Mr. Movie: Terrific acting punctuates nail-biting suspense in ‘Triple 9’
A triple 9 — or 999 — is cop code for officer down. When 999 is sent, everyone responds.
This coding comes into play as a gang of pro criminals and cops working for a Russian mob have to break into a Homeland Security office to steal documents.
As a distraction, a police officer has to be killed.
Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Clifton Collins Jr., Woody Harrelson, Aaron Paul and a nearly unrecognizable Kate Winslet star in a movie with a plot that is much more complex, and much better than that brief description.
Triple 9 is triple intense and gets the blood moving faster than a triple latte. Director John Hillcoat (The Road) and first-time writer Matt Cook pack this movie with nail-biting action, brilliant performances and the kind of icky ending that only real-life can provide.
Only it’s not real life. It’s the movies. And this one — real-life ending or not — is really good.
Triple 9
Director: John Hillcoat
Stars: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Kate Winslet, Clifton Collins Jr., Woody Harrelson, Aaron Paul
Mr. Movie rating: 4 stars
Rated R for violence, nudity, language. It’s playing at the Carmike 12 and the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen.
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it’s your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on DVD.
2 stars to 1 star: Don’t bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 2:54 AM with the headline "Mr. Movie: Terrific acting punctuates nail-biting suspense in ‘Triple 9’."