Mark Wahlberg teams up with director Peter Berg for the third time in one of this Summer's biggest blockbusters: Mile 22. But is it as good as their previous collaborations?
Director: Peter Berg
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais
Running time: 94 mins
It must be made clear that expectations were quite high going into this film. Maybe a little too high, in hindsight. Director Peter Berg’s previous three collaborations with Mark Wahlberg: Lone Survivor (2013), Deepwater Horizon (2016) and Patriot’s Day (2016) have all received high praise, and deservedly so. Therefore as Mile 22 began, a half full cinema screen awaited with high hopes.
Mark Wahlberg is James Silva, a super-tough, unsympathetic, extra-smart guy with his own aggression problems. He leads the CIA’s elite top-secret tactical command unit – Overwatch. This paramilitary team uses state of the art technology to devise complicated missions and complete them with as little noise as possible. Overwatch is over-watched by Bishop (John Malkovich) who has a witty comment and lips to purse at every setback, all coming from an unknown location which looks mysteriously like an abandoned warehouse.
Following a tense opening scene, the film takes on a frame narrative with Silva set up in an interview room answering questions, as the obscure and sometimes throwaway answers are presented throughout his flashbacks. Whilst this is a common literary device, it's nevertheless probably the best way the story could have been told to keep the tension chugging away. The task in front of the team is to transport Li Noor (Iko Uwais) out of the country in return for information on the locations of nuclear material which, if in the wrong hands, could lead to "Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined" size of disaster.
The action is a little careless all over the film and motives are never really established
It's evident from Berg and Wahlberg’s previous three collaborations that the script for Mile 22 is in comfortable hands. Berg has shown repeatedly in these three films that he can execute action sequences and set-pieces skilfully. Meanwhile, Wahlberg’s versatility may come under question, but he does enough to convince us that all three of his characters are unique individuals. The same can be said of his portrayal of James Silva here, although perhaps not in such a good way this time around. Silva is excessive, over-aggressive and point blank irritating at times. Wahlberg is having fun and taking his chance to really chew the scenery with this role, which the script allows him to do perhaps more than it should.
At around 94 minutes, Mile 22 is quite short compared to other action flicks released over the Summer. But to the film’s credit, this time flies past and, once you’re strapped in, the action doesn’t stop. But that's where the problem lies. The dialogue is like a bullet ricocheting, with each line delivered at a furious pace and, even in the more light-hearted moments, there is no pause for the audience to take a breath. This ensures that the shoot-outs, or expertly choreographed martial arts scenes, fall a little flat due to the lack of substance behind what’s happening on screen. The one exception comes with a hospital room scene which is simply jaw-dropping regardless of why it’s happening. The action is a little careless throughout and motives are never properly established, but if you’re looking for simple ‘popcorn’ entertainment and a full 94 minutes of escapism then this is for you. If you need something with a credible story or a hint of reflection, then it's probably best to avoid.
Did you know? Mile 22 was written specifically for Mark Wahlberg
Mile 22 is in cinemas now
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