Movie | Max Payne | Pass

Uh oh - another movie made from a video game. That's usually a bad thing, in my book. Let video games be video games and movies be movies, I say! Comic books are different story, though, in case you were wondering (you weren't, I know).

And, while this is certainly not great cinema, it is a decent action flick. Think Dirty Harry, Death Wish, The Punisher, etc., with supernatural overtones (explained in the movie, but not for me to spoil here). None of which quiiiiiiiiiite has the impact of an exceptional movie such as Taxi Driver.

Marky Mark Markster Marko Markinsky Wahlberg is a cop who is devistated when his wife and baby are murdered. He's got nothing left to live for...he's a loose cannon! I just love saying that - he's a loose cannon! So much that I wrote it twice.

It's been 3 years and he's still looking for the murder (he shot and killed a couple, but one got away). Let's ignore the fact that he's a COP. It's possible and believable that he can't track down the killer. And let's ignore the fact that no police department in the world would allow him to keep working if he displayed the obvious psychological break that he's suffered.

People are starting to see devils everywhere. Literally. Black angels that swoop down and tear you to shreds. Meanwhile, there's a drug on the street that is somehow tied to it all. There's more plot than that, but that's all you really need to know. There are some cool slo-mo shots and lots of explosions. The acting is decent (which is not always the case with Wahlberg) and the cinematography stylish.

Boring soundtrack and a missed opportunity, there.

A couple of criticisms and thoughts. One, the exterior shots keep fluctuating back and forth between pouring rains and falling snow. Well? Which one is it?!? Is it snowing or is it raining? If it's cold enough for snow, why is it raining? Two, if you start really analyzing the plot, well, you'll want to look past that and try to just put your "This is a movie and it's make believe" cap (especially the end and the other ending - see the movie to figure out what I'm talking about). Three, I saw the unrated version. It's interesting that they made the theatrical release conform to a PG-13. While I would never want a 13 year old to see this movie (too violent and the themes too dark), that was an fascinating choice. I enjoyed the lack of real gore and truly nasty violence. While the unrated version is not significantly different, from the detailed comparison that I read, it's worth seeing in that format, I think.

One thumb up for this dark, mostly slow paced action romp and a Pass.