Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023)

International intrigue is the name of the game in the latest Action-Caper film from Guy Ritchie and he has delivered a winning mix of action and comedy with” Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre”. When a secret device known as “The Handle” is taken from a lab by a precision combat team, the U.K. government calls in Nathan (Cary Elwes), to gather a team and retrieve the item even though there is little known about what it is and what it can do. The simple fact that it was taken by force and is supposedly on the market for Ten Billion dollars makes this an item of high value. Nathan quickly recruits Orson (Jason Statham), away from his vacation and despite his quirks and laundry list of items required for his participation due to said quirks; he is soon brought into the group. The team is rounded out by young agent JJ (Bugzy Malone), and American computer expert Sarah (Aubrey Plaza), which irritates Orson to no end as he liked the tech he had become used to working with and the fact that they were hired away by a rival firm and Sarah’s give as good as she takes attitude causes him stress. It is learned that noted arms dealer Greg (Hugh Grant), appears to be brokering the deal and the crew travels from one part of the world to another with a rival team and all manner of dangers around them. In a race against time, the team brings actor Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett), into the mix as he is a favorite of Greg’s and the hope is that this will provide the team an introduction and access by having Sarah pose as Danny’s new lady. What follows is a madcap and comedic adventure with loads of enjoyable characters and situations and enough action to keep things moving and enough laughs to keep audiences smiling. The cast is great and works very well with one another and it would be great to see them do further adventures with one another as their shared dysfunctions, attitudes, and quirks make them realistic and engaging and a nice change from the indestructible Teflon agents we are so used to seeing in films of this type. 4 stars out of 5