MAX PAYNE (a movie based on a video game) is a fun big budget action film in a 1980s B-movie way. Still the excellent music score feels like ti needs an even better film. It is a shame that Ukraine bombshell Olga Kurylenko had so little screen time in this film. Mark Wahlberg is 100 times better than he was in the really terrible THE HAPPENING. The creators of the game didn't like the movie, buts still I enjoyed it for 100 minutes of entertainment in the afternnon. Max Payne is a cop out to find the guy who killed his wife and kid. He has eneded up in the cold cases department and the death of Natasha (Kurylenko) throws Max into the deep end. He hooks up with Natasha's sister, Mona Sax (Mila Kunis who isn't bad and yet I wonder if Milla Jovovich would have been so much better (or even Kurylenko)). Beau Bridges is in another bad guy role (Jeff did earlier in the year with IRON MAN). Max and Mona uncover a military enhancement drug called Valkyr. Do I wish it had a little more action while keeping all fo the thriller and mystery elements? Yes. As a film, MAX PAYNE will do great on DVD. Still, it is another film in the Fall that fails to stand out. I'm waiting for one Fall movie to stand out and I haven't seen one yet.

P.S. Stay until after the credits for a scene that features a possible set-up for a sequel (I just wish they would put extra scenes during the credits instead of after them- it's becoming an annoying trend for a few films).

this DVD review is (c)10-21-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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