Triple Frontier Review

There’s been a long running trope in movies that when it comes to cash, no matter the amount, it can all fit comfortably in a briefcase or duffle bag. This happens so often that we forget about the real logistics that large amounts of money has in terms of space and weight. Triple Frontier is fully aware of this, grounding its riches to a more realistic set of rules. Quickly becoming a movie less about how and more about how much, with the cast’s rapacity turning into a burden that they must carry physically.

Many people, including director/co-writer J.C. Chandor, will be happy that this film is able to be seen by an audience at all. Bogged down since 2011 by constant set backs in the form of recasts and being dropped by Paramount, Triple Frontier looked like it would never escape the wrath of its own production. But after getting picked up by Netflix and finding a concrete team of actors in Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal to lead, Triple Frontier was completed and added to the streaming service this year. Fortunately for everyone involved, making it to release isn’t the only notable achievement that Triple Frontier should be awarded. The finished product is a tense and wonderfully paced heist thriller that is enhanced by gorgeous locales and creative set pieces.

Triple Frontier begins as Santiago Garcia, a seasoned special forces officer, discovers the location of South American cartel boss Gabriel Martin Lorea. Instead of involving the local agency he works for, Garcia decides to get the help of his former military colleagues and set up a covert operation with the incentive to rob Lorea of his illegal and undeserved fortune. Although the men are aware of the risks, the group reluctantly takes Garcia’s offer, knowing that the payoff could change their lives forever.

The films biggest strength is how it’s presented. Triple Frontier is easily one of Netflix best looking movies to date. Cinematographer Roman Vasyanov gives astounding depth and detail to the plethora of South American landscapes. While Chandors framing allow the action scenes room to grow tension, showing great pacing from beginning to end.

However, where the film falls short is in its characters, many of the major conflicts arise from the groups greed or overconfidence, quickly becoming a movie where the protagonists are also their own antagonists. This is a creative direction that is left unfulfilled. Screenwriter Mark Boal does a wonderful job at making the group of men sympathetic, using themes of soldier mistreatment to give characters incentive for their actions. This helps make the group a far cry from the emotionless brutes we are used to seeing in military action films, but they still feel one dimensional by the end. Showing no true progression of values or morals despite the sacrifices and hardships they make. Resulting in an ending that feels rushed and insincere.

Regardless, Triple Frontier appears to have had its biggest issues before filming. With the result being a heist movie full of suspenseful action that outweighs its shallow characters.

Triple Frontiers visuals and well paced action make it a welcomed addition to the Netflix catalogue.

Produced By: Netflix
Runtime: 125 minutes
Rating: R