Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre – Yet Another Review. By Joe Muldoon.

When you decide to watch a Hollywood action-comedy with an all-star cast, you almost always know exactly what you’re getting yourself into; high-octane chase sequences, corny (albeit admittedly funny) jokes, a group of unusually competent professionals going toe-to-toe against a blithering idiot of an antagonist – director Guy Ritchie’s latest caper ticks all of the aforementioned boxes.

Billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant) is on the brink of selling a new weapons technology that would have devastating consequences for the world, and a group of experienced operatives is assembled to prevent the sale. Masterminding the mission from afar is Nathan (Cary Elwes), and helming the mission on the ground is agent Orson Fortune (Jason Staham), joined by agents Sarah (Aubrey Plaza) and JJ (Bugzy Malone).

Recruited by less than legitimate means (which is, of course, a polite euphemism for “blackmailed”) is airhead movie star Danny Francesco (John Hartnett), who is used as bait in order to meet Simmonds. To complicate matters, another rival undercover team is running a similar operation, they themselves seeking the arms dealer’s new technology. What naturally ensues is a globe-trotting race against time, topped off with some stylish fight sequences and explosive action.

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre doesn’t reinvent the wheel or bring anything particularly new to the already-crowded table of espionage action-comedies, but it never needed to be, because it works wonderfully as an entertaining popcorn flick. In a particular standout performance is Aubrey Plaza, who brings a selection of nonchalantly naughty quips along with her, and shows her versatility as an actress, proving that she would make a great action star. Predictably charming is Hugh Grant, who plays the egotistical criminal very comfortably. Despite being a relatively forgettable meat and potatoes picture, Operation Fortune delivers the only thing it ever needed to: fun.

By Joe Muldoon

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