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Streaming on Netflix

At various counts, Matt Damon (Dane Dumars) and Ben Affleck (JD Byrne) have been involved in 15 different films, so “The Rip,” currently streaming on Netflix, might simply be another take on the evergreen “buddy movie” concept. Not so fast. This one has a twist … or three … or we stopped counting.

Those with a long memory (or access to the internet) will recall Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Paul Newman and Robert Redford, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. The mix of action and humor carried their buddy films forward, drawing in audiences and, in several cases, justifying making the sequels. Humor and action are important ingredients to baking a hit. It’s the crackling tension that adds the yeast.

“The Rip” has a classic, even shopworn story line at its foundation. Senior cop is killed, leaving secrets and the rage of the department. Two cops with long history go on a caper that becomes (as we find out) directly linked to that murder… at which time, things get very strained. Fistfights, shouting matches, whispered threats, double and triple twists that leave the casual viewer (after all, we are in our living rooms in our pajamas) deciding who’s the bad guy and who might be the damaged, but heroic good guy.

Suddenly, we need a scorecard to decide who is on which team.

Were the explosive tension between Affleck and Damon not so convincing, the tension might not be as engaging. But, it is. Shot mostly in the confines of a suburban Florida home, the claustrophobia adds to the tension. With the addition of explosive gunfire, back stories that are revealed only near the end of the film and a supporting cast (including Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor) that skillfully creates a rag-tag team of under-paid, over-worked Miami cops, this is no re-boot of Michael Mann’s “Miami Vice.” No pastels, here. Dumars and Byrne are not Crockett (Don Johnson) and Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas).

The fact that Netflix, the streaming network presenting “The Rip,” has over 300 Million subscribers might be reason enough for the Affleck/Damon juggernaut to cut the deal that led to the production of the film. For those with a monthly subscription, the presence of “The Rip” a few clicks away on a winter’s night becomes yet another bonus. There are some films that merit warming up the car, clearing off the snow and heading to the closest multiplex. “Hamnet” is certainly on that list, as is “Marty Supreme.” “The Rip” is a 2 hour diversion served best at home with a side of microwaved popcorn and a cold beverage of choice. Perfect “buddy/action/humor” fare.

Images courtesy of Netflix