Movie review: Max Payne

 Max Payne is a cop with an attitude on the hunt for those who murdered his family and partner. Teaming up with an assassin, the two simultaneously battle good and bad cops, an ethically corrupt corporation, and the mob.

Mark Wahlberg (Max Payne), Mila Kunis (Mona), Beau Bridges (BB), Ludacris (Bravura), Chris O'Donnell (Colvin), Donal Logue (Alex), Amaury Nolasco (Lupino), Kate Burton (Nicole), Olga Kurylenko (Natasha).

Based loosely on the game of the same name, Max Payne is the well worn story of a cop out for revenge after his family and partner are murdered. Ethics pushed aside, Max teams up with Mona, and assassin with her own wars to wage. Throw in a ridiculously addictive illegal drug giving the rest of the cast serious anger issues and the remainder of the film is full of big action scenes. The film finally dies a horrible death not worth remembering.

Mark, what were you thinking buddy? Though Wahlberg did okay, he is a lot better in other roles and simply felt dark and brooding here. Dark and brooding works well for Kunis however, and she delivered it well. Bridges had a strange expression much of the time and felt a bit too animated for his role. Ludacris, Nolasco, and the remainder of the supporting cast were okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds felt dark, lifeless, and highly contrived. In other words, it felt like a video game. Action scenes were often well over the top and again, consistent with the theme. Dialogue was dry and mostly lifeless but thankfully provided plot points. Sound and soundtrack are decent.

Overall Max Payne felt less like a movie and more like a video. The film does not seem to care about audience engagement, but is instead simply showing you a story it could care less if you think about. While fans of the video game may enjoy this one, I think most will find it dark and lacking life.

Amazingly mild sexuality, graphic and plentiful violence, foul language, and even drug use did nothing to improve the film. This one is fine for teens and above.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 4.6.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Action, Drama, Video Game Movies

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