Feels like Guy Ritchie is really pumping them out. Six films in five years. I’ve seen four of them, and The Gentleman is by far the strongest.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is second, avoiding the clumsiness of Operation Fortune and the sheer averageness of Wrath of Man. Mainly down to a hefty dose of British understatement, lots of “old chap”, and a cast that is clearly enjoying it.
Henry Cavill exemplifies this, what whatting his way through his dialogue as he sticks out his tongue whilst gunning down many Nazi’s with a comically quiet Sten Gun. Seriously, it’s like they’re all playing Medal of Honor, little “pft pft” noises everywhere as they dispatch soldiers. These scenes are fun though, so as a bit of strong ‘Brits mowing downing Nazi’s’ wish fulfilment it’s decent.
Cavill looking small next to someone is quite a task, but Alan Ritchson manages it. His accent is shaky, but he’s entertaining, with a nice bit of camp thrown in.
There’s a spy thread that doesn’t do much for me, though I understand showing both sides of the work that goes on in a mission. The Churchill is ropey too. Rory Kinnear looks nothing like him and isn’t well known enough to some kind of cool, interesting casting. Weird.
Unwieldy title aside, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare left me perfectly gruntled. It’s not going to wow you, but watching Nazi’s get killed is usually a good thing. Throw in some stylish gents doing it and the jobs a good’un old chap.
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