PLAY DIRTY
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Chukwudi Iwuji, Nat Wolff, Gretchen Mol, Thomas Jane, Hemky Madera, Alejandro Edda, Claire Lovering, Chai Hansen, and Tony Shalhoub
Director: Shane Black
ADRIANO
After The Predator, I was hoping to see a return to form from director/co-writer Shane Black. On paper, Play Dirty appears to be exactly that, with its style of crime comedy hijinks, some of which are present here; however, something crucial is missing: Black's personality. As much humour and action as there is, there's a stylistic void here, and the film winds up being dull as a result, with Mark Wahlberg looking half asleep in every scene, which certainly does not help. This isn't an awful movie - in fact, it's just inoffensively bad - but that doesn't mean I'm not disappointed.
ROBERT
You may be unaware, but Play Dirty is the seventh iteration of the character Parker being portrayed on film, with notable actors like Robert Duvall, Mel Gibson, and Jason Statham previously playing the professional robber. Unfortunately, despite Mark Wahlberg’s history in films like The Italian Job and Contraband playing a master thief, it is a poor fit this time. Shane Black is at his best when he's not pigeonholed by existing IP and getting to craft his own world and dialogue. This seems like he was neutered. Play Dirty is too long, and the CGI is atrocious; it shouldn't steal a minute of your time.
