The film is from the writer of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Lethal Weapon and The Nice Guys.
Play Dirty, the new action comedy from acclaimed writer and director Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Nice Guys), has rocketed to the top of the Prime Video movie chart.
The movie is based on crime author Donald E. Westlake's series of novels revolving around the character of Parker, a professional robber specialising in large-scale, high-profit crimes.
Parker has previously been portrayed in screen adaptations by the likes of Jason Statham, Lee Marvin, Mel Gibson and Robert Duvall.
In Play Dirty, Oscar-nominee Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) steps into the role of the robber as he and his skilled crew - also including Grofield (Oscar-nominee LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah) and Zen (Rosa Salazar, Alita: Battle Angel) - stumble onto a score that "pits them against the New York mob".
The film's cast also includes Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker), Gretchen Mol (Boardwalk Empire), Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Nat Wolff (Death Note), Thomas Jane (The Punisher) and Tony Shalhoub (Monk).
Play Dirty has earned mixed reviews from critics for the most part, with some saying that the movie's blend of action and comedy is less successful than Black's previous work, such as his directorial efforts Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys, and his scripts for The Last Boy Scout, Lethal Weapon and The Long Kiss Goodnight.
That said, many remarked that they were pleased to see Black return to cinema after the underperformance of his previous movie: 2018's The Predator.
You can read a sample of some of the positive reviews for Play Dirty below:
Collider: "The latest action-comedy from Shane Black proves that he's still capable of delivering an equal parts funny and action-heavy comedy with all the trademarks that make us love him as a filmmaker.
The Guardian: "A major complaint about the action-comedy genre as it stands is a total lack of the latter, hopelessly unfunny scripts in dire need of a sitcom writer to add some life. Black has no such issue; his writing here rhythmic and thoughtful."
IndieWire: "While this isn’t quite the stuff of vintage Black, it’s close enough that I wouldn’t mind seeing him crank another one out every two years for the next decade."
JoBlo's Movie Network: "Play Dirty is a fun movie that works well enough. If you are a fan of Mark doing his Wahlbergiest, then you will enjoy Play Dirty."
Variety: "An action-comedy throwback powered by enough casual violence to inspire more grins than groans. Black, as a director, has made this retro action power cheese his brand, not always successfully. But in this case he reminds you of why he’s good at it."
How to watch Play Dirty
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Play Dirty is streaming in Ireland and the UK on Prime Video.
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