Triple Threat (2019) - USA / China
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
What is so exciting about “Triple Threat” is the “wow” factor of having the equivalent dream cast of “Asian Expendables” in Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Tiger Chen, Celina Jade and add on that with B-List Hollywood action stars Michael Jai White and Scott Adkins. With Chinese investment, Director Jesse Johnson gets his biggest budget to date to blow out some real action scenes. The story is never really the focus and despite all that is lacking with that, it all but compensate with an abundance of straight forward ground up action display. This is likely the dream of an action fan boy.
Tony Jaa plays the role of mercenary turned to the good side after a failed mission. Jaa shows good presence and intensity required for the role and even jingle it up with some light hearted comic timing. Iko Uwais impresses as the villager revenging for his loved ones. Uwais remains upright and almost mysterious as he shines whenever he is called upon to put up a fight. Tiger Chen flairs worse out of the trio in a role where he constantly overacts. Celina Jade dishes up some quality screen time and surprising with just one call for action need the end for the entire film. Old timers, Michael Jai White and Scott Adkins remains in stereotypically two dimensional roles as the baddies.
All in all, “Triple Threat” is what we used to call a good old entertainment. The story is simple and never gets in the way of action after action. It’s precisely what the fanboys are asking for Jaa pitting against Uwais, Adkins vs Jaa and likewise. It’s not a great film, but one that easily serve its purposes. In terms of Netflix home cinema, this is the kind of action films that are worth investing as cinematic run will remain short. Good one for the fans.
I rated it 7.5/10
