Directed by Guy Ritchie, audiences know there is a structured treat from his filmmaking. A film by Ritchie tends to be cheesy. That is the way that it works. In The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, the title is “cheesy.” The structure of it is also. The “cheesy” moments create a pattern of hilarity with inventive outcomes. The “inventive outcomes” are the depths of genius punchlines. The film consists of characters that appear to be amateur 007 soldiers. The lead soldier is Henry Cavill. Cavill is the king of witty gems throughout The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

I would define this film as a lighter version of Inglorious Basterds. It still has tons of mayhem and vulgar humor. It just is toned to the right amount. The setting is 1939, in the World War II era. Cavill plays Gus March-Phillips. His task is to assemble a team. Their mission is to take down the enemy lines coming from Germany. The men on his team are Anders Lassen (played by Alan Ritchson), Geoffrey Appleyard (played by Alex Pettyfer), Henry Fayes (played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin), and Freddy Alvarez (played by Henry Golding). The two spies on the outside are Marjorie Stewart (played by Eiza Gonzalez) and Heron (played by Babs Olusanmokun). The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a true story. It is a film with the steps towards what created the modern black operations. The reason why March-Phillips is the one assembled is because he does not follow orders. The risk-taking soldiers are what is needed to take on the unexpected mayhem. Ritchie knows when to be explosive.

Is the film serious? It is with the mission. With the humor, it is spot-on and fun to laugh and vibe with. It is a spy operation foundation that has the galore of explosive dissipation. Infiltration is key. It is with classifications of egos. With Cavill as the captain, he has got that attitude that he is undefeated while also keeping that sarcastic mindset. 

To return to the elaborations, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare surrounds the objective of U-boats and warships. Boats and places are the targets in the World War II era. The founder of the operation is Churchill (played by Rory Kinnear). The other commander-in-chief is Brigadier Gubbins ‘M’ (played by Cary Elwes). The superior characters are ones of knowledge and risk. The attitudes and the dynamics have a chemistry of knowing the risks of the mission and creating moments of sanity that are to die for. 

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare had me in thoughts of history. Was there accuracy to the film? Was there inaccuracy? Regardless, it kills with mind-blowing misdirection. The writing of the Allies keeps its flow. It stays focused. With a team of a force that goes by no rules, giving it their all is what the audience will find joy in with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Each team member has a mind-boggling quality. Richie gives his characters something to be remembered by before the action happens.

Will the mission go according to plan? What are the risks? Who is more skilled? The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a firework ride of history with killer personalities. Three out of four stars.