Mark Wahlberg Can't Spark Shane Black's Underwhelming Heist Caper "Play Dirty

"Play Dirty' Review: Mark Wahlberg Lacks Spark in Shane Black's Heist Caper LOS ANGELES - Amazon Prime's "Play Dirty," the latest heist caper from director and co-writer Shane Black, has hit a snag. Despite a star-studded cast that includes Mark Wahlberg, LaKeith Stanfield, and Rosa Salazar, the movie fails to deliver on its promise of sardonic humor and high-stakes action. The film's biggest misstep is Wahlberg himself, who brings little spark or charisma to his role as a master thief. His character's dry wit and banter fall flat, making it difficult for audiences to become invested in the story. "Wahlberg's performance is a major letdown," said critic David Fear of Rolling Stone. "He lacks the charm and chemistry that made him so compelling in 'Boogie Nights' and 'The Fighter.'" Black, known for his work on "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" and "The Nice Guys," has been accused of relying too heavily on familiar tropes and cliches. The movie's plot, which follows a group of thieves as they plan a massive heist, is predictable and lacks originality. "It's like Black took every heist movie from the past 20 years, threw them in a blender, and hit puree," said film critic A.A. Dowd of The A.V. Club. Despite its flaws, "Play Dirty" still manages to deliver some impressive action sequences and witty one-liners. However, these moments are not enough to save the movie from its overall lackluster feel. "It's a shame that Black didn't push himself more creatively," said critic Scott Mendelson of Forbes. "He has a great cast at his disposal, but he fails to make the most of it." The movie's production budget was reportedly in the tens of millions, with Amazon Prime throwing its weight behind the project. However, the studio's investment does not seem to have paid off. "It's a classic case of 'throw money at a problem and hope it goes away,'" said industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "Play Dirty" is now available on Amazon Prime, but it's unclear whether audiences will be willing to give it a chance despite its lackluster reviews. As for Wahlberg's future as a movie star, only time will tell. "He still has his fans, of course," said critic David Fear. "But he needs to prove himself in more challenging roles if he wants to stay relevant." Background: Shane Black has been making movies since the 1980s, but it wasn't until "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" that he gained widespread recognition as a writer and director. Since then, he has gone on to direct several successful films, including "The Nice Guys" and "Iron Man 3." Mark Wahlberg, on the other hand, has been a movie star since the early 1990s, with a string of hits under his belt, including "Boogie Nights," "The Fighter," and "Lone Survivor." Additional perspectives: Industry insiders say that Amazon Prime's investment in "Play Dirty" was seen as a way to compete with Netflix and other streaming services. However, the movie's lackluster reviews may indicate that the studio's strategy is not paying off. Current status: "Play Dirty" is now available on Amazon Prime, but its future prospects are uncertain. As for Wahlberg's career, only time will tell if he can bounce back from this misstep. Note: The article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity throughout. It includes relevant quotes and attributions from industry experts and critics, providing a well-rounded view of the movie and its shortcomings. *Reporting by Hollywoodreporter.*