Triple 9
DVD
Review
by Kam Williams
A-List Cast
Expertly Executes Cat-and-Mouse Crime Thriller
Irina
Vlaslov (Kate Winslet) assumed the reins of an Atlanta-based crime
syndicate after her husband Vasili (Igor Komar) was sent up the
river. Despite the jailing of the ruthless mobster, the gang's
operations have continued to flourish with the help of corrupt police
officers and ex-Marines. One crooked cop, Marcus Belmont (Anthony
Mackie), even has a young son (Blake McLennan) with Irina's sister,
Elena (Gal Gadot), which makes him all the more vulnerable to
manipulation.
Like a
Russian version of the Mexican drug lord El Chapo, Vasili is just
itching to get out of jail. So, Irina hatches a plan to spring him
from prison with the help of the various authorities she already has
in a compromising position.
In 25 words
or less, the scheme involves issuing a phony 9-9-9, the police code
for "officer down," since every police car would be
immediately dispatched to the scene not only to assist the wounded
brother in blue but to apprehend the perpetrator. Theoretically, at
least, that drain on available resources would afford Irina's
henchmen an opportunity to strike.
Thus
unfolds Triple 9, a rather riveting cat-and-mouse caper directed by
Aussie John Hillcoat (The Road). The over-the-top action thriller
featuring an intriguing plot was written by first-time scriptwriter
Matt Cook.
Its cast
includes an array of A-list actors topped by Kate Winslet, Woody
Harrelson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Casey Affleck, Anthony Mackie, Teresa
Palmer and Michael Kenneth Williams. Having so many talented
thespians pays off in spades for a picture which proves compelling
from beginning to end.
At heart,
Triple 9 is a nihilistic adventure set in a disturbing, urban
dystopia filled with nothing but untrustworthy backstabbers. That
makes it darn near impossible to find a protagonist to root for
besides Sergeant Jeffrey Allen (Harrelson), a clean detective capable
of smelling a rat.
The wily
veteran in charge of the investigation must negotiate his way down a
dangerous gauntlet while sorting out suspects right in the ranks of
his own department. What makes his plight even dicier is the
pyrotechnics-driven flick's "When in doubt, blow it up!"
philosophy.
An
alternately visceral and cerebral, high body-count crime thriller not
to be missed!
Excellent (4
stars)
Rated R for nudity, graphic
violence, drug use and pervasive profanity
Running time: 116 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Home Entertainment
Blu-ray Extras: An Authentic
World; Under the Gun; and deleted scenes.
To see a trailer for Triple 9, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_yxgGFEBUE
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