Max Payne

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Donal Logue, Olga Kurylenko
Directed by: John Moore
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Max Payne (Mark Wahlberg) searches for the murderers of his wife and child, and soon uncovers a plot more sinister than he could have imagined.

Review:

Tim: Max Payne is based on a video game, so it already faced an uphill battle. I have to say that it very nearly pulled it off. I didn't really like this movie all that much, but I saw how I could have. Had this movie been a bit better, it would have been quite good. The film's strongest point is the dark, brooding cinematography. The movie is often beautiful to look at, although in a gloomy, dark way. The film also separates itself from similar films with the demon-like dark angels. I had no idea what these were when I saw trailers of the movie, and I have to say that they were explained very well. I liked this aspect of the film, and I thought it added a nice touch of originality that worked for the movie. There were also a few fairly strong gunfights, which is what you want to see in a movie like this.

The problem with the movie is nearly everything else. The plot has some strong pieces, but as a whole, simply doesn't work. It is just very weak, full of plot holes, and requires a huge suspension of disbelief. It isn't particularly engaging or exciting (save for those moments I mentioned earlier) and it ultimately ends in lackluster fashion. I had a difficult time with this movie, because I could identify specific moments and scenes that were fantastic, but the majority of the movie that holds those moments together is only so-so. That is a shame. As a result, we have to suffer through scene after scene just to get those impressive moments.

I am typically not a fan of any movie that features Mark Wahlberg walking around like he's the baddest guy on the planet. He always seems like he's trying so hard to be tough, and I never buy it. However, for this film, I can't think of a better guy for the part. I'm not being tongue-in-cheek here, but Wahlberg is the first guy when I think of a second tier violent video game hero. He is mostly good as Max Payne. I was excited to see Mila Kunis in the film, but her part is mostly worthless. I wonder why she even bothered. She couldn't have been wowed by the script, so I'm guessing it was the money. The supporting cast was fairly good, with Beau Bridges and Chris O'Donnell putting in good performances. As a whole, the cast was slightly above average.

Max Payne is a movie that swung for the fences and nearly made it. However close it might have come, it clearly didn't make it. This is a movie that has strong moments, but does not work as a whole. This is a movie that might have slightly more staying power than many similar films, but eventually, it'll be gone from our memories, too.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Four Brothers, Doom, We Own the Night, The Italian Job, The Corruptor