Review: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

If there is one thing I can count on, it’s having a blast while watching a Guy Ritchie film. From bloody stealth missions to an enchanting party filled with hijinx, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare will have you engaged from start to finish.

The film tells a story based on actual events during World War II. To stop Nazi U-Boats from preventing American help, Churchill (Rory Kinnear) calls upon Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill) and his team. The operation is unauthorized and unsanctioned. If found out, imprisonment and/or death is imminent. Even though the stakes are high, Ritchie fills the script with heroics and humor that perfectly balances believability and whimsy.

Ritchie leans into Cavill’s natural charm, making March feel more charismatic than he would on paper. That charm constantly demands your attention and keeps the movie from falling flat. Plus, he has chemistry with everyone, so each scene feels grounded. Each member of March’s team has their own set of unique skills that are a treat to see on screen. Alan Ritchson’s Anders Lassen is a delight to see on the screen. He looks (and can) kill anyone with even the smallest weapons, but his infectious enthusiasm paints him as a murderous little cinnamon roll that will make audiences fall in love with him.

While the team of men is highlighted, an interesting subplot following Marjorie Stewart (Eiza González) and Heron (Babs Olusanmokum) will also keep you on your toes. These two are also vital to the operation, and their intercut scenes keep the energy flowing. I wish we could have seen a little more espionage with these two, solely because the scene on the train showcases their spy talent so well, but what we get is a treat.

The action scenes are long and could feel drawn out, but Ritchie keeps the pace moving with captivating music and comedic timing to each kill. Typically, with these scenes, you can start to fall off and dread when the next one is coming. Instead, you can’t wait for the next scene because it’s so satisfying.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a perfectly executed film. It has effortless charm that strikes a nice whimsical tone meshed with the reality of what really happened. The look of the film itself is beautiful, with gorgeous locations and signature Guy Ritchie shots. From the music to the action sequences, the pacing fits a perfect beat that keeps you engaged while you wait to see what happens next. It would have been nice to see just a bit more espionage and fully flesh out some of the other side characters. That being said, it is a blast from start to finish and the perfect movie to throw on when you’re bored.