Look into the dead eyes of a killer.
Imagine taking a few “over the hill” actors, a few new upstarts, and a couple of “big time” comedians. Now make them all killers and lock them in a building that will explode within a given time frame and let all hell break loose. This is the basic plot of Operation: Endgame, the Directorial debut of Fouad Mikati. (Don’t know who that is? Me either, I had to look him up on IMDB.)
This is the only Fouad Mikati I could find. He must be a director though, because he's confidantly wearing a scarf in Summer.
Anyway, the basic synopsis is that two teams of five spy agents are working in the same building as a black ops group for the US Government. The two teams, dubbed Alpha and Omega, share cubicle space and spend all their time trying to undo what the other team is doing. Named after tarot cards, each team member has a specialty of one kind or another. Judgment (Ving Rhames) is an explosive expert, Magician (Adam Scott) works the economic terrorism making sure “the third world remains the third world”, Rob Corddry (from Hot Tub Time Machine, or that other funny bald guy that wasn’t in Anchorman), and many more.
Not in Anchorman!
These two teams are headed up by The Devil (Jeffrey Tambor from the excellent Arrested Development). When the Devil is found dead, the two teams note that Operation: Endgame is in effect.
Operation: Endgame is a plan that locks the underground bunker from the outside world and allows for a ninety minute window before the place becomes filled with Napalm. Sound as retarded as trying to rape a balloon with a condom made of porcupine quills? Yeah, it is. Essentially, it’s just a stupid reason to keep these two teams locked together and at each other. Now, hidden underneath the entire goings on is “The Hermit”. He’s a one man wrecking crew that takes no sides and strikes fear into all. This role is played perfectly by the amazing Zach Galifianakis. Unfortunately he’s on screen far less than everyone else. Fortunately, every time he’s on the screen he’s amazing. I found myself laughing at the way he’d simply saunter through a hallway.
Galifianaks + Hallway = Comedy Gold
The writing is well done as far as the dialogue is concerned. As far as the story is concerned, it’s lacking quite a bit. Throughout the movie the Inauguration Speech by President Obama is cut in and seems to play a role in what’s happening. By the end of the movie, I kind of understood the motivation for plot to move forward, but it, like the rest of the contrived scenario, was retarded. The saving grace of this movie is the amazing humor it provides. Rob Corddry fills every line with a huge dose of manic psychosis, and the few times Galifianakis does talk are humerously memorable. You’ll find yourself smiling throughout this entire film. If not for the great dialogue, then for the shoddy “action” sequences.
This movie aims for a good time, and that’s what it delivers. Like a much funnier version of “Shoot ‘Em Up”, this movie has a great time and tries to tack on a plot at the end. The fight scenes leave much to be desired, but the psychotic outlook on the situation more than makes up for it. It’s murder with a smiley face.
This is a punch-line.
I recommend this as a rental with 7/10 ships.
Written By Farva (Aka: He who smites kittens)