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: ☆☆☆☆☆ 

The newest trailer for the upcoming Max Payne film featuring Mark Wahlberg has hit the net in a fury. With the statement from Wahlberg that he could kick The Dark Knight‘s ass with his hands, this movie better live up to the video game series. If it doesn’t it will hit bottom very very very hard.

While I think it looks to be a solid film, that may not live up to the standards set up by the video games. These games really brought something new and fresh to the gaming world and I hope the producers and directors did their job in sticking to the storyline of the games.

We shall see. Enjoy the trailer below.

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Max Payne is directed by Irish filmmaker John Moore, of Behind Enemy Lines and Flight of the Phoenix. The film is based on the popular Max Payne series of third-person-shooter video games. Max Payne is kicking ass in theaters on October 17th.

You can also watch the final Max Payne trailer in HD on Yahoo