MOVIE REVIEW: TRIPLE FRONTIER

Former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious careers, these unsung heroes undertake this dangerous mission for themselves instead of the country. But when events take an unexpected turn and threaten to spiral out of control, their skills, their loyalties, and their morals are pushed to a breaking point in an epic battle for survival.

Director: J.C. Chandor

Cast: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund,  Pedro Pascal

Release Date: March 6, 2019

Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime

Rated R for violence and language throughout

Runtime: 2h 2 min

Review:

Triple Frontier is an engaging and well acted film that’s far better than it should be.  The plot is simple enough and you can see where things are going from the get go. A few surprises here and there keep things interesting but J.C. Chandor and the cast make it all watch able throughout.  J.C. Chandor directs the action confidently and delivers some impressively tense sequences that really make an impact.  Ben Affleck leads the cast and brings some real depth to his character.  Sadly, the script doesn’t delve enough into his character or any of the others.  It’s a shame because each of the cast members is fully committed to their roles and deserved far meatier roles than they were given.  As such, it’s an enjoyable and watch able but frustrating at the same time because you can’t shake the feeling there’s a far better film in there somewhere.  As is, it’s still a solid throwback to some of the manly 80s and 90s action flicks even if it’s not quite the top tier.

B-

Cindy Prascik's Review of Triple Frontier

Thanks to the Death Plague currently decimating my office, this week I was able to catch the Netflix original film Triple Frontier.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailer.

Having various degrees of success readjusting to civilian life, a suspiciously-handsome group of ex-Special Forces soldiers plans to steal a drug lord's ill-gotten gains.

Triple Frontier is just the sort of picture that still gets me out to the cinema: a big, shoot-em-up actioner with testosterone to spare, kinda like the Expendables, only with smaller people who take themselves a little more seriously.

Given my dwindling tolerance for the movie-going public, it's my good fortune that Netflix gave me the opportunity to catch this in the comfort (and quiet) of my own home.

While they aren't all exactly A-List, the aforementioned smaller people--Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund--have a fair bit of big-screen cred among them. Each has his moment(s) to shine, and none is better or worse than exactly what the material requires. Triple Frontier is certainly action packed, yet at times I was surprised how slow it seemed. It's good that there's more going on than just gunfights and explosions (she says, grudgingly), but somehow the bits that *aren't* gunfights and explosions don't quite earn their keep. Part of the problem is that the trailer sells a heist film, but the actual heist is a relatively small part of the story; the majority of the film's runtime is burned on what follows. Effects and action/fight choreography are solid, but even the movie's most meaningful dialogue is awkward and stilted. Despite any other failings, the film boasts a groovy soundtrack and does a good job of sustaining tension right up to a predictable finish.

Triple Frontier clocks in at 125 minutes and is rated R for "violence and language throughout." It may not be the best movie of the year, but Triple Frontier holds its own.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Triple Frontier gets seven.

Fangirl points: You guys...CHARLIE HUNNAM! Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

An immigrant and his family strive to maintain their burgeoning business while contending with urban violence and corruption during a particularly harsh New York City winter in 1981. Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac star in this urban drama from writer/producer/director J.C. Chandor.

Director: J.C. Chandor 

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola.

Release Date: Dec 31, 2014

Rated R for some Violence and Language

Runtime: 2 hr. 4 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama

Review:

A Most Violent Year is a slow burner of a film that’s a fascinating character study.  J.C. Chandor’s film is a morality tale at its heart as we watch a man fight to keep his principles in tact while trying desperately to succeed.  It’s the kind of film that’s light on action and heavy on dialogue which can turn off some people, especially since the film is sold as a crime drama which it is an and isn’t.  It’s very much in that vein but doesn’t follow the well worn path.  At the center of the film is Oscar Isaac who is incredibly engaging and captivating as the lead.  Isaac has a simmering intensity throughout which keeps the film engaging as its moves at a methodical pace.  Jessica Chastain nearly steals the show as his wife and the film is so much better when she’s on screen.  Chastain’s an actress whose impressed me more and more with each passing film and this maybe her best yet.  Throw in some strong, if understated, supporting turns from Albert Brooks and David Oyelowo and you have a wholly impressive drama which feels like a throwback to headier films from the 70s. 

A