Today’s quick review: Triple Frontier. After three years of hunting, Santiago (Oscar Isaac) has finally tracked an elusive South American drug lord to his house in the jungle. With the help of four close friends (Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal), Santiago plans a mission to kill the drug lord and escape with millions in cash. But when the team finds more money than they expected, they are left with a difficult choice.
Triple Frontier is an action thriller about a group of retired soldiers on an illegal mission to steal millions of dollars from a drug kingpin. Santiago and his friends must not only pull off thier raid but get away with their ill-gotten fortune. Triple Frontier has an interesting story that poses some tough challenges for its main characters. It can’t match the best the genre has to offer, but solid craftsmanship and novel ideas make it a wothy pick.
The highlight of Triple Frontier is seeing its characters adapt to changing circumstances. Santiago and his crew are skilled soldiers with a great group dynamic and a professional attitude toward their work. But the discovery of millions of dollars of extra cash throws off their timetable and forces them to choose between risking death and leaving behind a fortune. The consequence of their choice has repercussions that drive the second half of the film.
Beyond this setup, Triple Frontier is a conventional but capably handled action movie. The action scenes tend towards tight tactics and stealth over raw spectacle. The characters are not moral paragons, but they do have more integrity than the thieves seen in similar films. In general, Triple Frontier opts for safe choices that are not groundbreaking. There are no major weaknesses, but it lacks the vision and impact of some other action flicks.
Give Triple Frontier a shot when you’re in the mood for a more serious action movie. Although it is not as daring as it could be, its craftsmanship is solid, and the plot forces its characters to make some interesting choices. Steer clear if you’re looking for something flashy or carefree.
For another action movie about a team of elite soldiers who strike off on their own, try The Expendables or The A-Team. For a more mundane drama about the corrupting influence of money, check out The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an interesting plot and decent action.