The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE: 

GUY RITCHIE CRAFTS AN ENTERTAINING WWII SPY COMEDY! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

LIONSGATE

Henry Cavill, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Golding Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Alan Ritchson in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

 

            Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2, The Gentlemen) does The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in World War II (Even right down to having the same lead actor in both films) in his new spy comedy, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. For the most part, I’ve enjoyed much of Guy Ritchie’s filmography and even when a film of his doesn’t quite stick the landing (I personally did not care for his King Arthur movie nor his Aladdin remake that much), he puts a lot of passion in what he’s bringing to the screen and delivers something that will at least be somewhat entertaining. 

            The movie looked promising by the trailer; a fun but probably not historically accurate spy comedy set in World War II with a ragtag cast of characters fighting Nazis. Sort of like what Quentin Tarantino did for Inglourious Basterdsit seemed which I was down for. 

            So, now that I’ve seen the movie how does this movie hold up in comparison to Ritchie’s other work? It’s good. 

            I will say, it’s one of Ritchie’s weaker efforts and definitely pales in comparison to Snatch, the first Sherlock Holmes, The Gentlemen, and even The Man from U.N.C.L.E. but it’s still a well-directed and enjoyable film regardless with charismatic performances by the cast, witty dialogue, and satisfyingly gritty violence against Nazis. 

            The film tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during World War II by UK Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials consisting of Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill-DC Extended Universe, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Argylle), Marjorie Stewart (Eiza González-Baby Driver, Godzilla VS Kong, Ambulance), Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson-The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014 movies), Fast X), Freddy Alvarez (Henry Golding-Crazy Rich Asians, A Simple Favor, The Gentlemen), Geoffrey Appleyard (Alex Pettyfer-I Am Number Four, In Time, Magic Mike), Henry Hayes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin-Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, The Woman King, Picture This), and even author Ian Fleming (Freddie Fox-The Three Musketeers (2011), Victor Frankenstein, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword) who would eventually write the James Bond novels, under direction from Brigander Gubbins ‘M’ (Cary Elwes-The Princess Bride, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Saw). The team goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques ultimately changing the course of the war and laying the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare. 

            The film also stars Babs Olusanmokun (Wrath of Man, Dune: Parts 1 and 2, The Book of Clarence) as Mr. Heron, Til Schweiger (The Replacement Killers, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, King Arthur (2004)) as Heinrich Luhr, Henrique Zaga (Teen Wolf, The Stand, The New Mutants) as Captain Binea, Rory Kinnear (James Bondfranchise, The Imitation Game, Men) as Winston Churchill, and Danny Sapani (Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Black Panther 1 and 2, Halo) as Kambili Kalu. 

            Overall, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare probably won’t become a new Guy Ritchie classic, but I had a fun time with this movie. As already mentioned, I doubt this movie is historically accurate so I won’t even try to compare it to what realistically happened and will judge it as a film. 

It is neat to see Guy Ritchie deliver a movie based on a true story in World War II and still give it his signature directing style with old-fashioned movie text fonts, humorous dialogue between characters, and moments of intense violence. All the action scenes are well staged and get your adrenaline pumping with Nazis getting gunned down, stabbed, shot with bows and arrows, and mowed down with an axe left and right, what’s not to love? 

The characters are also very entertaining and have this lovable energy and charisma throughout. While I don’t think these guys leave nearly as big an impact as Brad Pitt’s Lt. Aldo Raine and the Basterds, I was invested in each of their storylines and laughing with them along the way. 

It seemed like the cast really enjoyed working on this movie because nobody is phoning their performances in (Not even the side characters or Nazis) and they’re all having a ball breathing life into these characters. Til Schweiger in particular is great as this cartoonishly evil Nazi leader who is just as charming as he is diabolical, not exactly Christoph Waltz Hans Landa level but still an entertaining, scenery-chewing antagonist that you love to see get his comeuppance in the end. 

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare doesn’t do anything groundbreaking nor does it give a new perspective on World War II, it’s just an entertaining popcorn movie that effectively brings a declassified WWII story to the screen. If you’re looking for a movie along the lines of Inglourious Basterds, this ain’t a bad one to check out.