Previous to Mile 22 I’d only seen one Wahlberg/Berg film, Lone Survivor. I liked it, despite the overtly “USA, USA” tone.
I figured I’d get a fair bit of that coming in this film too, but oh my, I got so much more.
- Divorce apps!
- Intelligence being an excuse to be a prick!
- Talking really fast about stuff we aren’t watching this film for!
- Horrendous editing!
In a 95 minute film it takes 40 to get to the point where the title makes sense. Wahlberg is a genius (or something), leading a team that operates outside government structure. When Uwais’s character requests extradition in exchange for the location of highly dangerous chemicals, the team needs to get him through 22 miles (!) of the crowded city to a waiting plane.
It’s handled with all the subtlety of a kid with crayons scribbling over the page. From the fussy script to the completely random feeling character moments, 22 is meant to be an action thriller, but couldn’t thrill if its life depended on it.
There is some OK gun action, but it takes more than an M4 with too many lamps attached (it’s daytime!) to get me excited. The fighting, courtesy of Uwais, is likely amazing. I can see that his impressive physicality and skill is used in the choreography. But I can’t enjoy it. This guy isn’t Liam Neeson; he doesn’t need twenty cuts to throw a punch! So why the hell do five of going up a wall when we know he can actually do it. There’s no need to hide him! Gah! Unforgiveable.
The most hilarious thing, and no it’s not Wahlberg being “smart”, is that there are seeds planted for a sequel! Bold indeed, as it doesn’t deserve one.
Brilliantly written and brutal