I’m always interested when a big cast comes together for a film – and crooked cop action thriller Triple 9 certainly has that going for it.
Set in Atlanta (I know, not LA, New York or Chicago for once), John Hillcoat’s (Lawless) latest offering follows the story of a criminal group of corrupt cops and former special forces operatives who are all working for the Russian mob.
Leading the group are Michael Atwood (Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave) and Russel Welch (Norman Reedus – The Walking Dead’s Daryl), but they have to answer to mafia leader Irina Vlaslov (a much-changed Kate Winslet).
The rest of the crew consists of Russel’s ex-cop brother Gabe (Aaron Paul – Breaking Bad), dirty cop Marcus Belmont (Anthony Mackie – Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and another dodgy law enforcer Jorge Rodriguez (Clifton Collins Jr – Pacific Rim).
We’re treated to a scintillating opening to the film, with the team pulling off an exhilarating bank job that they believe will see them get rich – and also free from the clutches of the Russians.
Few heist films can rival the slick nature of that scene – and it’ll very much ensure you are invested in what follows.
From there the slow burning story kicks in, with the stakes raised even higher when the mob demands they take on a high-risk job that requires them to truly turn their backs on the day job.
That’s because, in order to take some heat away from their next job, they must perform a Triple 9 – which is code for killing another cop.
It’s a big taboo in America, but the ruthless team don’t really have any other choice.
On the ‘other’ side of the law, the squad are being tracked by Sergeant Detective Jeffrey Allen (Woody Harrelson – The Hunger Games series) and his nephew Chris Allen (Casey Affleck – Interstellar).
Harrelson’s troubled character reminded me of his turn as Marty in the excellent True Detective, while Affleck is the straight, do-gooding cop you’ll always see in this kind of movie.
The big names keep on coming too, with Wonder Woman herself Gal Gadot (Fast 5) playing a small role as Irina’s sister Elena and both Teresa Palmer (Point Break) and Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire) enjoying small cameos.
Revealing any more about the story would ruin the many twists and turns that unravel, but it’s safe to say that the highlights are the two heists, which essentially bookend the film.
They are both exciting, graphic and well shot – and will certainly have you on the edge of your seat.
The rest of the film doesn’t quite have the same intensity and does lose a bit of momentum at times, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.
It was good to see the excellent Ejiofor in a much different role as (perhaps) the lead. He looked right at home as a more ruthless character than he usually portrays.
It also gave me a real buzz seeing Reedus and Paul, big stars in two of my favourite TV shows, come together as brothers on the big screen, while Mackie delivers another good turn after his recent success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Props also to Winslet for her believable Russian accent in what is another strong (and villainous) outing for her.
Overall, there isn’t a lot not to like about Triple 9.
It’s one of the better heist-style films in recent years – and the awesome cast make this one of the best films so far in 2016.
Voice Verdict: 8.5/10
+ The two superb heists
+ Incredibly talented cast
+ Reedus and Paul as brothers
– A slow burner
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Feb 26 to Thurs, March 3)
**LONDON HAS FALLEN (15)
8.30pm (Thurs)
**THE FOREST (15)
6.30pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)
**SPOTLIGHT (15)
5.45pm (Sun-Wed)
**GRIMSBY (15)
12.10pm (Wed), 2.15pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 4.25pm (daily), 6.35pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)
TRIPLE 9 (15)
2pm (Wed), 3.30pm (Thurs), 8.25pm (not Wed/Thurs)
HOW TO BE SINGLE (15)
3.30pm (not Sun/Thurs), 6pm (daily), 8.30pm (not Thurs)
DEADPOOL (15)
1pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 3.30pm (daily), 6.10pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)
DAD’S ARMY (PG)
1.15pm (Fri/Sat/Wed), 3.30pm (daily), 6pm (Fri/Sat)
ZOOLANDER 2 (12A)
10.45pm (Sat/Sun)
ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: ROADCHIP (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), noon (Sat/Sun), 2.10pm (Sat/Sun), 4.25pm (not Mon), 4.25pm (subtitled, Mon)
GOOSEBUMPS (PG)
10.30am (Sat/Sun), 1pm (Sat/Sun)
THE REVENANT (15)
8.15pm (Wed)
CAPTURE THE FLAG (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun)
KIDS’ CLUB
10.15am (Sat/Sun) – Pan 3D (PG)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Spotlight (15)
** FREE LIST SUSPENDED
