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 enough of a wallop to get your heart racing.
Although the script leans on a few tropes and holds its audience’s hand a little too tightly, the acting overshadows those issues. Damon and Affleck’s real life chemistry works harmoniously on screen. Even when their characters are butting heads, watching them together again is an absolute treat. The supporting cast is stellar too - Teyana Taylor, Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Sasha Calle - This movie is packed with talent who ensure dialogue that might’ve felt stilted is delivered with committed believability.
The Rip is C-Tier streaming fare with an A-tier cast, which alone makes it worth your time. The sturdy plot doesn’t change the game, but gives us a few fun twists that keep it from feeling stale. It’s a far cry from Damon and Affleck’s best collaboration, but you could do a lot worse - especially in January.
Rating: ★★★½
Review by: Benjamin Garrett