Its not Payne-ful, but its not a new action classic, its okay, but I’m not overly excited about this movie.

Maybe if I played the video game that “Max Payne” was based on, I would be more into this movie… but considering it took me about a week to actually finish this review tells you something… right? 

You may or may not know that I actually like Mark Wahlberg in the hero role of these second-rate action movies… but this one is just okay for me.
 

The action was good, the gunfights were good, but the overall feel was like a mix between “Sin City” (2005), ”The Matrix” (1999), “Blade Runner” (1982) and a little bit of “Constantine” (2005)… with the grittiness, otherworldly, and futuristic feel… but it was missing the heart that make those movies much better… except “Constantine”, this movie is better than that.

Wahlberg either ends up playing a pretty good part in movies with critical or popular success: “The Departed” (2006), “The Italian Job” (2003), “The Perfect Storm” (2000)… or playing a pretty good part in movies that don’t get the attention, or good reviews: “We Own the Night” (2007), “Shooter” (2007), “Three Kings” (1999).   For the record I like all of the above to varying degrees.

But “Max Payne” didn’t blow me away… I wasn’t wowed… I wasn’t amazed, I wasn’t on the edge of my seat, surprised by the twists, or clamoring for more… perhaps its because I’m not a teenager who hasn’t seen a similar storyline in at least a dozen movies before it.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

If you’re looking for a decent action/sci-fi/game inspired movie to rent.. this isn’t a complete waste of time and money, but if you’re looking for more… there ARE BETTER OPTIONS OUT THERE… I give it 6.0 out of 10.

 “Max Payne”

(2008)
(rated: PG-13 for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language.)
(1 hr, 40 min)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Chris O’Donnell, Donal Logue, Amaury Nolasco, Kate Burton, Olga Kurylenko, Nelly Furtado

Director: John Moore

Genre: Action/Crime/Sci-Fi/Video Game

The Plot: Coming together to solve a series of murders in New York City are a DEA agent whose family was slain as part of a conspiracy and an assassin out to avenge her sister’s death. The duo will be hunted by the police, the mob, and a ruthless corporation.

So what did you think?  Please post a comment!

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“Max Payne” poster courtesy 20th Century Fox

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