Play Dirty

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!

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.

What exactly happened to Mark Wahlberg? He used to headline solid films like Shooter, The Departed, and even did great in comedy with The Other Guys. But lately, it feels like he signs up for every bad script that lands on his desk.

Play Dirty is just another forgettable entry on that list. Mark has the money and the reputation.. so why waste it on these throwaway projects? Honestly, the probability of him starring in a good movie these days feels like 1 out of 10, and that says a lot.

What is his agent even doing? Isn't their job to filter scripts and protect his career? Instead, they're turning him into a running joke. Mark deserves better, and so do we as the audience!

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.

Shane Black returns, this time with Amazon Studios and MGM, to bring us a crazy heist comedy with a charismatic cast led by Mark Wahlberg.

With a cast that includes Lakeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, Keegan-Michael Key, Nat Wolff, and Tony Shalhoub, the film takes us through a series of heists with the characteristic humor of a director who perfectly balances comedy and action. Shane Black delivers an entertaining action comedy reminiscent of those fun '90s movies. Packed with action, chases, and some truly effective gags, this film succeeds in its goal of entertaining. While it may not be entirely coherent, its charming cast makes it all quite believable.

Black adapts Donald E. Westlake's classic anti-hero into an entertaining and well-crafted adventure, starring Mark Wahlberg who masters this type of character. While his performance is fine, he's surrounded by a charismatic cast, always conveying the sense of enjoyment on screen. The director recaptures some of the essence of his prime, albeit a few notches lower, but it's still a good impression for someone who has always been fun to watch in his work.

It's a made-for-streaming movie, something that's noticeable in its visual effects, though it's not overly distracting. The film is entertaining and makes for a good weekend getaway. It has some very funny sequences where the director manages to show his essence, and others that are somewhat weaker, but that doesn't detract from the overall entertainment value. It's an action comedy with ups and downs, but always sincere in its intention to entertain the viewer with its most authentic elements, and it achieves this in a pleasing and effective way.

Afterwards, we can enjoy it if the film lives up to all our expectations. However, it won't waste your time, as at least you'll have one pleasant moment on screen.