Wonderful Movie

Great Film overall

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Max Payne is my second favourite Video game adaption after "Prince of Persia the Sand of Time".The movie is a clear and effective homage to the Noir-Thrillers of the 30's-50's in every aspect and that's what makes the movie great for me. This film doesn't rely on action sequences rather than telling a intriguing Thriller-story with a few very well handled action sequences, which are all unique and different.This is my favourite performance by Mark Wahlberg and that's saying something, because a year prior he showed us his worst performance in the weird "The Happening". He shows great subtle emotions and you feel for him the whole way through because you understand him. All the other actors also do a fairly well job, even Mila Kunis who is believable in one of her first serious roles.One of the reasons i hold this movie in such high regards is also the technical aspect of it. The look is beautiful and the camera-work and editing is great. It succeeds in capturing the style and tone of a real Noir-Thrillers, but with a modern take. Dark contrasts and long shadows, also the use of color in this movie is (while slightly on-the-nose) really well handled. Also the visual effects are really well done, most of all when people take the Valkyr-drug it's sheer amazing at times.The score by Marco Beltrami is some of his best work, and i'm a real fan of this composer for a long time.The story is slightly changed from the video game to make it work on it's own and so that it's surprising even for fans, and i appreciate it (being a fan of the games myself).I'm also happy they used Max monologues just at the start and the finish of the movie, because even in the game it's sometimes a bit to over-depressive and metaphorical at times.All in all i enjoy the movie very much, it even introduced me to the games, and even after playing both i haven't changed my mind at all... (For the record: I talk only about the Director's Cut, the other version really is some bull**** ;) )

'Max Payne' is the movie adaptation of the infamous computer game. Many critics say it is something which that the movie makers have not ever played or even seen still frames of. I would also honestly admit I have never played it. So I can only give my individual judgement of the movie itself. The movie is about a cop played by Wahlberg who is intent capturing the killers of wife and young child. This is shown in flashback sequence in the middle portion of the movie. From his undercover snitch his is given leads and before he can question them they are killed off. However his partner discovers some information which leads Payne to a pharmaceutical company that his wife was employed for. The reason behind his family's murder forms the latter part of the movie. There is also the role played by Mila Kunis who is after the killer of her sister. The movie is directed by John Moore who is behind the upcoming 'Stephen King' Movie IT and made the 2006 'The Omen' The cinematography is very appropriate with the film. There are many moments that are reminiscent of Frank Miller's 'Sin City'. As a matter of the fact the entire film is shot in that same dark bleached style. The film has good pacing and does not waste time with the plot. Many fans of the game have criticised the film for not being faithful to the game. But I guess it's each to their own. Mark Wahlberg once again hammers loudly at the screen. Unfortunately his emotions are underdeveloped, but plays the role to his best ability. Frankly I feel that this role was too restraining for him. Beau Bridges also gives good support.

Story: Having never played the games or even knowing anything about the games I could really see this fresh as an action fan. I was expecting some form of supernatural side to the story but I was wrong. It is just a revenge thriller that has lots of action and very little dialogue. Most of the support characters have very little development and are each only used to pass on a small part of the story. In the end as a standalone action film it is switch the mind of acceptable. (6/10)Actor Review: Mark Wahlberg – Max Payne the determined cop who wants to truth who ends up getting caught up in something bigger than he could have ever imagined. Solid from Mark but the fans of the games will dislike what he does to the character. (7/10)maxActor Review: Mila Kunis – Mona from the more underworld side of the city she ends up teaming up with Max to take down the people responsible for the death of their loved ones. I think this was a bit too early in her career, she looks a little bit out of place, and maybe she could return for a sequel and use what she has learned. (4/10)milaActor Review: Beau Bridges – BB Hensley friend of Max who was also good friends with his wife, he tries to help but ultimately is the guy responsible for everything that has driven Max. Good but nothing special performance. (6/10)Actor Review: Ludicrous – Jim the internal affairs officer trying to figure out what the corruption in the Police could change how they look at crimes being committed in the town. Another guy who was in a role that is hard to believe too early in his acting career, he tries but it just doesn't quite some off for him. (5/10)ludicrusActor Review: Chris O'Donnell – Jason a former work colleague of Max's wife, knows more than he is letting on. Good supporting role that is good use for information only. (5/10)Actor Review: Donal Logue – Alex ex-partner who tries to reconnect after discovering a new clue about Max's wife's murder. Only a small role but the look of a desperate friend works well. (6/10)Actor Review: Amaury Nolasco – Jack a man that spends a lot of time watching what is going on with Max and Mona, but he does have a motive, but we never know what he final motive is. Good supporting role used well to create a target for Max. (6/10)amruayDirector Review: John Moore – Simple direction used to create plenty of over the top action for the more casual fan to enjoy. (6/10)Action: Plenty of gun fights throughout, I really don't know how many bullets they must have used. (9/10)Crime: Simple crime aspects used nothing truly original though. (6/10)Thriller: Tries to pull of some thrills but doesn't really succeed. (6/10)Special Effects: Good special effects for the hallucination scenes and gun battles. (9/10)Believability: No (0/10)Chances of Tears: No (0/10)Settings: Dark settings used to create a very dark world similar to the story they are in. (8/10)Suggestion: This is really one to try I can't say it is very original and like most video game films isn't the most popular compared to the games. (Try It)Best Part: Gun rights.Worst Part: poor support character development.Action Scene Of The Film: The office gun battleOscar Chances: NoChances of Sequel: Do to the poor box office it would be a no.Overall: Video Game Action, You Know What You Are Getting

No, that summary title isn't wrong, I was playing with words. Much like director John Moore does with scripts!How, pray tell, did this man ever get the leap into feature films?No please, I would really like to know. I have 7 features under my belt, all independently of course, but this guy just jumps straight in with Behind Enemy Lines (which to be fair was, well, fair).But my god, if there ever was a boring director then it must be John Moore. He does some things in his films that even make Uwe Boll seem exciting!Max Payne may be one of the better game to film adaptations, but by the 30 minute mark I was checking Facebook on my phone, doing a crossword and skyping my husband.Even with such beautiful visuals, at times, there just wasn't enough to hold my attention. I only played the game a handful of times, but that seems more than what Moore did before he got his hands on this project.Such a shame, but a good background movie.