“Triple Frontier” (R)

The combination of a group of talented actors adds up to nothing in “Triple Frontier,” Netflix’s latest foray into theatrical/streaming territory. Now playing in limited release in theaters across the country, the streaming service waited a week after its big screen debut to launch it on its venerable streaming platform, which is appropriately where it belongs. There’s nothing about the film that feels cinematic, even though it employs such notable actors as Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal.

“Triple Frontier” aspires to be an action heist movie, where a group of struggling ex-Special Forces operatives concoct a plan to travel to zone known as “The Triple Frontier” in South America (a tri-area border located at the junction of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay) to kill a drug kingpin and boost the $75 million in cash that he’s sitting on in a hidden jungle compound. The operation yields a much bigger stash than they ever imagined, though, and when greed kicks in and the take rises to $250 million, the stakes are raised considerably, and the group of buddies’ plan disintegrates fast.

For as much talent that’s involved in “Triple Frontier” in front of and behind the camera (“All is Lost” helmer J.C. Chandor directed, and the film is co-written and executive produced by “The Hurt Locker” screenwriter Mark Boal), it is surprisingly second rate throughout its duration. The plot is dull and predictable, and the acting, particularly by Affleck, is horrible.

Aside from a couple funny one-liners, the film is just a procedural bore that feels like it’s been told 100 times before. It’s probably a good thing Netflix is releasing the film theatrically on a limited basis, because despite the marquee talent attached, it’s essentially a dud and would have ticked off moviegoers who would have doled out their hard-earned money to see what amounts to a squandered opportunity. At least in streaming mode, they can click away to their next choice without feeling cheated out of nothing more than time.

Lammometer: 4 (out of 10)

Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.

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