Max Payne Film Review

Ah, Max Payne. I played the game a few years ago, when I had the time (and the computer) for that sort of thing (laptops aren't conducive to gaming, apparently...). At the time the game was released, there was talk of a film (there always is, though, isn't there?) and I waited with bated breath, for reasons unknown.

So, imagine the old excitement that awoke when I heard the film was actually coming out, and imagine then the disappointment upon hearing that the eponymous hero was to be played by Mark Wahlberg. Oh dear. I don't hate him, I rather enjoyed Shooter, for instance, but as a character as recognizable as Max? I didn't think so. (Incidentally, when I first saw a screenshot of Marv from Sin City, I thought it was a still from a Max Payne film.) I went into the film uncertain as to what I ought expect.

The first half of the movie was good, I liked the (perhaps too obvious) exposition, and despite the fact that he shot off a million bullets and reloaded once (maybe twice) I loved it. Then things got a bit strange(r) and the story fell off the rails a spot. I can pinpoint exactly where this happened in my opinion, but I won't say for fear of ruining it for those who wish to see it. It is a pretty obvious point though, and hard to miss.

The thing that really annoyed me though, was the ending. It was awful. The film ended on a hopeless note, leaving even a die-hard Payne fan like me queasy at the notion of a poorly-plotted
sequel.

There are two things that I felt were brilliant in the film. The first was the gorgeous rendering of the city. It was done with excellent crafting, and allowed the film to capture the essence of the game more singularly than any other feature. The action sequences were also nice, with sparse, but well-timed appearances of the classic "bullet-time".

Overall, it wasn't as bad as I had heard, but wasn't as good as I hoped. I really think there has to be a sequel in order to finish the stories that were left up in the air at the end, but I dread to think where it will go should it ever rear an ugly head. If you haven't played the game and enjoyed the experience, I wouldn't spend the money or time watching this film.

Blake.