by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
When told he was going to be basically waterboarded, Mark Wahlberg responded that he feels some ways about drowning. What possible feelings did he have? He doesn’t like it! Well… I feel the same kind of way about this movie, Infinite. Seems like quite a harsh way to start this review, but it is incredibly true. When I saw this film was dropping on Paramount+, I did not have high expectations. Besides the new SpongeBob film, this was the only big movie to come out on this new and, honestly, disappointing streaming service. But then I looked closer and saw this big budget sci-fi flick from director Antoine Fuqua. Fuqua has a strong career as a director with some entertaining movies in his filmography. But his career is not immune to iffy efforts. Then there is Wahlberg. When you have a film like this, you expect a certain kind of performance from him. Nothing particularly interesting or great, but he is a big name and can get people in seats.
Is all of this enough for people to pick up this streaming service to check this one out?
Let us start with the effort from Fuqua. The moments are hit or miss throughout when it comes to the effects. The explosions look really fake, especially when fire is involved. With a film so focused on big budget effects spectacle, that is really distracting. But one of the few strengths this film has is its ability to spark excitement with the action sequences. The audience is treated to an engrossing and exciting opening sequence with Dylan O’Brien’s Heinrich Treadway behind the wheel of a Ferrari. This set piece really sets your hopes high, but unfortunately, the rest of the film never really lives up to it. There are a few moments where this budget wows, including a virtual remote-control terminal, but we have seen things like this in plenty of films. The trickiest issue with this movie is the awkward pacing. When the action is flying, the audience soars with it. But when the action stalls, it hits a brick wall.
But what is so wrong with the non-action sequences?
The writing, for sure. With two relatively unknown writers, this kind of film could be a huge risk. Unfortunately, that risk came to pass. I’d say around 90% of the dialogue an overabundance of exposition trying to make sense of the movie’s reincarnation aspects. Even with all that time dedicated to it, it still does not make a whole lot of sense. Who remembers what when they are reborn? Why did we have a whole long movie of trying to bring memories back when the stinger at the end throws that logic completely out the window. I guess you could just ignore it… but they shove these reincarnation themes in your face so much that you cannot escape it. Throw in another five percent of the dialogue being made up of terrible unfunny one-liners delivered poorly by Wahlberg. So why even listen at all? The characters are particularly flat and lack any distinguishable characterization… except for one. But we will get to Chiwetel Ejiofor soon. The story itself feels derivative and uninspired to boot. This is not a great sell, is it?
But what about the cast? Can they salvage any of the film?
For the most part… no. Wahlberg has real inconsistent line delivery that features a mix of trying to be intimidating and laughably awkward. His character really feels like a blank slate, but Wahlberg never really adds anything of interest to the role either. But the film has to have some fun supporting performances, right? Ejiofor is by far the most interesting character in the film. But is being interesting a good thing? The jury is out on that one. His design, accent, and demeanor are the most interesting and bold choices in a film filled with safe and derivative ones. At least I remember Ejiofor an hour after watching the film (I cannot really say that about anyone else). Then there is Sophie Cookson who stands out because she awkwardly stares at the camera and pouts. Jason Mantzoukas pops up as well and is weird…er than normal.
So… what are you all thinking after reading the rest of this review so far?
Are some of you still excited for a mindless and ridiculous big budgeted affair? That is not enough for me personally. But unfortunately, Infinite does not deliver that much at all. If you are looking for a reason to watch your Paramount+ account, this might not be the reason to. In the ever-mounting production of streaming service content, Infinite will fall to the wayside like many Netflix films that feel like they are cut from the same cloth.
Grade: D