Mark Wahlberg’s Rotten Action Thriller ‘Mile 22’ Finds Success on Streaming

As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that I find myself both intrigued and disheartened by the career trajectory of Mark Wahlberg and Iko Uwais. On one hand, it’s exhilarating to see Wahlberg continue to lead action thrillers with such gusto. His charisma is undeniable, and he seems to have a knack for choosing projects that push the boundaries of adrenaline-fueled entertainment. However, the unfortunate reality is that Hollywood continues to squander the immense talent of Iko Uwais, whose skillset far surpasses the action-heavy but story-light films in which he’s been cast so far.

Mile 22 serves as a prime example of this wasted potential. While Wahlberg delivers yet another commendable performance, Uwais is reduced to little more than a prop, a tragic misuse of an actor who could be delivering breathtaking martial arts sequences that leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

It’s like serving a five-course meal and only using salt for seasoning. Yes, salt has its place, but it’s not meant to be the star of the show. I hope that Hollywood will soon recognize the value in giving Uwais the opportunity to truly shine and deliver the action spectacles that his skills deserve.

As for a bit of levity, I can’t help but wonder if Hollywood execs are secretly playing a game of “I Spy” with Iko Uwais, trying to spot him in their films without really noticing him. After all, if you hide the world’s best martial artist in a crowd, who’s going to notice? Let’s hope they find him soon and let him show us what he can really do!

2018’s action thriller by Mark Wahlberg, titled “Mile 22,” is experiencing a revival on streaming platforms. This film marks Wahlberg’s reunion with director Peter Berg, who has previously worked with him on “Lone Survivor,” “Deepwater Horizon,” and “Patriots Day.” Now, this hard-hitting story about Marky Mark leading an elite, covert CIA unit is climbing the charts on Starz, as viewers are drawn to its no-nonsense narrative.

As a long-time action movie enthusiast who has seen his fair share of adrenaline-pumping films, I must admit that I was initially intrigued by the star-studded cast of “Mile 22.” With Mark Wahlberg, Iko Uwais, John Malkovich, Lauren Cohan, and Ronda Rousey leading the way, I expected a high-octane, edge-of-your-seat experience. However, after watching the film, I was left feeling rather disappointed.

The critical reception for “Mile 22” was overwhelmingly negative, with only 23% approval from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience was slightly more forgiving, giving it a 44% rating on the Popcornmeter. Upon viewing the movie myself, I can understand why the critics were so harsh in their reviews.

The film’s title, “Mile 22,” seems fitting for a movie that feels like a marathon endurance test rather than an action thriller. The plot is lacking in substance and the action scenes are few and far between, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout the film. The dialogue is also unremarkable, with little wit or charm to be found.

In my opinion, “Mile 22” is a missed opportunity for a talented cast and crew. I had hoped for an action-packed adventure that would leave me on the edge of my seat, but instead, I was left feeling underwhelmed. If you’re looking for a truly exciting action movie, I would recommend checking out some other films in this genre.

Agent James Silva heads a compact yet deadly paramilitary squad on a critical and risky operation. Their task is to move a valuable foreign intelligence source from an American embassy in Southeast Asia to an airport for extraction, which is approximately 22 miles away. As Silva and his troops proceed, they discover that they are in a race against the clock as the military, police, and local gangs converge to repossess the asset, making their journey increasingly challenging.

Why Must Hollywood Continue to Waste the Talents of ‘The Raid’ Star Iko Uwais?

Drawing the attention of every enthusiast of action films with the intense, violent, and grittily captivating film that is 2011’s “The Raid” (some may have recognized his talent from the 2009 movie “Merantau”), Iko Uwais stands out as one of the most proficient martial artists showcasing his abilities in modern cinema. Regrettably, as “Mile 22” reveals, Hollywood has found it challenging to utilize him effectively.

Having had the opportunity to witness Iko Uwais’ exceptional performances in “The Raid 2”, “Headshot”, and “The Night Comes for Us”, I find myself deeply saddened by Hollywood’s repeated mishandling of his talents. As a longtime martial arts enthusiast, I can attest to the immense skill and charisma that Uwais brings to the screen, yet time and again, he has been misused in films like “Snake Eyes”, “Expend4bles”, and, most disappointingly of all, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. It’s a shame that such a gifted artist is not being given the chance to truly shine. I eagerly await the day when Hollywood finds a director who can do justice to Uwais’ talent in the years to come.

In terms of Mark Wahlberg, the star known for “Transformers”, persists in leading action thrillers with the imminent release of “Flight Risk”. Directed by Mel Gibson, “Flight Risk” sees Wahlberg playing a pilot tasked with escorting an Air Marshal (Michelle Dockery) who’s guarding a fugitive (Topher Grace) bound for trial. However, as they traverse the harsh Alaskan wilderness, trust and tension escalate, as it becomes apparent that not everyone on board is who they claim to be.

Mark Wahlberg’s upcoming projects include landing a theater release for “Flight Risk” on January 24, 2025. He is also set to reprise his role in the action sequel “The Family Plan 2” on Apple TV+. Additionally, he will star alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Molly Shannon, Eva De Dominici, Benjamin Bratt, Daniela Melchior, Eric André and Chelsey Crisp in Peter Farrelly’s action-comedy “Balls Up”. Wahlberg is also leading the long-awaited reboot of the classic 70s action series “The Six Million Dollar Man”, and will star in Shane Black’s crime thriller “Play Dirty”.

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2025-01-03 16:33