Cert 15
116 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong bloody violence, very strong language, drug use, sexualised nudity
Undaunted after the moderate disappointment of Deadpool, Mrs W and I headed for screen 2 of Nottingham Cineworld for John Hillcoat's Triple 9.
Again, I was hoping for great things having been so impressed by Hillcoat's previous feature, Lawless.
Triple 9 is not quite in the same league but boasts a similar quality cast and number of violent deaths. It is also tightly scripted by first time feature writer Matt Cook.
The picture focuses on bent cops (Anthony Mackie and Clifton Collins Jr) who are part of gang of bank robbers stealing to order for the Russian mafia.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is the leader of the quartet but is beholden to the Russians because his son's mother is one of them. Thus, he is exploited by her hard-nosed sister (Kate Winslet).
Thankfully, among the detritus of Atlanta, where the film is set, are good cops Casey Affleck and Woody Harrelson (actually Harrelson's character is also deeply flawed).
Triple 9 reaches right into the lawless underbelly of life in a major American city. If it bears any relation to reality, it must be very frightening stateside.
Life is cheap on the streets and even teenagers are walking around with guns. Consequently, bodies litter this movie.
Some of my favourite actors (Affleck, Ejiofor, Harrelson and Winslet) are on view but their talents are secondary to the high-intensity action of Triple 9 which builds into a shattering crescendo.
I presume it was released in Oscar season with the hope of picking up some rewards. It wasn't quite good enough to contend but it is worth a cinema ticket.
Reasons to watch: tight story with a great deal of suspense
Reasons to avoid: big on violence with a high body count
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: yes
Nudity: yes
Overall rating: 8/10
Star Tweet
Dear UK, Check out Triple 9 right now!!! It's in a theater near you starting today. Tell your friends, bring your grandma.