Pain & Gain

You would think that a crime drama based on real life events starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Tony Shalhoub, and Ed Harris; and directed by Michael Bay would at the very least be watchable.   The bizarre crime spree of 3 bodybuilders and a host of other accomplices is turned into a black comedy-drama that doesn't work on any level.  This is one film that I was sadly unable to even finish.  It didn't even satisfy on a cheap level. What little humor I saw was barely palatable, and there was not enough interesting character development, star charisma, or chemistry to push the story along.  I don't know why the fuck they even made this movie, less it was just a chance for these stars to work together, get jacked in the gym, have fun in their criminal portrayal, and.... Hey, wait a minute.   I get it now.  This is sort of like Wahlberg's film The Big Hit fifteen years ago, a testosterone injected cast with stylized action and humor.  No, shit wait again. That was at least actually entertaining and watchable and enjoyable on certain levels.  On the surface, Pain & Gain would understandably have some sort of interest and certainly it did on the initial box office draw.  But for me, it was just pain and no gain.  Normally, one would say save your money.  In this case, save your free time.