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Payback

Payback

List Price: $12.99
Your Price: $11.69
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: not a total bore
Review: it wasnt that much of a bore but this movie quickly drops with its nagging supportees and their dumb dialouge. but Gibson is great and looks like hes having a good time killing off these people then you'd think. the highlight is when Gibson visits James Coburn at his place and makes the bagcarries hold up the suitcases and then he shoots them, Coburn flips out and its great. some good action scenes, but Gregg Henry sorta puts the kick in kicked in the head, though I was greatful Gibson shot him in the head.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Payback - A truly enjoyable film!
Review: "Payback" hails back to the seventies type movies where rooting for the bad guy is the whole point of the movie and it works quite successfully in this first-rate film. Mel Gibson does an terrific job of playing the bad guy that you really want to root for. Fair warning to the light of heart and young ones though, for this film is not for them. Sticking with Mel Gibson's type of film making, the realism in this film is astonishing and could be considered rather shocking.

Given that this is an entirely different type of movie for Mel Gibson in which he is the hero of the film but his character isn't quite the "hero" type, I found his performance to be exceptional, but then again, name a film where his performance wasn't exceptional. Maria Bello of "ER" fame stars as Mel Gibson's love interest and she performs quite well in this film. Gregg Henry who plays the "true" bad guy of the film and he does a great job of playing the extraordinarily sadistic mafia "wannabe." Kris Kristofferson plays the "mob" boss of the film. Lucy Alexis Liu performs quite "scarily" as the masochistic/sadistic call girl with some interesting associates.

This is the first film from Director Brian Helgeland that I've seen and he certainly deserves a great amount of praise for bringing the novel "The Hunter" by Richard Stark to the silver screen and DVD format. This film is certainly the last of its type in the twentieth century! The sound track for the film matches perfectly with the entire "feel" and atmosphere of the film, greatly enhancing the experience.

The premise:

Mel Gibson plays Porter who, while being little more than a common criminal is not so much a common criminal as the film unfolds. As the film opens Porter is retelling the recent events of his life after he's been shot and has now recovered enough to make his way back to New York City and he's on a mission. We soon learn that he and Val Resnick had planned and executed the robbery of $130,000 from a Chinese organized crime group and that when it came time to divide the money between himself and his wife and Val, Val had been conspiring with Porter's wife, showing her a picture of Porter and Rosie (Maria Bello). Porter's wife shoots him in the back. He's now recovered and he's coming to town, looking for his $70,000 and to kill Val Resnick.

What follows from there is nothing short of one of the most brilliant films of its type where Mel Gibson brings his style of acting to the forefront where he can throw in some well placed and funny lines in the most serious of situations for his character.

I highly recommend this film to any and all fans of this genre as you will soon find that it bears many viewings quite easily and all the way through you'll be "rooting for the bad guy." {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

There's not much to look for here when it comes to the Special Features for "Payback." In the end though, this DVD is about the movie and that's what you get, in all its glory!

- 2 Theatrical Trailers
- Behind the Scenes Featurette

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A man who knows exactly his price... 70K
Review: A very simple plot : Porter (Mel Gibson) has been shot for USD 70,000 (his share of a robbery from China gang). And luckily, he survives and wants the money back.

The story then goes a little bit complicated after : [1] dirty cops want to have share, [2] the China gang wants revenge, and [3] mob organization whom his partner give his money to.

But... Porter will do whatever it takes to get the money back. The stake is very high, but what he wants is only his 70K.

This is the movie, I first caught Lucy Liu in movie. Although playing small role, but her action is unforgettable.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: plenty of action
Review: plenty of action in this flick, plenty of familiar faces in the acting dept also, don't expect an academy award winner, but...if ya seen it at the movies on a saturday afternoon, it was well worth the money.. soap star trevor st john plays a hot guy, the son of kris kristofferson, william devane plays a outfit boss, corrupt cops....has everything in this movie to keep ya entertained....a comparison to " get carter" with stallone was mentioned, i was seeing the same exact thing, this was much better, mel gibson has 9 live in this movie for sure

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Payback More Please
Review: Payback is dark, stylish and features one of Mel Gibson's coolest performances.

