Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review says thanks to riveting source material, wry casting and director Guy Ritchie’s talent and wit, this WWII comedic thriller wins the day.

I was a little dubious when a notice appeared on the screen at the beginning of the film informing viewers the The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is based on recently declassified files of the British War Department, and inspired by true events. Filmmakers (I’m talking about you, Coen Brothers) have been known to falsely claim legitimacy for humor’s sake, and I’m amused by that.

But in the case of director Guy Ritchie’s latest cinematic effort, it happens to be true, as is the participation in the plot by James Bond author Ian Fleming. It’s a well known fact that his experience working for Britain’s Naval Intelligence Division during WWII inspired many of his 007 novels.

Of course, much of the rowdy goings on in the film are pure speculation, but who cares? It’s way too much fun to quibble over.

Ritchie, who is also big in the streaming world these days for his series based on his excellent film The Gentlemen, just seems to be getting better and better.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review — Clever casting

And while Ritchie’s casting instincts have always been spot on, he couldn’t have assembled a better cast for this one. The crew of good natured thugs and mavericks who are secretly commissioned by Winston Churchill to sink a strategic Nazi war ship includes, but is not limited to:

Former Superman Henry Cavill, Henry Golding of Crazy Rich Asians fame, the breathtaking Eiza Gonzalez (Ambulance) and perhaps most fun of all, Reacher’s Alan Ritchson. Here he’s a lot deadlier, and uses bows and arrows, knives and guns, as well as his fists, to annihilate those darn Nazis.

Sure, there’s an extraordinary amount of killing and violence—the film is ungentlemanly, after all. But when Nazis are the targets, it doesn’t sting much.

Now I acknowledge that no film is perfect—there are a few slow stretches in The Ministry, and the mission is dispatched with a bit too much ease—there could have been more twists, challenges and suspense.

But there is much enjoyment and satisfaction to be had from a film that shows the outnumbered underdogs prevailing over truly bad guys, as well as stuffy bureaucratic red tape.

Rated R

2 Hours

If this The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review encourages you to saunter over the the cineplex, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review says thanks to riveting source material, wry casting and director Guy Ritchie’s talent and wit, this WWII comedic thriller wins the day.