Film Review: "Triple 9" (2016).

"The code on the street is never black and white." This is Triple 9. This action crime thriller film directed by John Hillcoat and written by Matt Cook. 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.

In May 2012, the project was first announced with Hillcoat to direct Cook's crime drama script with Shia LaBeouf set to star. The film went through many casting changes. LaBeouf later left the project and was replaced by Charlie Hunnam. In December 2013, Hunnam also left the project and was replaced by Casey Affleck. By late May 2014, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Clifton Collins Jr., Norman Reedus, Teresa Palmer, Michael K. Williams, Gal Gadot, Woody Harrelson, and Kate Winslet rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in mid early August. Filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia, and was shot on Arri Alexa XT M, Arri Alexa XT Plus, and Arri Alexa XT Studio cameras with Panavision G-Series, and Panavision Primo and G-Series in the 2.35: 1 aspect ratio. Hillcoat talking about filming schedule said that, "It’s a challenge, arranging everyone's schedules and trying to accomplish something with eight main characters. I’ve never worked on something quite like this." Initially, Nick Cave was set to score the film, however, he left the project and was replaced with Atticus Ross, Claudia Sarne, brother Leopold Ross and Bobby Krlic.

The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Affleck, Ejiofor, Mackie, Paul, Collins Jr., Reedus, Palmer, Williams, Gadot, Harrelson, and Winslet. The cast, while impressive, does little with what they have. Audiences will have to settle for simplistically evil performances by Winslet (as a ruthless Jewish-Russian Mafia boss), and a large quotient of gut-wrenching violence. However, when Ejiofor, Mackie, Paul, Collins Jr., and Reedus are allowed to do the heavy lifting, the film is a kind of fun period piece. But every time Affleck takes center stage, it feels more like someone playing dress up.

Grim, bloody, and utterly flawed, Triple 9 doesn't quite achieve the epic status it strains for, but it's too beautifully filmed and powerfully acted to dismiss. With a dynamite cast, and an acclaimed Aussie director, you assume a new classic. What you get is an ambitious try. Certainly has its moments, yet lacks the tension of a real classic. The center of narrative gravity is hard to locate; for whom are we rooting, and does anything really ripple outward from this nasty local fight? Essentially, the film is basically a tale of Badass Vs. Badass, with some additional Badasses thrown in for good measure. The film wants to be something larger than life, but it's too joyless to be a tall tale and too self-satisfied for tragedy.

Simon says Triple 9 receives:

Also, see my review for Lawless.