Mark Wahlberg’s movies are always a hit or miss for me, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Lynn Cupido. But, I was in the mood for some action-packed sequences, and this movie looked like it might satisfy my craving.
There was plenty of action alright, but the movie felt similar to being dropped in the middle of the ocean with no recollection of how you got there in the first place. I spent a few months studying creative writing, and if there’s anything that I took away from that course, it was the number one rule: “show don’t tell.”
Unfortunately, this movie is filled with endless narration from the main protagonist, with many of the film’s characters doing the same.
The story is constantly being spoon-fed to us. Unfortunately, this has the opposite effect of what I’m assuming the writers were hoping for – getting to know the film’s main characters. Instead, I was left feeling like I knew nothing about Wahlberg’s Evan McCauley/Heinrich Treadway, and frankly, I didn’t much care.
It left me feeling disappointed. It’s a prime example of lazy writing being crammed into a two-hour runtime. So much could have been done with this incredible premise, something that felt new and fresh amongst Hollywood’s usually regurgitation of superhero stories.
For context, the movie follows Evan/Heinrich, a mentally unstable individual haunted by voices and images he has no control over and that he feels is not his own. Unbeknownst to him, he’s part of a hand full of individuals around the world that are capable of remembering their past lives. Death is nothing but a pebble in their path, but Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character looks to end all that by destroying humanity with an egg bomb.
Okay, not every aspect of the plot is gold, but it’s an interesting premise that could have been epic if it was given a bit more time and attention.
Unfortunately, the performances were not that great either. Dylan O’ Brien does a terrific job of shinning on screen, if only for a few minutes before passing the baton to Wahlberg, who fumbles the landing. Sophie Cookson is beautiful to look at but turns in a wooden performance that doesn’t quite mix with what’s happening on screen. As always, Ejiofor is a dream, or at least when compared to the rest of the performances that we’re meant to endure.
In conclusion, it’s an okay movie if you’re looking for a unique premise and a little eye-candy in the form of Dylan O’ Brien. Other than that, this movie was a 2/10 at best.
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Picture: Twitter