Triple 9 (2016) [Blu-ray]
Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

A gang of criminals and corrupt cops plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull off their biggest heist yet across town.

Storyline: In TRIPLE 9, a crew of dirty cops are blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for "officer down". Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge. Written by Open Road Films

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, May 23, 2016 The "Corrupt Cop(s)" genre isn't particularly new or noteworthy, but Triple 9 freshens it up a bit. From the pen of Writer Matt Cook and the talented eye of Director John Hillcoat (The Road, Lawless), Triple 9 captures an edgy, gritty, dark tone of underground violence and corruption when several cops are charged with pulling a job -- and then another -- to clear the name of a high value Russian mobster. Certainly a far cry from the land of originality, the movie covers its lack of ingenuity with tightly-wound tension and dynamic characterization in a sprawling, multi-character, multi-angle, complexly constructed story. Though the film was negatively noted for multiple cast changes throughout its production history, the final product yields a talented cast and proves both entertaining and sometimes startlingly executed, with several key action scenes impeccably staged. All of that plus good surrounding characterization puts the movie over a difficult hump that many before it have tried to conquer but failed in the effort.

The world isn't always black and white. Good guys aren't exclusively good, and bad guys aren't exclusively bad. Two cops -- Marcus Belmont (Anthony Mackie) and Franco Rodriguez (Clifton Collins, Jr.) -- must cross the line and pair with a trio of hardened criminals -- Michael Atwood (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and brothers Russell and Gabe Welch (Norman Reedus and Aaron Paul) -- to pull off a risky bank heist for the wife of a Russian mobster (Kate Winslet), skipping by the money and securing evidence against him stored in a safety deposit box. The robbery is successful, if not overcomplicated by greed. However, the group is forced into pulling off a second job before they're released from commitment and paid for their troubles. The Russians make sure the men know they mean business, and they're left with no choice but to involve Marcus' partner Chris Allen (Casey Affleck) and pull off a dangerous infiltration by gunning down a cop and calling in a "triple 9" (officer down) to thin the ranks and gain easier access to their target.

There are two factors at play that make Triple 9 something of a success, not so much a unique take on its genre but certainly an interesting and welcome addition to it. First is the skilled craftsmanship that infuses the story with a much-needed edge that generates a tangible darkness, enhances the movie's bleak undertones, and underscores the deeper human interest narratives at play. Director John Hillcoat certainly knows his way around effectively bleak storytelling, and with the movie's sprawling character roster, complex narrative, and multi-layered plot devices, Triple 9 gives him no shortage of room to explore. But even with all of that at his disposal, the film never strays. The movie is tight and streamlined, managing its pieces with both efficiency and intimacy. Bloody violence, deep characterization, and difficult emotions are enhanced by moviemaking that's effectively slick but, more than that, realistic in approach and execution. Several scenes exemplify that, including the opening bank heist, a house clearing sequence midway through, and a key explosion of violence late in the film. All of them are intimately character-driven, but Hillcoat nails the surrounding details, giving the movie a realistic edge that draws the viewer into the film and enhances both the broader plot points and character details, helping the film to shed its lack of original storytelling with an honest approach by way of dark and gritty realism.

The other part of the Triple 9 success story lies in its cast. Though the film rolled through a number of casting changes that included a number of high profile departures from key roles -- including Christoph Waltz, Shia LaBeouf, and Cate Blanchett -- the final cast is still an impressive roster of Hollywood who's-who, which includes an interesting pairing of Aaron Paul and Norman Reedus, who have previously starred in two of TV's biggest shows -- Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, respectively -- and, in Triple 9, play brothers. Even as the film fields a rather crowded collection of characters and an impressive cast list, Director John Hillcoat juggles the overflow of talent very well, and the actors capably fall into character, even as some of the details are murky from a script that's sometimes a little too aggressive and bloated for its own good. Still, the finished roster is impressive and the talent by-and-large gels in both action scenes and harder-hitting character moments that play well together in shaping a quality movie from top to bottom.

Triple 9 may not redefine its genre, but it lights a spark under it. While the movie may occasionally struggle to wade through all of its dark and murky turns and lengthy character roster, its boasts a strong cast and tight direction from a director who's on top of his game. The film additionally boasts several memorable scenes that elevate it beyond its otherwise stock parts. Universal's Blu-ray release of Triple 9 is a bit to skimpy in the extras department, but video and audio presentations are excellent. Recommended.

[CSW] -1.4- Sorry the plot holes and impossible character acting against type went beyond incredulous into totally unbelievable. Very good actors totally wasted. Not a bad as an action flick but it is next to impossible to care about such morally corrupt characters. The cast is excellent, but the script and directing are terrible. If ever there was a "Meh" movie, Triple 9 is it.
[V4.0-A4.5] MPEG-4 AVC - D-Box


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