We all know that generally speaking, films based on video games suck. It’s a very broad and general statement but for the most part, the truth hence, I wasn’t expecting much from the upcoming video game adaptation Max Payne.
Starring Mark Wahlberg in the title role, the film has a pretty sweet lineup including Beau Bridges, Mila Kunis and a guy whose career was nearly killed by another superhero movie, Chris O’Donnell. The project is being directed by John Moore whose name I didn’t recognize but, looking at his filmography, I’ve seen and enjoyed most of his films including last year’s underrated The Omen, the 2004 remake of Flight of the Phoenix which didn’t match the greatness of the original but which was great in its own way, and Behind Enemy Lines. Pretty good track record in my books.
People are saying this is the movie they had expected from Hitman (our review). I can’t really comment on that because I thoroughly enjoyed Hitman but I am impressed by the look of this trailer. Having never played the game, I’m not sure if the noir aspects are part of the original story but I do love the way this looks not to mention, they seem to be taking this down the ultra serious route which could work to the film’s benefit or, on the flip side, could kill it. I like what I see and am willing to find out for myself.
Max Payne is scheduled to open on October 17th.
Trailer is tucked under the seat!
Looks like it’s taking a step in the right direction. Mark Wahlberg has been on fire with his last few projects. And I definitely with you on ‘Hitman’, Marina. It was a faithful adaptation and a supremely entertaining and, at times, smart movie… adaptation of a video game, of course.
Hitman was boring. I beat the first Max Payne game back in my video game days and I think this looks pretty faithful to the style of the game. But I don’t think it looks like a terribly good movie. We shall see I suppose.
I was thrilled about this way back when it was first announced; I always thought the game had incredible cinematic potential.
But mediocre directors are kryptonite to cinematic potential.
This looks decent, but post-The Dark Knight I don’t know if decent will cut it anymore.
PS – The game is defintely noir-ish. A little bit like playing the game version of the Marv segment of Sin City.
Thanks for the updates on the look of the film vs. game – I wasn’t sure if that was original or if Moore had added that. And I wouldn’t say that Moore is a mediocre director – he’s been solid and though the “Flight of the Phoenix” remake didn’t blow any brains, it was entertaining and well put together – especially considering it’s a movie about people talking. Very little action in that one.
I’m looking forward to this and hoping for the best.
Marina–
FOTP was easily his best work, sure. My point was simply that if we can’t term the director of Behind Enemy Lines and The Omen remake mediocre, hasn’t the word lost all meaning?
I don’t think mediocre has lost all meaning and I don’t agree that FOTP is Moore’s best. I really dug “The Omen”.
The trailer actually surprised me in that I liked it. As long as they keep the noir aspects high, I’m in. Looks like what a Punisher trailer should have been (without the supernatural aspects of course). I wasn’t sold on Mark Wahlberg in this role when I first heard of it, but he looks like he’ll pull it off. Looks like he’s putting those gun handling skills he learned in The Big Hit to good use