“I don’t believe in heaven. I believe in pain.”
That is how Max Payne opens. Cheesy? Yes. Reminiscent of the video game series? Absolutely. While focusing mostly on the first game’s plot, the Max Payne movie is somewhat of a hybrid of Max Payne one and two. Mark Wahlberg plays Max Payne, a NYPD detective (instead of DEA) whose wife and child have been murdered. The case was never solved, which leads detective Payne on a John-McCain-like, Maverick mission into the criminal underworld. John Moore did a good job of capturing the atmosphere of the games, with some scenes (especially the exterior ones) taking on a bit of a surreal look. Colors were muted, and the ever present snow flakes hung in the air, rather than falling.
Early in the movie Max is in a subway, which is not coincidentally, the first level of Max Payne the video game. It looks spot on to the Roscoe St. in said video game. I don’t know if that’s a testament to the movie, for looking so much like the game, or to the game for looking so much like real life. Either way, it got me feeling nostalgic. This look and feeling is consistent throughout the film. Unfortunately it is a bit fouled up by some awkward pacing and editing decisions. Some scenes seem to start before they need to, and go on long after they should be over.
When I first heard that Mark Wahlberg had been cast as Max Payne I was a little confused. I like him as an actor, but he wouldn’t have been my first choice for this role. After pointing that out to a friend, we spent quite a bit of time trying to come up with the perfect choice. At first it seemed obvious to just get the guy from the game, since the comic book segments were created from photographs. I understand that the Max Payne pictured was actually the writer of the game, but they had someone else doing the voice-over. So maybe he’s not the best actor. Despite my doubts, Marky Mark made for a pretty cool Max Payne. I have to say, I am a little disappointed at the lack of cheesy Hawaiian shirts, including the classic cheetah number.
Overall the movie held my attention, but for being based on such an action-packed series of games, there were not very many shootouts; and when they did happen, the action wasn’t especially awesome. My favorite John Moore film, Behind Enemy Lines, had some very stylized action sequences. That’s not to say that Max Payne’s action was boring or cheap, it just seemed more standard fare than I was expecting. A lot of the rest of the film had a little flair to it though, with subtle shadows of demons creeping across backgrounds. I’d say the movie is worth watching, but it’s not necessarily one that is a must see in theaters; waiting for the DVD would be fine. Moore has promised a more “gamer-friendly” version of the film, with more violence but “it won’t be a bloodbath.”
Really? Really? Are you serious. I consider this one of the worst video game films I have ever seen. I even enjoyed the House Of the Dead movie more. I was so bored watching this movie I turned it off after about half an hour, despite the eye candy. Maybe it’s because I never played the Max Payne series, that I don’t get the film. But as an outsider looking in, it didn’t work for me.
Haha! When you say “one of the worst video game films” that doesn’t really carry a lot of weight, since absolutely none of them are any good. I also have to point out that it requires an attention span of epically small portions to turn off a movie within the first half an hour! I admit, it wasn’t the best movie ever, but to say that any movie made by Uwe Boll was more enjoyable than another movie from any other genre ever created makes me seriously consider your judgement, kind sir! That said, I did actually enjoy House of the Dead a little bit.
I don’t know if my judgment is way off, but I would have to say that I think a few of Uwe Boll’s films are better than this one and I only watch his films, because I enjoy how bad they are. IMHO I think Postal is a much better film than this one. Well since you say no video game film is any good, being one of the worst of the genre must make this film really really bad.
Though I would have to disagree with your argument, since I thought Resident Evil was a great film.
Now I am going to leave myself open for slaying by telling you that I also really liked the silver screen adaptations of Silent Hill, Hitman and Mortal Kombat.
Oh and speaking of House of the Dead, the new Wii game House of the Dead: Overkill is a blast, esp if you like campy exploitation films.
I’m going to have to agree with Dave on Resident Evil. I only had brief experience with the game but I loved the movie.
Alright, I may have over generalized, because both Silent Hill and Resident Evil were pretty awesome. But only the first Resident Evil, and Mortal Kombat? Come on, man! Anyway, I guess my biggest argument is, if you didn’t watch the whole movie you shouldn’t be allowed to classify it as “one of the worst ever”.
I’ve been thinking about getting House of the Dead, and a couple of the gun wii holder things. Do you think it’s worth buying though?
I’ve been thinking of writing a review for House of the Dead, since it would fit in with it being October now. The only problem with the game is the first play through is only about 3-4 hours long, but there are a lot of incentives to play each chapter more than once. Once you have beaten the game there is a Director’s cut version that is longer. But the quality of that time, esp if you play with some friends is very high. At only $20 right now on Amazon, it is a must buy. But you could easily beat it a few times on just a rental.
i love to play Max Payne all day long, it has lots of action in it.:-`
And do you wear your ‘metallic sandals’ while doing so Payton? I REALLY don’t understand this spam.
Holy shit! Metallic sandals?!
*buys*