Operation Fortune: The Spy Movie That Breaks The Rules (And Gets Away With It)

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In 2023, the action-packed spy film titled “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre” breaks a conventional rule for its genre yet compensates with numerous comedic stunts. Directed by Guy Ritchie, who is known for his work on The Gentlemen, this movie stars Jason Statham as the witty spy Orson Fortune. He’s paired up with tech genius Sarah Fidel (Aubrey Plaza), weapons expert JJ Davies (Bugzy Malone), and Hollywood actor Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to prevent a $10 billion arms deal orchestrated by the cunning billionaire Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). While the group endeavors to thwart this dangerous transaction, there’s far more laughter than actual action that unfolds.

In the film “Operation Fortune,” directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham, there are many familiar tropes seen in spy movies, such as car chases, hidden microphones, a helicopter escape, a glitzy party scene, and an unexpected twist that Mike is actually working on his own. However, unlike classic spy series like James Bond, Mission: Impossible, or Bourne, this movie leans heavily on humor rather than action, making it a comedic take on espionage, although not a satire or parody. Unfortunately, what sets the iconic spy franchises apart is somewhat absent in this 2023 production.

Operation Fortune’s Spy Team Is Rarely In Danger

Orson And His Allies Breeze Through The Conflict

In an unusual turn for an action-packed spy flick, the cast of Operation Fortune seldom finds themselves in perilous situations. Aubrey Plaza’s character in the movie momentarily brandishes a gun to fire at an enemy vehicle to escape pursuit, yet she remains unharmed and never directly confronts immediate danger throughout the film. Similarly, Jason Statham’s Orson Fortune frequently encounters adversaries with guns or finds himself in precarious predicaments, but there’s little indication of actual danger for his character. Instead, Orson consistently manages to emerge unscathed, readying himself to exchange blows with another enemy.

In spy movies, increasing tension by trapping the main character in an inescapable perilous scenario is a common technique to heighten suspense. However, throughout Operation Fortune, it’s rarely suggested that Orson will be defeated by Mike, Alexander, or Greg’s team. Even when there are action scenes or gunfights in the movie, they tend to be brief and mainly serve to showcase the exceptional skills of Orson’s operative unit.

In the movie “Operation Fortune”, Jason Statham’s character seems to resemble a caricature or imitation of an action hero, much like in the style of “Austin Powers”. However, the film doesn’t fully explore or satirize this genre to a level that adequately explains why there are few real dangers and consequences for Statham’s character.

Operation Fortune’s Clever Humor Makes Up For Its Lack Of Action

Operation Fortune Doesn’t Take The Spy Genre Too Seriously

Although Operation Fortune may not be particularly perilous, it manages to entertain as a fun addition to the spy comedy genre, thanks to its humorous antics and endearing cast. Compared to Kingsman, which excels at combining action and humor in a more accurate spoof of the James Bond series, Operation Fortune opts for more subtle parody, using comedy to amplify its action-packed elements instead.

In the post-credits scene of “Operation Fortune,” Aubrey Plaza’s sharp humor, Jason Statham’s swift intelligence, and Hugh Grant’s charismatic acting blend together to deliver an enjoyable comedy packed with thrilling spy elements, rather than the other way around. One particularly exciting “battle” sequence in “Operation Fortune” takes place on a rooftop where Ben Harris rushes at Orson, only for Orson to promptly hurl him off the building’s edge.

In a jocular vein, I must say this film sequence serves as a testament to Guy Ritchie’s knack for injecting humor into his works, particularly in portraying the bungling of the villains in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. While it may not rank among my favorite spy flicks from this master director, it certainly delivers a witty script and an irreverent spin on familiar genre elements that make for an entertaining cast of spies, even including the rogue Greg Simmonds.

Other Fun Spy Movies That Break The Genre Mold

Jason Statham Was Even Better In Another Spy Comedy

Although Operation Fortune playfully challenges spy genre conventions, it certainly isn’t the initial film to find humor in these tropes. When considering amusing spy flicks, it’s challenging not to instantly recall the Austin Powers series. These movies serve as parodies of ’60s and ’70s spy films, with titles that satirically reference Bond movies such as The Spy Who Shagged Me and Goldmember. They also address familiar themes like the villain’s over-the-top schemes to eliminate the protagonist or humorous quips following an enemy’s demise.

The Kingsman series adopts a more sincere approach to the spy genre compared to Austin Powers films, yet maintains an affection for the classic Bond movies. It cleverly embraces and subverts traditional tropes. Furthermore, it injects unexpected elements such as intense action scenes and plot twists, often using the phrase “This isn’t that kind of movie” to surprise viewers.

In a twist of events, Jason Statham isn’t new to this genre comedy; he delivers an unexpectedly hilarious act in the film Spy. Melissa McCarthy takes the lead in this comedy, portraying an ordinary office worker at a spy agency who, unbeknownst to many, is quite adept as a field agent. On the other hand, Statham embodies the stereotypical over-the-top action hero he’s famous for, yet reveals a lack of brains to match his bravado, often jeopardizing the mission due to his less-than-smart choices.

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2025-04-28 23:08