Triple 9 is a complicated heist movie involving a lot of double crossing, corrupt cops, plot twists and rug pulls. A team of bank robbers, being blackmailed by the Russian Mafia, have to pull off a nearly impossible heist which involves killing a cop. T9 immediately stands out among the many similar movies out there because it has a great cast and the director, John Hillcoat, has proved himself before to be a good filmmaker so T9 looked promising. In the end, it's a mixed bag. Hillcoat manages to make the shaky cam style of the cinematography work well for once and there is plenty of tension. Thankfully, each set piece doesn't just feel like a repeat of the last and overall it's safe to say it's a well made thriller. The cast, unusually strong for this type of movie, all do a good job. Anthony Mackie stands out in a more gritty, dramatic role than some of his earlier ones, and Chiwetel Ejiofor owns the movie. That being said, it would have been nice to see more of Aaron Paul, Woody Harrelson and Kate Winslet. This isn't a predictable movie, and there are plenty of shocks and tense moments, but it's not always that enjoyable. With its mean spirited atmosphere and convoluted plot, it just didn't quite hold my attention the whole time. The script is OK, though the story feels rushed at times and it's not as good as it could have been as a result. It's perfectly good though, and better than some of the stuff we usually get at this time of year. It'll probably sink at the box office, but it's worth a look.
6/10
6/10