it still has an impact in a way. 

Rest of the cast, while have some interesting roles and arcs to play, don't do much. And thus one of the biggest miss - is the writing for the film. Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies manage to do a tickbox exercise to incorporate the Guy Ritchie stuff but seemingly forget to intertwine a decently engaging storyline in between that.

The Verdict

With sparkling VFX, set design across borders and incredibly gorgeous people doing clean and impactful action, Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre delivers in its intention but doesn't manage to incorporate the other elements which would have made it a lot more entertaining than it was.

Rating - **1/2 (2.5/5)