Triple 9 (2016) (English Language)

Review

115min

Genre:       Crime, Action, Thriller

Director:    John Hillcoat

Cast:         Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, Kate Winslet…and more

Writer:      Matt Cook

-Synopsis-

A skilled armed robbery crew of ex-mercenaries and dirty cops is blackmailed by a brutal Russian crime boss into pulling a dangerous heist, but as a plan to kill a cop to create a distraction permanently blurs the lines between criminals and law enforcement, no one is safe in this gritty crime thriller from the director of ‘The Road’ and ‘Lawless’.

Aussie director John Hillcoat brings his dystopian cinematic sensibilities to the modern American crime thriller with this stark and gritty heist movie featuring heavy undertones of systemic corruption and a crumbling society.

With a focus on the almost invisible division between cops and criminals on the dangerous and seemingly gang-infested streets of Atlanta, you’ll know from the start that this film is a stark and unforgiving view of the darker recesses in modern America.

Led by Chiwetel Ejiofor, ‘Triple 9’ features an eclectic ensemble cast of accomplished screen actors and TV drama stars in appropriately testosterone-soaked roles, all put in their place by an unexpected villainous performance by Kate Winslet in an almost caricature version of a ruthless Russian mobster.

There’s no doubt that ‘Triple 9’ is heavily influenced by many a modern classic crime thriller, and there are echoes of familiar themes, characters and set-pieces throughout.

Hillcoat does his level best to combine the dirty cop gang warfare element of 2001’s ‘Training Day’ with the tactical heist, organized crime and investigation elements of Michael Mann’s classic ‘Heat’.

But one of the consequences of having such a large cast it that it’s difficult to flesh out every character and with only a couple of exceptions, the characters in ‘Triple 9’ mostly one-note and unlike films like ‘Heat’ it’s difficult for the audience to invest in them or engage when the tension ramps up.

Unsurprisingly the narrative is the major stumbling block which prevents this from being a truly memorable action/thriller, particularly in terms of the lead-up to the big score and the slightly underwhelming conclusion which follows. Despite generally strong performances and slick set-pieces, the lack of appropriately building tension or an engrossing storyline means that ‘Triple 9’ is not much more than the sum of its parts.

The Bottom Line…

Although it never reaches the heights of the gritty modern crime classics it’s clearly trying to emulate, ‘Triple 9’ is a well-crafted and solid enough crime thriller with an impressive cast that just about keeps you entertained if not engrossed throughout.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Heat (1995)

A highly skilled crew of armed robbers are hunted by a determined veteran cop as they meticulously plan a big final score on the streets of L.A. in this modern classic crime thriller from director Michael Mann, featuring a rare head-to-head between two screen legends.

Directed by Ben Stiller and starring Michael Mann and starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer among others.

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