IR Film Review: INFINITE [Paramount +]
The notion of self is an changing perception that runs all through pop culture but it has been present for thousands years but under a different name, context and perception: reincarnation. That perception is at the core of the story of "Infinite". Without giving away the crux of the story, the question becomes who do we see versus what we think we are. There is an interesting parallel to psychosis and mental health which is an interesting approach as well as the structure. The film in alot of its spectacle really does deserve to be in a theater, even if it was day and date. It can be a fairly bloated action film but with an interesting high concept premise at its core. Producer Lorenzo Di Bonaventura knows how to make these kinds of films but it does feel a little retro while being modern (like "Demolition Man" back in the 90s). One scene with them pulling up to a casino feels a lot like "Ghost Protocol" too. The film is still also able to reflect the everyman context of Mark Wahlberg.
There is an parallel idea of what is an "Infiinite" vs a "Nihilist". The reason of what is being shown can be understood from an individual point of view but the manicness of the characters sometimes moves away from the premise. Now granted this is a major studio film that likely could be a tent pole. And actually in all irony it does point even to another film coming out this year from the same studio, That said, "Infinite" is fun to watch: beautiful locations, unique and beautiful people, some popcorn fun with the same kind of logic thrown in but also a kind of resolution that you don't often see in movies of this size but it perfectly fits with the concept. Antoine Fuqua as a director is having fun making almost his version of an action film and with a PG-13 rating to boot. And it doesn't need more.
This will be an interesting experiment in terms of using this kind of movie as a streaming launch right after the success of "A Quiet Place Part II" Chiwetel Ejiofor plays outside his comfort zone here but gives his adversary a menace that works. One reveal was almost a Christmas present that would have upped the ante even more (but eventually would not have made sense because of the time involved) but would have made sense because of the connection with the two topliners of the film. Wahlberg has good instinct for concepts. "Infinite" is a perfect functional high concept romp that takes itself just seriously enough without getting too dark and finding some humor and fun throughout. B
By Tim Wassberg
