“Max Payne” — A Filmcritic Review

Director: John Moore
Producer: Scott Faye, John Moore, Julie Yorn
Screenwriter: Beau Thorne
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Chris O’Donnell, Donal Logue, Amaury Nolasco
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Filmcritic Rating = 2.5 out of 5 Stars

To paraphrase comedian/pundit Bill Maher, “New rule! Motion picture adaptations of successful video games must at least be as exciting and inventive as the product they are based on.” Of course, Hollywood violates this mandate almost every time they take a game title and turn it into a film. With very few exceptions, the translation doesn’t work.

The latest victim of this mindless media reimaging is Max Payne. While avoiding much of what made the bullet-time-dependent third person shooter a hit, it tries to turn its tale of a haunted policeman desperate for vengeance into something otherworldly and epic. Until the oddball finish, it’s just a lot of slo-mo stiffness.

Three years ago, Max Payne (Mark Wahlberg) was a cop. But after a trio of junkies killed his wife and child, he went a little nuts. Now, he spends his days digging through cold case files, and his nights tracking down unsuccessful leads.

Read Bill Gibron’s full review HERE.
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