The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024)
Keep Calm and Cavill On.
Let’s get some more action in our lives. Want a fun crew? I’ve got a movie with at least three names and faces I recognize. Does it carry the classic “based on a true story” tag? Sure does. Trailers had this added to my list a while ago, so I’m not going to act like it’s any kind of surprise that I’m watching it tonight - especially after it hit Netflix and I didn’t have to pay extra for it. Strap in for a mouthful of world war Bond, tonight we are introduced to The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
The Nazis are taking over Europe. Britain would love to get some help from their rambunctious offshoot the United States, but the German U-Boats have the water ways on lockdown. British intelligence has found the location of a boat containing a bulk of filters used to supply these submarines with air, but the problem is it’s in a non-aligned are that they can’t just openly attack. Thus, the prime minister concocts a plan- put together a crew that can be disowned and do a wonderful black ops to take out that boat. What follows is a fun filled romp of destruction, and classic Nazi-beating.
Actors do fine here. I feel like perhaps some might feel it’s not as good at times - but I think it’s intended to be somewhat dry for a lot of the Brits and the likes. In turn, it leads me to appreciate the Dungeons and Dragons party dynamics of this ragtag group of danger goofs for some of the more humorous and incredibly nonchalant “coolness” that they exude. It’s much like a rule of cool over being incredibly serious I feel - so perhaps let that flavor your opinion and it may carry you further that way. Some lines are perhaps not as impressive as usual, some really nail the comedy I assume the movie was intending to go far. Bad guys are suitably bad guy like (at least the main ones), a lot of the grunt level stuff plays much like normal soldiers for any side - a bit lacking in overall flavor perhaps, but solid enough to work for the purposes of the movie.
Characters are very much like the actors in some regards. They have little character blurbs to set them up as some rad dudes (or lady), much like the aforementioned role playing game. I won’t call it anything that’s going to probably really appease the major drama and story fans, but as far as action or ruggedly handsome espionage war movie stuff goes, it’s not exactly unexpected. They have their individual looks, quirks, and styles - enough so they don’t blend together, but not so much so that they all feel exceptionally unique.
Some savvy looking sailors.
Costumes are pretty period, but at the same time leave enough room to make folks look somewhat individual. It’s very period, so don’t expect anything too crazy rambunctious outside of a costume party - but it does blend it nicely and give you that immersion feel. That said, one outfit looks far more modern than the others, although I think it’s less because it is and more because most folks are wearing drab greys and browns while that one is nice white and blue. I’m sure some could find some inconsistencies as far as historical accuracies, but I wasn’t really looking for such because I’m not a big history person and I’ve learned to not really fully believe every movie wants to be totally accurate and realistic. Still, between that and the plenty of different setting sections, the movie visually all looks quite well.
Effects are also pretty good, especially all the fun explosions. Pacing is decent, although I could see some feeling it can be a bit cutty between actions playing out. It’s not the atrocious “fence jumping” scene level of cutting, rather far more like a showing two different sides of one scene where it will cut to group A doing there thing then group B as they are doing their thing or response to group A. There’s also a bit of humor to how some of it plays out, leaning into the “ungentlemanly” aspect of silence weapons and casually putting down the enemy to get things done as though they are not only a well oiled machine but also invincible as though it’s just another Tuesday despite being four guys up against fifty enemy soldiers. Some of the jokes have the potential to be received poorly I’m sure, but the movie did get a laugh or two out of me regardless and I don’t tend to take offense very easily.
Audio is pretty good. Lines are delivered fine in my opinion - at least in the sense that I believe it was intended. I do quite enjoy the soundtrack in this one - it’s very swing, and I like me some swing. In the typical fair fashion, it doesn’t stick with me afterwards, but I did really enjoy it regardless. For the thinking person, I don’t really know how much of it there is. The fanciest real setup we have is effectively the creation of black ops, and I guess that could bring with it questions of morality and the greater good, or we could talk about some Nazi racism and standing up to evil, but I’m really not the one to pick out the thinking stuff to begin with and the movie doesn’t really feel like it puts a whole lot out there extra.
The classic arch nemesis of the world.
I had a good time and a lot of fun with the movie. I wouldn’t perhaps call it the greatest - but it’s far from being the worst too. It’s good as far as action with some comedy to it, it’s got that wonderful player character group that has a splendid action movie dynamic to them - but I can see where the hard character and drama enthusiasts wouldn’t be as entertained. That said, we do have a far more spy-thriller sort of feel with the B team, but either way I feel like this one is a good time for most folks who like some action in their movies.