Summary
I’m weirdly excited forMark Wahlberg’snext action comedy, but I doubt it’s going to help his current Rotten Tomato streak. Wahlberg has had a varied acting career, which includes acclaimed dramas likeBoogie NightsorThe Departed, but audiences still know him best for his action output.Mark Wahlberg action moviesare (usually) a fun time, with some of his best offerings includingShooter,Four Brothersand2 Gunswith Denzel Washington. In recent years, I’ve noticed an interesting trend in his career though.
Following the failed franchise starter ofMile 22in 2018,Wahlberg has largely focused on PG-13, family-friendly fare. This obviously extends toInstant FamilyandThe Family Plan, but it even includes action projects likeInfinite. The star always mixed up his filmography with lighter fare, but his shift away from R-rated offerings is notable. We’ll all be seeing Wahlberg back in R-rated mode soon enough, thanks to the upcoming Mel Gibson-directedFlight Planand Shane Black thrillerPlay Dirty.
The Union Looks Like Another Fun Mark Wahlberg Action Comedy
Wahlberg’s latest is a fun union with Halle Berry
For the time being, Wahlberg is staying in the PG-13 lane with his upcoming action-comedyThe Union. This casts him as a construction worker turned reluctant spy when his ex-girlfriend (Halle Berry) recruits him for a deep cover mission. I really dugthe trailer forThe Union, which shows off the great chemistry between Wahlberg and Berry, in addition to some well-staged action setpieces. This type of project is very much in Wahlberg’s toolbox; he gets to be charming and funny while showing off his action skills.
There’s nothing terribly fresh aboutThe Unionor its concept, and it will be leaning on its star power and action to draw viewers in. Tonally, it resembles2 Gunsthe most, which was also an action-comedy two-hander that didn’t take itself seriously.I’m positive thatThe Unionwill become Netflix’s Number One film the week it debuts, but what’s also predictable is the inevitable division between critics and audiences when it comes to reviewing it.
82%
83%
36%
51%
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53%
40%
73%
17%
34%
90%
43%
95%
7%
32%
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61%
Arthur the King (2024)
64%
I’m not onboard with the notion a movie’s Rotten Tomato score is the final say on its quality. Still, there is no denying how important these ratings have become to both viewers and studios, andMark Wahlberg’s Rotten Tomatoes streakmakes for grim reading.Out of Wahlberg’s last 11 movies, only two hold “Fresh” ratingson the Tomatometer. Both 2018’sInstant Familyand 2024’sArthur the Kingscored “Fresh,” with the latter being one of Wahlberg’s best movies in a long time.
I hate to say it, but the star has been on a run of mediocre projects. Video game adaptationUnchartedwas a solid hit, but more than earned its lukewarm 40% critics score, whileInfinitewasted a great premise and received a mere 17%in return. The worst performing of the bunch was the dire Netflix comedyMe Time, which paired Wahlberg with Kevin Hart; the film received 7% on the Tomatometer.
Mark Wahlberg is set to reunite with Tom Holland for the upcomingUncharted 2.
I’ll be watchingThe Unionthe week it arrives based on that fun trailer, but unless it offers something surprising, it doesn’t feel like it will be breaking Wahlberg’s recent RT run. It’s just not the type of star project critics generally warm to, and while Wahlberg and Berry will probably receive nice notices, the film’s story and lack of innovation will be cited as issues.
Mark Wahlberg’s New Movie Confirms A Harsh Reality After His Last 8 Releases
Mark Wahlberg’s latest film is currently out in cinemas, but the movie continues an unwanted trend that’s plagued the actor’s last eight releases.
It Won’t Matter Much If The Union’s Reviews Aren’t Great
There is a flip side to Mark Wahlberg’s Tomatometer score
Opinions will vary on The Union too, though it only has the jump over the reasonably low bar of being an entertaining film to watch during the weekend it arrives.
Critics and viewers were totally divided onUncharted, with the audience score being 90%. Meanwhile,The Family Plangot a 25% “Rotten” mark from critics, but a healthy 62% from viewers. Pretty much everyone agreed thatMe Timeis very skippable, with the audience score on that being only 32%. Opinions will vary onThe Uniontoo, though it only has the jump over the reasonably low bar of being an entertaining film to watch during the weekend it arrives.
Arthur the King’sbreaking Wahlberg’s Rotten Tomatoes streakis an encouraging sign for the star, and an indicator he’s on the lookout for better material.The Unionlooks like his best action vehicle in some time too, with the role playing to most of his strengths.
The Union
Cast
The Union is an upcoming film that explores the intersecting lives of multiple characters as they navigate complex relationships, personal struggles, and social issues.
