genre: action, crime, thriller
As you might have noticed, I mostly do video reviews now. But honestly, I don't want to spend too much time on this title, since it doesn't deserve it. So hereby my written review.
The Rip puts a decent cast together with writer / director / producer Joe Carnahan. Who on ocassion has proven himself to be a real competent director. Although, if you look at his filmography, he hasn't been consistent in bringing you high quality entertainment. I am afraid, The Rip, is one of the lesser titles. Look, I get what he was going for, but it's done in such an idiotic way, I can't believe people think this is a brilliant film. It could have been, only it fails to accomplish to create real tension and suspense. And the biggest problem is the fact, that we barely know the characters. This should have been established so that once you get into the event that puts things upside down, you kind of have an idea, what they are about.
Yes, I am aware, that the film is trying it's hardest to make you doubt all the characters can switch either way. They supposedly are all corrupt, but certain characters are more so. I don't know about you, that makes things incredibly boring. This is demonstrated in the fact, you are kind of forced to root for Desi (played by Sasha Calle) who in the grand scheme of things, is innocent. But like the other characters, we don't really know who she is and what she is about. Some might say, there is an explanation given towards the end. Yes, that is the super cool twist. Or at least, it's intended as one. I was not impressed.
Perhaps it is because I do think the cast has been underused. Here are a bunch of actors who can really make the difference and now barely can put in the effort to make it worth your while. They certainly aren't helped with the poor script that has been done to death. I don't mind certain tropes concerning corruption, but at least, try to make it a little more interesting by making the characters more colourful. They were so predictable and generic. It took me like an hour to get into the film and appreciate it somewhat since it was clearly going somewhere, only to be let down.
Overall, this film is not worth your time. Had it at least given us some good action and spectacle, I would have been more positive. But now I just can't. Skip it!
