For viewers craving a decent-but-uneven streaming heist caper, Mark Wahlberg’s Play Dirty is worthwhile.
Play Dirty is available to stream exclusively on Prime Video.
Stream it, as it has enough of Black’s signature snappy, hardboiled dialogue and chaotic set pieces to keep the action entertaining, even if it doesn’t reach the level of his best work, like The Nice Guys.
For those expecting a tightly plotted thriller or a return to form for director Shane Black, it’s a definite Skip It, mainly due to Wahlberg’s lackluster performance.
Several reviews praise the magnetic and charismatic performances of LaKeith Stanfield, Rosa Salazar, and Keegan-Michael Key. They are often highlighted as bringing the best comedic energy to the film.
If you’re in the mood for a stylish, over-the-top heist movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the action and humor are sufficient to pass a couple of hours. The film’s final act, in particular, has been noted as redeeming a slow-paced middle.
Compared to many generic streaming action movies, Play Dirty stands out with its more distinct voice and flair, which will appeal to fans of Shane Black’s previous work.
But many will skip this too due to the flat and uncharismatic portrayal of the iconic thief Parker. Many reviewers feel he fails to capture the dangerous edge of the character, especially when compared to the original casting idea of Robert Downey Jr., who remains an executive producer.
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The movie is also two-hour-plus runtime, packed with too many side plots, double-crosses, and character motivations, which dilutes the central heist and makes the film feel more complicated than it needs to be.
Some critics felt the film’s violence was gratuitous and the high body count undermined any empathy for the main characters.
