Review of Max Payne (2008) by Darren P — 08 Apr 2010

As I sit trying to figure out exactly how I can use this movie's title to illustrate how bad it is, a thought occurs to me. I would probably spend more time coming up with something like, "Max Payne" is a good way to describe the experience of viewing this movie," than did the writers when attempting something resembling a coherent plot. There is virtually nothing to latch onto in this movie. The characters are thinly drawn and unlikable, including the title character played by Mark Wahlberg.

That is the initial problem with "Max Payne" and indicative of the rest of the movie. The story behind "Max Payne" is the all too familiar burned-out-cop seeking vengeance for slain loved ones. When it works, this device is gripping (Man On Fire, Lethal Weapon). But to work, the device requires the viewer to care about the main character. Richly drawn characters like Denzel Washington's John Creasy or the now iconic Martin Riggs by Mel Gibson were able to connect with viewers. Viewers were invested in the outcomes of these to characters because they had developed relationships with other characters.

In "Man On Fire," Creasy develops a father-like relationship with a little girl and provides him with some sense of purpose while he considers suicide.

Riggs developed one of the most famous on screen duos with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). We cared about these characters and it is what made these movies worth while. It is exactly why "Max Payne" doesn't work. Right down to its title character "Max Payne" fails to make any of the characters interesting. Therefore the plot, jumbled as it is, isn't worth following.

Sadly "Max Payne" falls into the category of failed video game translations. Some might remember that "Max Payne" was one of the first great Playstation 2 titles employing "bullet-time" into its game-play which made for a very entertaining experience. The game's plot (as most early PS2 games were) was simple. Payne was out for vengeance and would not let anyone stop him and how could they? Payne had a limitless supply of ammunition and the player could nearly stop time. It was reasonable to expect that, even with a thin plot, "Max Payne's" movie translation would, if nothing else, provide some entertaining gun-ballet. But, with the exception of one uninspired action sequence, the movie makes no use of this element.

I remember playing the game and the creators managed to make "Max Payne" a fairly interesting character with only short cut scenes to work with. Funny how the film-makers failed to do it in an hour and a half. It's too bad. Other than some eye-catching graphics, Max deserved better treatment than this.