The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is an extremely entertaining movie.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a group of military officials hatch a daring plan to neutralize Hitler’s fleet of German U-boats during World War II. Made up of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, the top-secret combat unit uses unconventional techniques to battle the Nazis and change the course of the war.
This movie is all about smart and elevated writing, which feels very realistic in its approach to a mission. It’s classy and well-planned, using espionage, tactics, and strategy to obtain intel and carry out the mission. There are fantastic dialogue exchanges with quips, planning, and immersive strategizing to make you feel like you’re in the 1900s again, planning a battle. Alongside this is a comedy that matches the elegance of the movie. It’s very well-timed, reference-filled, and cultural warfare that is as deadly as a gun. The movie has a drier sort of rambling compared to most movies, but there were several times that I chuckled during it.
The good acting in this movie helps establish the theme well. The presentation and mannerisms of the special op group are very endearing and proper. Each character may not have a unique story or look, but they all come together to form a very elegant and suave band of fighters. Henry Cavill is particularly charming, with James Bond qualities that are both tongue-in-cheek and deadly when needed. His supporting cast each has their personalities that are different, yet not so extreme as to stand out too much. This is great for consistency, even if it is a little dull compared to other movies. My particular favorite was Eiza González, who brought such attitude and charisma to her role.
Apart from the good acting and classy writing, the movie has a balanced pace that allows enough time for details, without dragging the audience into so many details that they become drowsy. This creates a movie that offers a decent build-up to action scenes, culminating in a semi-engaging action scene. The warfare depicted in this movie is much more contained than in other movies.
The choreography in the movie is predominantly subdued, focusing more on stealth operations and simplified shots rather than full-blown warfare. Although the scenes are simpler, they still maintain a realistic feel that aligns with the movie’s overall theme. Consequently, the movie feels more grounded, which I believe will be appreciated by fans who enjoy war movies without the excessive gore that some movies tend to portray.
Overall, I can say that this movie is a more balanced and down-to-earth war story that feels at home in a history classroom. The fascinating portrayals and planning are fantastic, with smart writing that helps give you a taste of the intelligence side of warfare. Our crew is well ingrained into the movie and keeps everyone a part of the action as they battle the Nazis, led by some solid acting. With an engaging pace and realistic action, you get something that should not overwhelm you and still give you that war story bite. However, the movie’s toned-down approach may also be a weakness for those wanting that engaging, nail-biting choreography with boom, bang, and blood. You do have some cool moves, and the comedy does make it more bearable to help cut through the drier tones of the movie. If the movie had better character balance and some Hollywood magic, it perhaps would have scored higher for me. Overall, it’s a very engaging spy thriller that is worth a watch if you have the time and intrigue yourself.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is now playing in theaters
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