My quick rating - 6.6/10. I generally enjoy movies directed by Guy Ritchie,and this is no exception as it takes a fascinating slice of World War II history and brings it to the big screen with a solid ensemble cast including Alan Ritchson and Henry Cavill. The film tells the story of a clandestine combat organization formed by Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming, whose unconventional and entirely "ungentlemanly" fighting techniques against the Nazis played a pivotal role in the war and laid the groundwork for modern black ops units. On the surface, the film has all the elements of a great war movie. The cast is strong, with Ritchson delivering a good performance as a Scandinavian character more like Jack the Ripper as opposed to Jack Reacher-type, leading a ragtag group on a Nazi-killing spree. Cavill brings his usual charm and intensity, adding weight to the fascinating narrative. The story itself is compelling, rooted in real events that could have made for an unforgettable cinematic experience. However, the film doesn't quite nail it completely. The pacing feels off, with moments that drag unnecessarily and the scenes with Eiza González seemed disjointed to me. Nothing wrong with her portrayal of Marjorie who is in cohorts with the team, just the situations she was in. The film also suffers from a lack of the stylistic flair that I expected from a Guy Ritchie production. It feels more like an "action movie by numbers" than a passionate retelling of a significant historical chapter. Compared to classics in the genre, this flick doesn't quite measure up. It lacks the charm and humor of Kelly's Heroes, the gravitas of The Guns of Navarone, the historical credibility of The Longest Day, and the sheer star power and likeability of The Great Escape. While it has its moments, the film struggles to establish a unique identity or deliver the emotional resonance that these films achieved. But it does say something that my mind even drifted off and compared this movie with those timeless classics. I'd say if you're in the mood for a straightforward action movie and enjoy watching Alan Ritchson's no-nonsense approach to dispatching Nazis with the help of some friends, you'll find this entertaining enough. However, those looking for something with more depth, style, or historical weight might find themselves underwhelmed.
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