REVIEW: Triple 9 (2016)

Directed by Australian film legend, John Hillcoat, this crime thriller boasts an impressive cast and intense sequences, both of which it delivers in spades. However, this is just about all that Triple 9 brings to the table. Triple 9 centres around 5 criminals and rouge policemen led by Michael Atwood (the always reliable Chiwetel Ejiofor) who are exceptionally adept bank robbers. They are led down a rabbit hole of extortion and violence as the Russian/Jewish mafia forces them to rob one final bank that requires the team to execute a triple 9. A triple 9 is the police radio code for an 'officer shot down' in the line of duty, which draws all units to that location, leaving response times to bank robberies and other crime double what they usually would be.

On paper, all the elements at play here seem like a recipe for success. However, Triple 9 ultimately falls flat. Intentional or not, the severe lack of characterisation makes for a draining, and often confusing watch. Motivations are hinted at briefly, or ignored entirely, which causes the film to lose any of dramatic tension it attempts to build in its third act. Who are these people? Why should we care? Ultimately we don’t. The first act is very tightly constructed, providing a great introduction into the world that these characters inhabit. However, It quickly begins to meander into trivial conversations and ham-fisted family relations. So much so, that any interest in the outcome of the film has long faded away.

The screenplay lets the entire film down as a result of; messy setups, lazy conclusions and unsatisfying payoffs. Script issues aside, this film is a technical marvel with brilliant cinematography and excellent direction. In addition to the heist sequences, a police raid in the second act is absolutely breathtaking, in both its tension and suspense. The performances are solid across the board, with Anthony Mackie and Clifton Collins Jr. being two standouts.

It was refreshing to see two popular television stars in Aaron Paul and Norman Reedus, hold their own against Hollywood heavyweights like Casey Affleck and Kate Winslet. In addition to these, there's a brilliant cameo from an almost unrecognisable Michael Kenneth Williams, that I'll leave up to you to spot. The immense talent on display in this film is bittersweet, as we're left wondering what this cast would have accomplished with a more sophisticated story. While Triple 9 was an unfortunate misstep, I don’t think it sours the name of anyone involved.

In spite of all its flaws, it's still a very competently put together film, and gave some lesser-known performers the opportunity to prove themselves. I’m not sure if I can recommend this film in good conscience, however, if you are a fan of John Hillcoat, or any of the cast, I would say it’s worth watching as they did a fantastic job with the lacklustre material they were given.

2.5/5

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