Operation Napoleon

No pun intended - and I reckon the movie some conspiracy theorists will love a lot. Though as with many other things, they will get the wrong message and also their comparison will be wrong - the mind set and all that. But let's not delve into that rabbit hole - no winning there ... to get tired of. Pun aside once again: the movie sets off nicely. We get to see something uncovered (I won't tell, so you can experience that for yourself) ... and what unfolds after that is quite something. Sometimes knowing the truth - knowing more than someone in power wants you to know ... is not the best thing. But again, do not draw the wrong conclusions with reality ... no reptile governments and all that - not that the movie is suggesting that ... just saying.

Not sure how I lucked out on seeing the trailer 2 days ago online but I'm glad I did. Ended up streaming this today as I had nothing better to do. As an avid reader of clive cussler, the storyline is a spot on copy of one of his books with more of a pursuit thriller tone than treasure hunt. I really enjoyed the casting and liked just about every character. I've seen maybe 10 Iceland films in my life and this will be one I rewatch. Could the storyline be a bit better... sure... but overall this was a fun watch and had me on the edge of my seat for a bit. Good pacing and never felt bored. Highly recommend.

Operation Napoleon_720p(480P)

I'm an unusual demographic for this film - I chose to watch it on Amazon Prime because I wanted to see Iceland and hear its ancient language, which I've been trying to learn. A busy schedule meant I had to order "Operation" a second time, and, when I did, it disappointingly came up dubbed, which didn't suit my purposes at all. So I couldn't see it through to its conclusion. But what I did see, I liked. The saga begins on Vatnajökull, that enormous glacier claiming eight percent of Iceland's territory. The movie takes us by surprise from the start, particularly with Adesuwa Oni as a seemingly stereotypical, bubbly American till her true character jumps out. The movie's early sequences aren't exactly plausible. It's intriguing that some snowmobilers stumble upon a Nazi aircraft unearthed by global warming. But how likely is it that sportsmen are gonna drop everything to dig a plane out of rock-solid ice? Or that a team of US-government snipers is gonna touch down to shoot at everyone in sight? I thought Iceland had sovereignty! Next we're on to the streets of Reykjavik, which I so enjoy visiting each winter (at least till COVID stalled my adventures). Vivian Olafsdottir is wonderful as a lawyer who gets sucked into the mysterious cabal, and I enjoyed watching her efforts to elude an armed goon. One place she darts into is glittery Kringlan mall, a place I like to go to as well. That's about where I stopped watching. I was intrigued enough by what I saw that I'll try the film a third time, and, ideally, hear Icelandic again. It strikes me as an archaic version of English, and I like trying to understand even the smallest bits of conversation. (English subtitles are indispensible, but I'd love access to the Icelandic ones as well.) By the way, Vivian's brother in this film evinces a delightful sense of humor. Love that message on his voicemail, something like, "Don't leave a message. Put it on a floppy, and send it through the mail." Yep, Iceland's elemental geography takes us back to Mother Nature and the essentials in life. Can't wait to make it back to the Land of Fire and Ice...

This is a solid thriller with a very appealing cast (including 3 very good villains, which for me means high marks); it needs subtitles because at least some of the dialogue is in Icelandic). The scenery in Iceland is terrific with excellent cinematography. The action moves along nicely. The only problem, which requires the usual willing suspension of disbelief, is that it revolves around some of the hoariest thriller clichés, almost as if the director had some kind of checklist and he needed to mark them all off (and tells me that perhaps I have seen too many movies), although the ending makes me wonder if all of that was a deliberate homage to thrillers. In any case, it is executed nicely, and is certainly worth watching.

If ever there was a 'foreign' film crying out for a Hollywood remake with a big director, star names and a decent budget, 'Operation Napoleon' is it. The premise of a mysteriously long missing WW2 Nazi plane and its clandestine mission re-discovered in Iceland (thanks to global warming) is a damn good one. However the low event feel, wooden cast and annoying crossover of Icelandic and English dialogue ultimately ruins it. Indeed, the film plays out more like a terrestrial tv show than a big screen movie. It even audaciously sets itself up for a sequel in an unneccesary tagged-on ending. Plus points are the stunning widescreen vistas, good pacing and some reasonable action sequences, but these are outweighed by a clunky screenplay, lack of chemistry between the two leads and the aforementioned wooden acting. Brit actor Jack Fox (from the Fox acting dynasty) is especially bad as a bumbling professor come sidekick, while the sadistic pencil-loving female CIA agent is downright laughable. I would suggest however, if you can get past all these obvious groans and gripes it's worth a watch, but don't expect a classic of the genre like The Odessa File, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or Marathon Man... this is more akin to a prime-time Netflix drama set in the snow.

