'Triple Frontier' Is Kept Enjoyable by a Stellar Cast

There’s always something automatically appealing about popular individuals coming together as a group.  That’s why we adore stuff like the Avengers or All-Star teams.  This is also true when recognizable actors play an ensemble in movies (e.g. Ocean’s 11, The Expendables, etc.).  Regardless of the quality of the movie, this detail remains a source of enjoyment.  An example is the action heist thriller film Triple Frontier, which features the star-studded cast of Ben Afleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garret Hedlum.

In it, those five are retired Delta Force operatives forgotten and undercompensated by the country they served.   Deciding to use their skills for their own benefit for the first time, the close-knit squad reunites to assassinate and steal the money of a powerful Colombian drug lord.  But despite their intricate preparation, the mission doesn’t go exactly as planned, and the difficult getaway that follows becomes a test of their integrity, bond, resolve, and proficiency.

I liked the first half of this movie significantly more than its second half.  The first half played out exactly as I wanted from this kind of movie.  It was being a legit action thriller.  The second half, however, delved toward being more of a study of ethics.  It still had action, but the thrills diminished.  I somewhat understood and appreciated then what it was going for, but I don’t think it improved its story by adding depth that way, and I don’t think the route it took played to the strengths of an “all-star” ensemble.  In my opinion, the film would have honestly benefited from being dumbed down a bit.

Nevertheless, again, these stars playing a tight band going to battle serves as a consistent winning detail.  The characters’ chemistry keeps the film engaging despite the unevenness late in its plot.  Thus, Triple Frontier still ends up being an enjoyable albeit partly unsatisfying movie.