Triple 9 is corruption intermingled with a heist story. The best thing about it is that it has actors who can really act, and a director who can really direct. Just look at the star cast; you will be blown away to pieces by the number of veterans it packs. But the big question is does John Hillcoat use them enough?
TRIPLE 9 THEME: GET YOUR SPOILER SEAT BELTS ON
The movie justifies its moniker as it capers around the theme number of times. Pulling a Triple 9 as a diversion so that a robbery could progress unimpeded is what the movie endeavours to run its plot on. However, it focuses on everything else leaving out that perfect crime that it should have aced.
Triple Nine movie also tries to weave a complex story that entails dirty cops getting greedy for moolah, Russian clients withholding money to get more jobs done, threatening the team and familia to see the latter through, and betwixt all the commotion pulverizing a clueless good cop.
TERRIFIC DIRECTION OF TRIPLE NINE MOVIE
The way Triple 9 has been helmed will leave you appreciating the knack Hillcoat retains for acing cop-robbery movies. His pace is stunning and will keep you interested. He does a good follow up of characters, ending his incessant runs at right moments. However, the weird thing about his direction is that he ends up focusing on triviality too much. Like that instant where he follows up what Gabe Welch was drinking (Jack Daniels) to make a point.
MEDIOCRE HEISTS IN TRIPLE NINE
Whilst you might have seen bank robberies a bazillion times in movies, you might wonder if Triple 9 heists have something to shake things up a little. Sadly it doesn’t have that thrill to tingle your bones. The big question from the first heist is if they were doing it all for the money primarily, why didn’t they go for the money from the banks in the first place?
Overlooking that, and focusing on the good stuff, you see Chiwetel Ejiofor as Michael Atwood bringing in a rare charm through his demenaour. He walks around confidently, composedly seeing everything through, that will make you remember him for his finesse.
The second heist is performed by just two men that makes it a downhill journey per se. But surprisingly things pan out for them. Watch out for that security guard leg though!
CHARACTERS OF TRIPLE 9
Woody Harrelson’s flair is as astounding as all of his roles that somehow put him in a cop story. Sadly the screenplay basket doesn’t hold aplenty to gnaw upon. His character Jeffrey Allen build-up is not exactly heroic, but he still manages to reach there.
Casey Affleck creates a superb comportment for Chris Allen. He carries this rare cool mien throughout the movie with that everlasting chewing gum that you can feel that character come alive.
Anthony Mackie as Marcus Belmont is the next best thing to the tale. He is in a constant tussle with himself to pull a betrayal over Chris. Gabe Welch is the weakest link to the story as he tries to decimate the plans of the group suddenly with a change of heart. Even though Aaron Paul does fair justice to him, I wish the reason for him to turn should have been brought into the vanguard. Oooh Oooh Anthony Mackie calls him “Bitch!” one time. 😛
MICHAEL ATWOOD PLOT
Constant follow up to the Michael Atwood story will have you take him for a heroic figure, but Matt Cook, the writer of Triple 9 has other plans for him. Kate Winslet does a fairly good Irina Vlaslov but you can’t take her seriously for a mafia head. She doesn’t come too strong although her screenplay fits her character like a glove.
The most complex of all characters is that of Clifton Collins Jr. who plays Franco Rodriguez. You do not see him coming! The fact that everything sieves out on its own, might dilate your eyes though.
The best part of the Triple 9 movie which was superbly shot was that ‘breaking in the neighbourhood’ scene. The mission is a constant follow up as Chris heads his team with a tactical. The shootout is absolutely thrilling to watch.
OTHER PROBLEMS WITH TRIPLE 9
There are other downsides to triple nine apart from the aforementioned. For instance a lot of characters are simply there. I mean look at Gal Gadot who plays Elena Vlaslov. She becomes nothing but a sheer reference to her sister. There isn’t a proper character development there. Norman Reedus gets the faintest of screen time. I wish he had more. His talent ends up getting smothered, like literally, in the first few frames itself.
What constantly messes with the story is the fact that you are able to see everything through but unfortunately Chris isn’t. He is blind like a bat, and it becomes hopeless at times, if it weren’t for Jeffrey who constantly does the research and all the detective work. We could have done with a better climactic revelation kind of stuff in the end, which might have pulled the plot tauter. Also, the fact that Triple Nine goes a tad banal in the thrill department will have you miffed a little bit.
Even though there is subtlety to how the movie ends, threads still remain open. You are forced to wonder about so many things, and loose ends that don’t come to fruition. Every character is dispensable, so if you were saving your favourites, one recommendation: simply don’t!
THE FINAL CALL
At the end of it all Triple 9 still gets saved by powerpack performances by its stellar cast and brilliant direction.
Check out the trailer of Triple 9 movie here:
Triple 9
Pros
- Brilliant Direction
- Great Dirty Cop Plot
- Splendid Shootout follow up
- Stellar Cast
- Powerpack performances by all actors
Cons
- Fails to do a proper character build up
- Dispensable characters
- A lot of flaws if you look closely