The muffled Dolby Digital track is sort of a disappointment, and more extras would be greatly appreciated, considering all the dram that went behind the camera for this particular film. Most people who has seen this film would know by now that there was a different version of Payback, with different plot twist and ending, before the original director Brian Helgeland was fired by Gibson due to creative difference. You can find plenty scenes and action sequences which were not in the final version in the short trailer, that alone can tell you how much materials we missed! Personally I would love to see the alternative version included, with a "fly on the wall" behind the scenes documentary, in a Special Limited Edition package.

People complained about "Payback" having too much shadow of the "Pulp Fiction" fame. I do not know how to argue with that. Because it could be, even though it does not intend to, since Pulp Fiction has been the champion reference for any other films that is slightly noirish, violent, and full of cussing. I would only say that this film might vastly improve if it is more action-oriented. Overall, Payback is an above-average gangster noir, entertaining, but forgetable. Whether the alternative version is a better one, we will never know, or won't we?

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent, but not for everyone
Review: This is a very dark movie. There are no good guys here. If you're turned off by that, stop reading now. If you're still reading, you'll probably enjoy this movie. Mel Gibson gives a stellar performance, adding a gritty edge to his voice that I've never heard before. The cinematography is quite good, not leaving much to be desired. A note of warning, though, this is NOT a movie for those with weak stomachs. There's quite a bit of cold-blooded killing. If you have the proper disposition, you'll be entertained by this movie, and thats what its all about, isn't it?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My Money Yes Or No?
Review: That is the phrase that has made this movie one of the best anti-hero flicks you can ever see. A remake of the 1967 Point Blank it out performs the other well. Most people see this as light hearted but somehow Marvin's ice cold Walker never did the job instead of shooting he was more or less waiting for the action to settle down around him as he made his moves. Gibson however plays the character Parker from Donald E. Westlake's novels cold. As the ruthless and cold blooded Porter he scours the city seeking out his money. During a deal gone wrong his partner shoots him, takes off with his wife, and then gives the money to the outfit. As part of a coke deal he wasted Henry plays Val well and to the point but he sticks around for to long as trying to be colder and harder then the Mal in the novel. What makes this movie shine is performances by Coburn, Kirstoffson, Paymer, and Devane they are all cut throat seeking for a way out. Coburn and Kristoffoson give turns as the two premier crime bosses trying to stiff out Porter. While Paymer plays a greedy cab owner and Devane plays the boss of the hitmen. Well put together and directed this changes the themes and tones to fit well with todays standard story lines. Not a standard however is that Porter shoots people a change from Marvin's side line. I'm all ready rooting for the bad guy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the man just wants to get his money back
Review: Grimy, violent, funny, smoke-filled tribute to bad guys from vintage movies, this film features another captivating performance by Mel Gibson, in a radically different role for him, an entertaining story, a distinct finger-snapping musical score, and an overall fun guy-time at the movies! Will women like this film? Not sure. I guess it would depend on their particular taste in film, but I trust that most raw-meat-eating-cigarette-butt-smoking-cops-and-robbers-loving fellas are gonna dig on this movie like they do a double-cheeseburger with bacon, mayo and spit after a few days of nutritional abstinence. I liked this movie because it was simple-- the man just wants to get his money back, violent-- a few tense moments are sprinkled around this movie, and quite humorous-many chuckles were heard during the film's funnier twinklings

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Delightful and perverse experience!
Review: Payback is a gritty, intense and slow-paced action movie. Mel Gibson plays Porter, a guy who will stop at nothing for his payback. The plot just seemed to get better and better with more twists as the movie progressed. Mel Gibson is great as the ruthless Porter, but equally worthy of mention are William Devane's performance as Carter, the crime boss, and Lucy Liu as a dominatrix. Incredible as the acting may be, the action scenes are very well done. The movie is of a very old style. Blue tint throughout the film with a classic soundtrack. You really have to be in the mood for this one. Overall, Payback is a very good movie, enjoyable and well worth watching.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: excellent
Review: Mel gibson is so cool in this movie. anyway,every thing is so good, ending song, nobody is good too.
don't miss this movie,you never regret.


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