Quite often the word potential gets tossed around. It can be have both a positive and negative meaning. In the case of The 355, it’s a negative. The potential was there but somewhere along the line it doesn’t quite come to fruition.
The Story and the Cast
Like so many spy films there is always a threat that could cripple governments and destroy life as we know it. The 355 is nothing different. The McGuffin of choice is a hard-drive device that when hacked, can breach any cyber-security. In the wrong hands, the world can become a hostage to terrorists. Circumstances both personal and professional bring the women that would make up the 355 to band together and fight the retrieve the device.
The premise by itself is solid and straightforward. The locales were straight out of Bond films ranging from Paris to Shanghai. That was another plus. What was not a plus is the fact that director Simon Kinberg plays it too safe. I can’t help but wonder If this was a male driven cast, would he take such safe steps? I say safe because every time the women start kicking butt, we are reminded that they are women. As if being both fierce and feminine have to be mutually exclusive. A missed opportunity given the talented cast.
Cast
By far the strongest part of The 355 is in its casting. The female leads led by Jessica Chastain (US Agent Mace) and Diane Kruger (German Operative, Maria Schmidt) are excellent. Rounding the rest of the team is Lupita Nyong’o (MI-6 agent Khadijah) and Penelope Cruz (as an unwilling psychologist). Cruz is the weak link in this group. A victim of a character not fleshed out. There is conflict and contention that fits the formula of many ‘enemy of my enemy is my friend’ films that has been done before. Good to see Sebastian Stan (US Agent Nick) break free of his Bucky Barnes persona. Asian superstar, Fan Bingbing (Lin Mi), gives the film a nice international touch.
Overall Thoughts
There is so much to enjoy with The 355. It was refreshing to see a female led cast in an action film. A quality cast at that. Where it falls short is not because of them. But perhaps in the confidence that a franchise could be built around them. The ending while trying to be poetic and symbolic of its namesake, ends up cheapening their accomplishments. As for the namesake, this is where some of that potential gets lost. U.S. History tells us of a female agent simply known as 355 was instrumental during the Revolutionary War. Her identity, unknown. But instead of building on that history, we are left with ‘what if’. These agents are intriguing enough that you kind of want to see more. But the studio behind it doesn’t appear to share that same vision. Otherwise they would have given them a more promising fade to black.
The 355 Movie Review Verdict:
Star Rating: ***
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
