The Rip review: A middling crime drama marred by contrived final act

Rating: 2/5                                   Suyog Zore

'The Rip' is one of the most highly anticipated films, reuniting two of Hollywood's most enduring collaborators, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who won the Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1997. The crime drama, directed by Joe Carnahan, revolves around a specialized unit, the Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT), led by Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Matt Damon). The film opens with the murder of Jackie Velez (Lina Esco), the leader of the TNT department. Dumars receives a tip about a stash house filled with cash at an address in Hialeah. Dumars, along with his team, including explosive Sergeant JD Byrne (Ben Affleck), Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno), Mike Ro (Steven Yeun), and Numa Baptiste (Teyana Taylor), investigate the address, which belongs to Desi Molina (Sasha Calle), the late homeowner's granddaughter. She hesitantly allows the team to search her house, where they discover a stash of millions in cash, leading to suspicion and distrust within the team, particularly between Sergeant JD Byrne and Dane Dumars.

'The Rip' clocks in at 115 minutes, but with 11 minutes of credits, the actual runtime is 104 minutes. For 75 minutes, the film effectively keeps viewers engaged by creating suspense around the identity of the corrupt cop. The movie hints that someone in the room may be hiding the truth, prompting the viewer to wonder who that person might be. Director Joe Carnahan's 'The Rip' may not offer a groundbreaking or original narrative, but it still manages to keep viewers on their toes. The film's narrative is straightforward, beginning as a procedural operation before evolving into a test of loyalty, integrity, and survival, similar to many crime drama films. 

Although it lacks originality, the film succeeds in maintaining tension. As the team starts to suspect each other, the viewer is left wondering if the film will follow in the footsteps of 'Reservoir Dogs.' Will every team member be a corrupt cop, and will the bags of cash lead them to turn against each other? The film builds tension effectively by keeping the viewer in the dark about the corrupt cop's identity and the mole within the police. However, the final 30 minutes of the film take a drastic turn, devolving into a mindless action film that undermines the tension and anxiety built up throughout. The term 'mindless' is used intentionally to highlight the plot's incoherence and completely mindless choreography of the action and shooting sequences. The film's plot takes place over the course of one night, with the chaotic choreography failing to provide clarity on who is fighting whom or who is shooting whom.

Forget about us, as even those utilizing night vision goggles will be unable to discern the events unfolding. This is precisely why I deliberately selected the adjective 'mindless'. Hence, the third act or final thirty minutes of 'The Rip' transmutes this decent crime drama, which tests the loyalty and integrity of law enforcement officials, into a hackneyed, mindless action film we have witnessed countless times before. Following the introductory scene, Jackie's demise is entirely ignored. Had the film devoted additional time to exploring the in-depth relationships within TNT's team, thereby fostering a slight emotional investment in them, it would have effectively intensified tension when they begin suspecting each other.

Matt Damon brings a depth of emotion to Dumars, a character reeling from the loss of his son and drowning in medical debt. Ben Affleck also delivers a strong performance as a short-tempered, yet honest Sergeant, whose distrust of his team grows increasingly evident. While Byre's character lacks development, Affleck's portrayal effectively captures the frustration of a man on the brink. Mike Ro also shines as a cop caught in the escalating tension between two senior officers. 

Ultimately, 'The Rip' is a middling crime drama that starts strong, sustaining viewer interest through two acts, before succumbing to a contrived final act, rendering it a generic crime drama. 

Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler

Writer: Joe Carnahan

Director: Joe Carnahan




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