Infinite Fails To Deliver On Massive Potential
I’ve never been a big fan of Mark Whalberg. Some of his films are classics (The Fighter, The Departed, Ted), and others are massive letdowns (Ted 2, Transformers, Spenser Confidential). Infinite, his newest film streaming exclusively on Paramount Plus, falls into the latter category of Whalberg cinema. A lot of promise, just not a lot of quality execution.
Infinite is a beautifully shot film. The CGI and visual effects are outstanding (outside of a few minor instances). The camera work is a real thing of beauty. Director, Antoine Fuqua, has a history of all these traits with previous films (Southpaw and The Equalizer). Perhaps, this is Infinite, and Fuqua’s, crowning achievement.
It is a bit hard to find much else worth praising. Infinite is an exciting, edge of your seat action film. It’s just not a good exciting, edge-of-your-seat action film. My one major complaint, and perhaps most everyone else’s, why was Mark Whalberg cast as the lead?
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Dylan O’Brien (Maze Runner) would have been a far more suitable choice in the lead role. The same can be said for Whalberg in O’Brien’s role. The main character might have been more exciting and relatable had the younger O’Brien had the lead.
Whalberg was overshadowed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. This is far from Ejiofor’s best role, however, it was most different than his usual. Playing the main villain, he seemed to really embrace the performance. Was it over-the-top and cartoony? It most certainly was. Considering the dull, lackluster nature of Whalberg’s character, this was really needed.
Casting aside, I’m not sure what I was expecting from this film as it went on. I was leading myself to believe that we were in for some sort of twist. That never happened. A lot of the scenes just went from point A to point B without much explanation. Characters seemed to be in different places without any real insight as to how they got there. This also goes for their motives throughout the film as well.
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It’s that same issue that sets Infinite back more. The number of plot holes and stupid plot points makes this a really hard film to grasp. Many scenes and characters just felt unnecessary. Didn’t do anything to drive the movie home. And those that were indeed necessary to the film, the lack of importance placed on them when first brought up, only to have them be major plot points later, was more confusing than helpful.
To put a bow on this film review, Infinite had potential. I don’t think it ever really reaches the heights it is capable of. It’s worth a watch for those who have Paramount Plus. I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it if you want an intelligent action film.
Image Source: Peter Mountain/Paramount Plus
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
