Max Payne was not what I was expecting. I went into the theater looking for a passable story with some in your face violence and a typical Mark Wahlberg solid performance that would be worth watching – but not worth owning on DVD. I came out of the theater totally excited to see this movie again.
Wahlberg brings the video game character Payne to life in this gripping story of murder and mayhem in New York. If you’ve played the game, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that, contrary to the trailer depiction, this movie follows the storyline pretty well.
Max Payne is on the hunt for justice after the killing of his family. His sparse clues lead him to some junkies and some crazy dudes spouting Norse mythology. Combine this with other murders that are taking place, mix in some mob complications and add a dose of demons and you get one hell of a ride.
From the opening scenes you’re struck with an acute sense of anticipation that never really lets up throughout the movie. Whether Max is figuring out a new connection or running in a rain of bullets, this movie doesn’t slow down.
With a great cast including Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Chris O’Donnell (Vertical Limit) and Beau Bridges (Stargate series) the movie is produced and directed by John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines and Flight of the Phoenix). Filming is dark and has the graphic novel feel you would expect. It also has some amazing special effects that were introduced in the game that really come alive in the movie and leave you wanting more.
I appreciated a couple things in particular about this movie that I had questions about when I saw the trailer. The first was that there was no nudity. There was the opportunity and even an expectation in one scene and yet the director left it out. I think it’s refreshing to see movies like this stand on their own without the need to add something they think the teens and twenty something men this movie is aimed at will be drooling for. And the second thing is the way in which the demonic presence is included. While I still had some questions as I left the movie about their portrayal and purpose, it wasn’t the overwhelming storyline that it looked like it might be. Instead it was intriguing and left me hoping for a sequel.
If you’re a fan of the game or of action movies in general, Max Payne won’t disappoint. And don’t be disappointed in yourself later for leaving the theater before the credits finish…
Rating: 
They should have called the movie Max Paynefull. Almost 2 full hours of jaw dropping boredom a horrible plot that was backed up by uninspired dialogue and a writers block script. Is it just me or when you go the movies lately do you prepare yourself for a lacklustered, unimaginative evening. How is all this money spent to produce such terrible trash. All throughout I wanted to leap out of my seat and say “cut”. This was an eye rolling experience followed by a host of yawns. All I can say for Max Paynefull is that the popcorn was good.
I am preparing to see the film, and this review is excellent. So many people and critics are bashing the movie for having a drab and dreary attitude throughout; did these reviewers ever play the game?
I saw one review whining about the lack of more of those flying creatures; they weren’t even in the games!
This movie is clearly a niche movie, people who haven’t played the game are likely to find it drab and find the character hollow; but that is the whole point of the game itself; the character has no hope and no desire to live; thus the depressing film.
I think that most people looking forward to this film will be doing so because of the game. It’s not going to be everybodies cup of tea!
I’m a Max Payne fanatic so I’d see this even if I knew it was going to be shit. The fact that it might even be half decent is just an advantage…