Guy Ritchie is back in action comedy mode when The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare arrives in theaters April 19th. The WWII era pic stars Henry Cavill with supporting work from Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Cary Elwes.
The writer/director is no stranger to the genre. On a side note, Ritchie has been a busy man as Warfare marks his sixth feature in as many years. Similarly marketed 2019’s The Gentleman opened in line with expectations at just over $10 million. On the other hand, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre stalled with a mere $3.1 million in its start.
I suspect this may open in between two Ritchie projects in the mid single digits.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare opening weekend prediction: $7.6 million
For my Abigail prediction, click here:
For my Spy x Family Code: White prediction, click here:
All My Life... I Wanted To Be A Blogster 
Interesting well-written blog assessment; thank you!
This film fails in advance for me based on bad casting. Henry Cavill, no. He cannot act from what I’ve seen. He poses and has zero rizz w/ female stars. Ex.: Excellent actor Sam Rockwell was far more charismatic and watchable, generally and in romantic scenes, in Argylle than Cavill, meh.
Some people in Hollywood seem to keep falling for Cavill’s face etc. and casting him, but beyond stereotypical superman-type handsomeness, he doesn’t do anything compelling w/ those looks imo. (In contrast to actors like Rockwell, Jesse Plemons, Austin Butler & Andrew Garfield.) It’s not that being good looking (or at least interesting enough to compel being watchable) shouldn’t be part of the casting equation since it’s film/fantasy (not real life where we’re more accepting of unattractive appearance), just that rizz and acting talent round out the package.
Alan Richson in the Ungentlemanly film, who I’ve seen in the Prime series Reacher, is like Cavill — wooden and boring to watch even if technically handsome. Oh, now he picks up a gun. Oh now he fires several rounds and people fall down dead. Oh now he struts around the room. I didn’t even finish the series.
Walton Goggins (older, technically less good looking at his age objectively) in Fallout series on Prime is by contrast so compelling as an actor (and nice enough looking at any age to be watchable) that I binged the series. And cannot wait for more in the next season.
So for me other actors, yes, but Cavill and Richson are a one-two no punch.
Maybe their lack of rizz/acting talent showed on the finished film so that’s why the globally limited release and then to Prime for this film. I’ll wait to watch it there and likely turn it off midway. If it were only in theaters, I’d pass on this 100%.
Hollywood etc. where films and series get made need to realize that their film marketing hype works best w/ people who do not think for themselves, or fall easily into groupthink — but for the vast majority of the rest of us who love the art and entertainment form of movies, we don’t buy tickets to see performers we know in advance are going to disappoint. (Exceptions can be made when one or two actors are famous but weak in talent and the rest of the cast/director, for ex., is great.)
The foregoing is my opinion; others are entitled to theirs. Not going to debate what I’ve stated. Words for all about films to watch: Live and let live, and spend your money as you see fit.
Also want to say thanks for your list of “shoulda been contenders” at the Oscars of past years. As much as I love the freedom of having different opinions, there’s also a caring happy feeling when others love so many films/performances in common.
Since Villeneuve is in the news as Dune 2 (which I’ve seen twice on theater big screens) continues its run heading to 700M+ box office globally, I loved that you would have given Amy Adams an acting Oscar for Arrival. It’s Villeneuve’s greatest film, imo, and I hope film history will ultimately agree.
Thanks for reading! Appreciate the comments