Operation Napoleon is a great film for fans of mysteries and international intrigue. Its interesting plot shines, thanks to stellar cinematography and despite a rough screenplay and sometimes wooden performances from the cast. Operation Napoleon follows Icelandic lawyer Kristín (Vivian Ólafsdóttir), who is drawn into an international conspiracy and falsely implicated in a murder after her brother finds a Nazi plane atop the Vatnajokull Glacier. Now she must unravel the history behind the conspiracy, codenamed Operation Napoleon by the CIA, and escape U. S. agents tracking her down. As with many Nordic films, the style of acting in Operation Napoleon is very understated. This does not do the film too many favors when it comes to scenes of life and death, in which the characters struggle to emote and to immerse the viewers in each scene. The editing and cinematography are highlights - sets are believable; the color correction is consistently cold (to do justice to Icelandic winters); and everything looks great. The film doesn't slow down to breathe too frequently, which helps keep the momentum of the action going. But the screenplay is a mixed bag; the script doesn't provide enough detail behind many characters' goals and ambitions, and the story waits until the end to explain the real motive behind Operation Napoleon, in a relatively awkward way. Iain Glen, who plays William Carr, and Olafur Darri, who plays Einar, are the best actors of the lot. Ólafsdóttir and her male lead counterpart Jack Fox (who plays researcher Steve Rush) both come across as one-note characters. Still, the premise of the film is interesting enough to keep you watching. Operation Napoleon promotes honor and the pursuit of truth. I give Operation Napoleon 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. Operation Napoleon releases in theaters and on demand on August 11, 2023. By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST!

Not very good film but sometimes almost ok. The best thing about this movie was the pace. The movie never stopped or slowed down to breath. The action was nonstop and that is a good thing because you never had time to think about all the things that are wrong with this movie. The acting was typical "Icelandic" or wooden. Maybe not all the time but enough to bug me. The leading actress was the worst. Iain Glen and Olafur Darri not so bad. The cinematography was also funky or lackluster. Not sure why but the word amateurish comes to mind. I also didn't buy why some characters did what they did. The motivation was missing or wasn't shown. There are some scenes that are actually very good or at least not terrible. The fighting scene in the airplane was ok, nothing fancy but did the job. Also one or two scenes with Jack Fox and Vivian. I almost believed they liked each other. But most of the time I was thinking there is something missing here. Maybe better director or more money or both could save this movie from five stars that I'm giving it.

This is a perfect example of how you completely fail at adapting a book into a movie. The only thing this film has in common with the book is its title. The story, characters names; their backstory, age and even gender are different from the book in every way. I wonder how the book's author could have possibly greenlit this script. The result is a paper thin film, a typical cliché which brings nothing original or fresh to this genre of "made for Hollywood" film market. The characters drive, ambitions and goals are never solidified in any believable way. Heck they're barely introduced to the viewer by name half of the time. Just to top it all, the "plot" behind the movie is hastily explained after everything has transpired, followed by the lame "two weeks later" on a black screen. The tone of the film weirdly changes to an Indiana Jones movie, completely contradicting the vague character building we have been objected to throughout the film. The ending then gives a hint at a sequel which is funny considering there is only one book. But hey, why not, the book has already been established as a mere formality at this point.

I went to the theatre with pretty high hopes. With the trailer being interesting and me being a sucker for conspiracy movies. But as i left the theatre i was kind of split on what i thought. On one hand it was a well edited and filmed movie with good set pieces. And on the other hand the acting is often suppar, the protagonists motivation often doesint feel the same as they try and present it. And the antagonist could also have been better written and more intimidating. But for me what put me the most off, was what Operation Napoleon actually was. The movie clearly shows that whatever is on that nazi plane that crashed in vatnajökull is top tier secretive and anyone who even lays eyes on it without permission must be killed. This is showed throughout the entire movie. So eventually at the end of the movie when it's revealed what Operation Napoleon was. I was kind of disappointed. Not just in what it actually was but in how it was presented. In most conspiracy/mystery stories, the mystery is slowly revealed over time. But here its like we get to know who was involved in this operation and thats it. Until the end, where its all slam-dunked onto the viewers. What i would have found to make it better. If they simply increased the stake at the beginning when they find the plane. For example that one of the dead people being in that plane being... what the whole reason Operation Napoleon was. Then we'd also get more insight into this and we would also understand more to why its so secretive. And also with what Operation Napoleon was. If this was real, america could have spun this so easily on everyones head like they have done before with these kind of things.