The Rip is all the evidence you need that a great cast can elevate an otherwise run-of-the-mill movie. Without its impressive A-list roster, this would’ve likely been lost among a crowd of forgettable January dumping ground releases. Throw Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and a handful of other extremely talented actors into the mix, though, and now you’ve got something worth watching. While there are exceptions that prove the rule, a lot of these police/cartel thrillers are interchangeable when it comes to their cookie-cutter story beats. The Rip breaks exactly zero molds, but it also doesn’t feel as uninspired as it could’ve. There are enough surprises to keep things engaging, and the tension - which the movie often hinges on - is appropriately high strung. The action is punchy and loud, which is no surprise coming from Director Joe Carnahan. While I do have minor issues with some of the sequences feeling a bit choppy in how they were shot and edited, the action is solid and packs...
What starts as a follow-up on a tip on the location of a stash of cartel drugs, soon becomes a star-studded guessing game cleverly executed by Joe Carnahan. As a writer and director, Carnahan always knows how to find the exciting and gripping parts of his characters, and the energy they create when playing off of each other. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck continue to work wonders together as Hollywood’s power best friend duo. Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Sasha Calle are particularly exceptional here, and Catalina Sandino Moreno gives a warm strength to the film, too. The film cleverly doesn’t let you in on the full perspective of any character, allowing the audience to shift alliances and predictions as to what the full picture is, as the situation continues to unfold. It’s a fun and rewarding action film, and hey, it doesn’t hurt that the cast behind the main Tactical Narcotics Team are all doing an awesome job. Rating: ★★★★ Review by: Gal Balaban