When there is a film featuring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the thought of troublesome bros comes to mind. The two have experienced monumental achievements, beginning with their fame from the success of Good Will Hunting back in 1997. The two have a unique chemistry for creating something invigorating for the screen. The Rip, however, is average. Yet, their performance and chemistry are still stellar. Directed by Joe Carnahan, this is The Rip, a film where the choices and morals of police authorities are tested. but taking the cut is all that matters in the heat of the moment.

The main characters in this movie are Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck). Both are cops in Miami who face some deficits, coming off a mission of a deceased captain. Going forward, there is a new score as they find an operation to carry out a cartel stash. The setting is Miami, Florida, and there is plenty of corruption. Their team includes Detective Numa Baptiste (Teyana Taylor), Detective Mike Ro (Steven Yeun), and Detective Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno). This gang of cops can be dirty or play by the rules. Taylor’s performance is reminiscent of her attitude in One Battle After Another and brings some gangster grandeur to this thriller in spite of its mixed writing.

The film faces hurdles along the way, Once the detectives find the cash, trying to get a hold of it requires them to go behind everyone’s backs. Questions about their choices surface. Damon and Affleck deliver performances that illustrate where the risks and their lies exist. The officer in the story with bigger forces is DEA Agent Mateo ‘Matty’ Nix (Kyle Chandler). With this DEA agent behind the scenes, the news of the money scrambles back and forth. With some of the detectives coming off a loss on a previously failed mission, this operation is more dangerous with closed forces behind closed doors. The Rip is effective at portraying trust and loyalty being put to the test. Unfortunately, the execution of creating real suspense is where the delivery getsconfused because there are too many moments when characters get into their own heads.

The Rip has the right characters with macho attitudes to take on critical tasks, some of which rely upon dishonesty. The film’s writing is enhanced by stellar chemistry among the performances of Damon, Affleck, Yeun, Taylor, and Chandler. The downside is in the somewhat flawed execution which keeps the film from being mesmerizing. The Rip comes down to dirty cops and corrupt authorities. The story has the right cast of characters, but the delivery and the punchlines do not align with the outcome. On the positive side, the Miami setting has got some edgy scenery to help boost the elements of suspense. I’llrate The Rip at two out of four stars because I appreciate the attitudes in the performances of Damon, Affleck, and Taylor. The rest of the film suffers from a lack of development in the writing.