The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is almost all plot with minimal drama or themes. Characters possess no personal stakes, internal conflicts, or arcs. What motivations they do have are told rather than shown. Consequently, the narrative lands more like a dry history book than an engaging tale. There's quippy banter, playful set pieces, and brief tension, but those positives get lost in the distant malaise. Meanwhile, the acting adds comedy, cavalier attitudes, personality, and a couple outbursts (yet feels fairly one-note due to the lacking intimacy). Overall, Ungentlemanly Warfare provides functional heist formulas and decent humor, but its emotional investment is thin.
Technically, Ungentlemanly Warfare prioritizes its comedy action tone with sporadic energy but otherwise feels flat. The imagery offers focus, brief composition, plain colors, and an underlit climax. Its editing adds split screens, intercuts, pacing, excessive cross cuts, and clunky momentum. The sound creates ample combat and emphasized drama. Its music harnesses rhythmic jazz, western influences, diegetic singing, and suspense. The production design has globe-trotting, era, and military world-building. Its cast provides clear fame and surprising fit. The effects use stunts, blood, mediocre CGI, prosthetics, and pyrotechnics. Ultimately, Ungentlemanly Warfare is competent but forgettable.
Writing: 4/10
Direction: 6/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 6.8/10