OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE – Review

So, all savvy filmgoers know that the season for big, noisy action blockbusters is the Summertime (when the livin’ is easy), but with Spring break looming, well, why wait for some popcorn escapism? After all, we’re right in the middle of two big superhero franchise entries (from the competing studios), and a few days away from a thriller in a horror series, not to mention a sports sequel that opens on the same day. It may just be the perfect time for a spy spectacular since Bond is in flux (casting a new 007, y’know), Bourne is in limbo, and Mr. Cruise is about to trade in his flight suit for a tux full of nifty gadgets. I’m sure this new movie hopes to begin a “tentpole”, as it mixes in some satire and some “caper” elements (it’s a “movie mutt”, I tells ya’). Plus there’s a fan-favorite director behind OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE.

The opening sequence throws us right into the action as snippets of a violent attack on a secret lab are intercut with the clicks of a sharply attired Brit walking with purpose down a long hallway. At his destination, undercover operations supervisor Nathan Jasmine (Cary Elwes) gets his newest assignment from his boss Knighton (Eddie Marsan). It seems that the aforementioned attack was part of a theft of something deadly and unknown (it’s referred to as the “Handle”). And it appears that the thieves are going to sell it to the highest bidder, which would plunge the world into chaos. Nathan gets the go-ahead to assemble an elite team. His choice for leader, much to the ire of Knighton, is “human blunt force”, Orson Fortune (Jason Statham). His usual “cyber ace” (the “guy at the keyboard”) is part of a rival unit led by Orson’s “frenemy” Mike (Peter Ferdinando). The alternative is snarky American Sarah Fidel (Audrey Plaza). Luckily Orson’s backup “muscle” is on board, J.J. Davis (Bugzy Malone). As the mission ensues, Orson is surprised to see that a “bag man” is linked to undercover arms dealer Greg Simmons (Hugh Grant). But how to get past his heavily guarded estate? Just what does this billionaire want? Not if, but who. Greg was rebuffed when he tried to hire his favorite action film superstar Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) is “pop out” of his birthday cake. Sarah proves her cyber sleuthing “worth’ when she gets some dirt on Danny, thus adding him to the team. With Orson posing as his manager, and Sarah as his “arm candy”, can this unlikely trio pull a fast one on Greg and retrieve whatever the Handle is but the whole planet goes kaput?

In the title role, Statham once again delivers as one of the most consistent and compelling action stars. During several exciting action sequences ( a fight on a yacht, a chase into a building, etc.), this swaggering screen superman shows no hint of slowing down (as opposed to a certain 80s star whose stunt had to be “tweaked” and “sped up” AKA undercranking). The only problem is that his Orson, despite a new quirk (his “deal” involves private jets stocked with vintage vino), is pretty much like most of his other roles, even his self-parody in SPY. To give him a little more of a sparring partner, the filmmakers have cast Plaza, perhaps in hope of some “opposites attract” sparks. That never really ignites, but it’s a nice change for her from the edgy comedies and odd “indie flicks” ( though she was remarkably great in her crime thriller EMILY THE CRIMINAL, who could’ve kicked Orson’s tail). Yes, she does grab the laughs even though she’s saddled with the now cliche “gigabyte gobbledygook” (“Some firewall…I’m in!”), and really goes confidently “glam” as the big’s star’s “bimbo” Mikala. In that disguise, she has almost as much fun as Hartnett, who seems delighted to skewer spoiled, indulgent mega movie star “himbos”. Also “havin’ a laugh” is Grant who adds Greg to his growing roster of lowlife villains, combining elements of his Baddies” from THE GENTLEMEN and PADDINGTON 2. He can barely hold back a wink at the camera as he fawns over Danny while brazenly lusting for Mikala. Elwes has the stiffest of upper lips as the buttoned-down uptight exasperated head honcho, whose “slow burn” is matched by his superior Marsan. And kudos to Malone whose J.J. is a great laid back, highly skilled teammate to Orson.

Oh, that fave director I mentioned earlier, well it’s the prolific Guy Ritchie. Here he’s taking a respite from his low-class thugs and punks to hobnob with the smart set in lavish sets and locales, while sharp-dressed operatives ply their deadly trade. It’s all slickly and energetically done, but, well it’s just so familiar. From the aforementioned computer wizardry (I kept thinking of Napolean Dynomite’s “hacker” dreams) to the clumsy “actor tossed into real danger”, which was done so superbly in last year’s THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (you can’t beat Nick Cage making out with himself). Perhaps this was due to the film sitting on the shelf too long as it changed studio hands and dealt with real-life global dustups. The big “reveal” of the Handle lands with a dud (it might’ve been a threat from S.P.E.C.T.R.E.), and the double and triple-crosses become more tiresome and confusing than clever. Despite Statham’s combat skills and Plaza’s off-kilter delivery, it all feels like a MISSION IMPOSSIBLE rip-off Netflix seems to churn out several times a year. And even though its mid-end credits sequence revels in a “biting the hand” wit, the gag fizzles, and flops much like the largely forgettable OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE. Wonder if that’s French for “failed franchise”?

2 Out of 4

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE is now playing in select theatres