Tous les coups sont permis

Such a waste of great talent. It's like a bunch of fifth graders wrote and directed this convoluted plot-hole riddled nonsense. There were so many pointless scenes that seem like they should matter, but never do (e.g. Why always room 12?). Then it jumps between a serious tone to a lame comedy, like an failed SNL skit that didn't make the cut. Never mind the lack of any real plot advancement in between the useless scenes, the ridiculously slow pacing and overlong runtime. Don't even get me started on the horrible editing, especially in the first scene which set the stage for this messy nonsense. It's a generous 5/10 all for the all star cast doing their best with the garbage the filmmakers gave them to work with.

7/10

It won't blow you away but I would say this is a great film to watch if you want some decent action and some decent comedy.

It has some unexpected twists and turns throughout and you can't always guess what's going to happen next.

The cast is excellent and it's always nice to see Tony Shalhoub (monk) back on screen again.

If you want a decent, enjoyable action flick then I'd say you won't go amiss watching this!

I gave Play Dirty a 6.5/10 because it's a mixed bag: some strong parts, some frustrating filler, but enough payoff to make it worthwhile.

The opening scenes are excellent... within the first 20 minutes the tension is sharp, the betrayal setup works, and you feel drawn into the ambition of the heist. But then the middle section sags.

For about an hour, the plot meanders: too many character motivations that never quite click, too many twists that add complexity without clarity. Some scenes feel there just to fill time, and occasionally the visuals and setting drop you out of immersion (fake-NY shots, shaky CGI?).

The final 25 minutes lift the film though. Stakes become clear, action sharpens up, and it redeems a lot of earlier dragging. Rosa Salazar in particular shines... when she appears she brings weight and energy. Wahlberg's Parker is competent, but less cunning or charismatic than I expected from earlier Parker adaptations.

Overall, Play Dirty is entertaining if you're willing to put up with uneven pacing. If you like big-scale heists, betrayals, and a strong finish, it delivers enough. If you need consistency or tight plotting throughout, it might frustrate.

There's a good movie in here somewhere. But it's a bit of a con really. As on the surface "Play dirty" is more modern streaming "content" than anything else.

I had no idea it was based on the book character Parker. A character who has already had his stories adapted multiple times. This one's an original story so I'm not sure it matters. But it could possibly be an attempt at starting a series of movies, and it feels like it is. The plot has alot of ins and outs, but got more clever toward the end. Overall though there was too much bad green screen action.

What really saves the movie is Shane Black's trademark style. There's some decent banter between the characters so its passable as a comedy. But could have been so much better if it was more focused and old fashioned. Like the books its based on.

Ultimately, Play Dirty is fine. It clocks in at a slightly bloated two hours, offering moments of mild entertainment and professional craftsmanship, but lacking the originality or emotional depth to leave a lasting impression. It's the kind of film you'll forget you saw a week later, but won't regret watching while you were in the theater. If you are desperate for a weekend diversion and all the good seats are taken, Play Dirty will, well, play. But don't expect it to redefine the genre.