I should have loved this movie. We have martial arts, Eastern mysticism, and Mark Wahlberg riding a motorcycle with a katana (Samurai sword) strapped to his back. What’s not to like? Unfortunately, plenty. 

Infinite was directed by Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) and stars Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Redbelt, The Martian), and Sophie Cookson (Kingsman). 

Mark Wahlberg plays Evan McCauley, a man diagnosed with schizophrenia. He also finds he has skillsets, like crafting the aforementioned katana, but no memory of how he developed these abilities. Nora Brightman (Sophie Cookson) shows up to introduce him to the Infinites, those who reincarnate while retaining abilities gained in past lives.

In short order, they team up once again to save the world from annihilation. The team itself feels like an afterthought, though. 

Leading the Nihilists, the opposing force, is Bathurst played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. We never get much motivation for his villainy besides his wish to end his cursed existence. Although Ejiofor performs his role well, his character remains nothing more than a comic book bad guy. 

Actually, all the acting is fine, and even the VFX isn’t as bad as some recent movies. The premise is intriguing and the idea certainly has potential. Unfortunately, it’s never realized. 

The story that led up to the making of this movie is more interesting than the film itself. Turns out Infinite is based on the novel The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Maikranz. This was his first self-published effort. He placed a note in the book offering a reward of 10% of the advance to anyone who could convince a Hollywood producer to make the movie. Someone found his book, read the note, and did just that. True to his word, Maikranz paid out the reward. What an inspired marketing idea! I hope the author got a huge advance! 

Infinite isn’t all bad and starts out well before quickly becoming muddled by its convoluted plot. If the movie garners enough views, they’re set up for a sequel that would be poised, once again, to go direct to video streaming.  

Infinite is streaming now on Paramount+. 

Story Doctoring: 
Besides giving the villain and his minions more motivation, all characters need a compelling reason to reincarnate. We also need to see more of Mark Wahlberg’s reincarnations and each life must factor into the completion of his character arc. He also needs a love interest, an infatuation that has followed him throughout time. Perhaps one that must be sacrificed in the end.  

Rating:
Two out of five stars.