CIA agent Mason "Mace" Brown joins forces with a rival German agent, a cutting-edge computer specialist and a Colombian psychologist when a top-secret weapon falls into the hands of a group of mercenaries. Together, the four women embark on a breakneck mission to save the world while staying one step ahead of a mysterious figure who's tracking their every move.
Director: Simon Kinberg
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Fan Bingbing, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong'o, Édgar Ramírez, Sebastian Stan
Release Date:
Action, Thriller
Rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language, and suggestive material.
Runtime: 2h 4m
Review:
The 355 is stacked with star power that makes its generic spy thriller worlds more watchable and enjoyable than it deserves to be. Simon Kinberg's film has a generic quality about it that makes it almost indistinguishable from troves of similar films. Exotic locales and large action set pieces aren't terribly memorable but they're entertaining as mindless junk food. Jessica Chastain leads the cast ably as a believable action star but it's hardly just her show. The film is an impressive ensemble piece with Lupita Nyong'o, Diane Kruger, Penélope Cruz and Fan Bingbing all getting ample screen time to shine. Their chemistry together is ultimately what makes the whole thing work in spite of the scripts hacky shortcomings. They are believable as a group of ass kicking spies with smaller moments fleshing out their characters. Its a testament to their assembled talents that this works as well as it does with such a generic story and cliched MacGuffin and villain, the film gives Sebastian Stan woefully little to do. The 355 offers up the kind of mindless popcorn fun which offers up female empowerment without ever beating you over the head with it.
B-
