Shane Black’s ‘Play Dirty’ Earns Mixed Reviews — 55 on Metacritic

I didn’t expect raves for Shane Black’s “Play Dirty,” which hits Prime Video this Friday. Black’s pulp sensibilities seem intact, but critics aren’t on his side this time.

The review embargo just lifted on “Play Dirty,” and it’s mixed reviews all around: 55 on Metacritic and 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s too bad. I’ll still be watching it in my living room on Friday.

I like Black, but the trailer wasn’t very enticing. Mark Wahlberg replaced the original lead — and Black muse — Robert Downey Jr., which feels like a downgrade. It could have been a “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” reunion, but that will have to wait.

Black’s last film was 2018’s “The Predator,” a disaster plagued by studio interference, reshoots, delays, and an entire third act rewritten mid-production. He deserves a comeback vehicle, and “Play Dirty” looks at least somewhat promising.

The film revolves around a thief, Parker (Wahlberg), who gets a shot at a major heist that pits him against a South American dictator, the New York mob, and the world’s richest man. The wonderful Lakeith Stanfield plays Grofield, a con artist. The rest of the cast includes Rosa Salazar, Tony Shalhoub, Keegan-Michael Key, Nat Wolff, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Thomas Jane.

The Parker character was first introduced in the 1962 novel “The Hunter” and went on to appear in 23 more titles by Donald E. Westlake. He’s since been the basis for films like “Parker,” “Payback,” “Point Blank,” and the criminally underrated 1973 gem “The Outfit,” starring Robert Duvall.

Black started his career as a 27-year-old whiz-kid screenwriter with “Lethal Weapon,” “The Last Boy Scout,” “The Last Action Hero,” and “The Long Kiss Goodnight.” His directorial debut, 2005’s “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” has become a cult favorite, as has 2016’s “The Nice Guys.”