​FILMS

triple 9

Triple less the suspense!

2016 review number 33: 

Triple 9: (Drama/Action/Thriller): 59 out of 100: Solid cast, shame about the results. It's been billed as a thriller but there's not many edge of the seat moments to justify that genre rating. Once you get your head around the convoluted story, you'll find that you won't really care about the characters. When it's difficult to empathise with the characters, that takes a lot of the emotional arc out of the story. If they live, good for them and if they die, good riddance to them!

 

A group of criminals and corrupt police officers including Russel Welch (Norman Reedus), Aaron Paul (Gabe Welch), Michael Belmont (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Marcus Atwood (Anthony Mackie) and Jorge Rodriguez (Clifton Collins Jr), are being blackmailed by the Russian Mafia led by Irina Vlaslov (Kate Winslet). Belmont has the most at stake because his son has been kidnapped by Irina so he has no other option but to complete their designated tasks. Fearing the impossible, they finally hatch a plan which involves killing rookie cop and Atwood's new partner, Chris Allen (Casey Affleck). This will enable the team to perform the heist while the majority of the police force are attending to the murder of the police officer or 999 (Officer Down). 

 

If you're expecting to see a fair bit of Woody Harrelson (Sergeant Detective Jeffrey Allen) and Kate Winslet, you'll be left disappointed as they are only in the support cast. They're not at their best though with Harrelson delivering a somewhat lackadaisical portrayal of the veteran cop while Winslet is genuinely over the top, especially with her accent. The most stirring performances are provided by Ejiofor, Mackie and Collins Jr. Affleck doesn't mumble in this role so you can actually understand every word he is saying.

 

There are moments of superb tension but there's simply not enough of them to promote this movie as a genuine thriller. The premise is suitable for generating superior thrills but the complexities of the story along with the lack of interest in the fate of the characters, lead to a feeling of 'who cares?' The director, John Hillcoat, cannot be blamed for any of these deficiencies as he has generated the right mood to match what he has been given in the script. 

 

A familiar feel hangs over this movie which dare I say it, makes it a little boring at times. It's not the masterpiece it could have been. Fix the story and the characters and you would have a movie worth remembering. What we are left with instead is an average action/thriller that promised so much but doesn't fully deliver.

 

Starring Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Woody Harrelson and Kate Winslet

(115 mins)

Parental advice: Coarse language, violence, nudity and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUtr5sjRvU (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Tuesday 23rd February, 2016)

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