'Infinite' Review: Antoine Fuqua's Film Fails Before It Has A Chance To Succeed

Lead stars Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor make for a compelling pair on screen but their combo can't stop Infinite from plummetting into mediocrity.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Infinite explores the concept of reincarnation in a creative way; a man named Evan McCauley (Wahlberg) discovers there is a reason he has had mental issues all his life. He belongs to a group of individuals called 'Infinites'; people whose lives continue after they've died as their souls are reborn into other bodies.

Evan has a run-in with the law and he comes face to face with Bathurst (Ejiofor), a man who belongs to the other group of Infinites. Unlike their counterparts, they don't want to save the world and they have been foes of the Infinites for ages.

The protagonist's meeting with Bathurst changes the course of his life after he is rescued by Nora (Sophie Cookson), an Infinite who wants to help him unlock the hidden knowledge needed to find a capsule Bathurst intends to use to end all life on the planet.

As Evan and Nora go on the run, they are relentlessly pursued by Bathurst and his minions. Time is of the essence as they are tasked with solving a longtime riddle involving Evans's past life before Bathurst closes in on them.

The plot is intriguing and the film starts with the potential to be something great. Midway into the exposition, it loses steam as it becomes hampered by issues like bad and cheesy dialogue, lack of character development, and a lackluster finale.

Mark Wahlberg in INFINITE | Image Source: CNET

What is the point of seeing a movie through to its conclusion when you already know how it ends before you even get there? My interest started to wane when I started finishing the sentences of the characters before them.

As the hero, the character of Evan stays the same almost throughout. The only time he seems to undergo a change, it feels forced and rushed and comes across as unconvincing.

Wahlberg's charisma is undeniable but his character arc lacks the necessary depth to resonate with the viewer. In some scenes, you root for him while in others, you are indifferent to his plight.

I enjoyed watching Ejiofor as the villain. His creepy and menacing look is complemented by his resolve to do the unthinkable. Even though he strayed from the right path long ago, he is convinced he is doing the right thing. He is tired of mankind's seemingly mundane existence and seeks to "see the face of God".

Though the hero and villain are touted as having extraordinary combat skills, by the time their physical confrontation begins, one wonders if the stars playing them trained well for the action scenes.

As for Bathurst's female bodyguard, she was practically useless for the length of the film. Her fight scene with Nora was disappointing and her demise was as inconsequential as her existence.

Fuqua made a name for himself making unique action dramas but with Infinite, he fails to meet the impressive standards he set with previous movies.

The music is good but the action fluctuates between awesome and ordinary, and the special effects are okay. In my opinion, the movie's opening action sequence is its best part. It gave off this Fast & Furious vibe that got me hooked. Sadly, that adrenaline rush was not sustained.

I will conclude my review by saying this; Infinite had the potential to be something much more than it is and could have spawned sequels. But with Fuqua's interpretation, I doubt that will happen.

Rating: 5.5/10.