Paycheck

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I was really disappointed. Started off with a neat plot they could have done a lot with, and degraded into another "Bad guys shoot a lot and miss every time-obligatory chase scene" flick. Basically, I thought it sucked. Luckily I was seeing it bargain matinee, or I'd have really felt cheated.
 
I'd agree. went into the movie with high expectations and walked out thinking...***. Seeing movies requires suspension of disbelief but that movie was absurd.

atek3`
 
Could have been a lot better. Here's how:

1-More realistic gunfights. The movie portrayed funky physics.
2-Take Ben Affleck out behind the toolshed and beat him with an axe handle.
3-Repeat step 2.
4-Repeat step 2 again.
5-Hire a better actor than Ben Affleck. You could probably find any number of no-names that are more talented and would work for a lot less.
6-Repeat step 2 once more, just for good measure.
 
definitely don't waste your money on seeing it in the theater, if you know anything about guns, driving, or physics, you'll be disappointed.
 
1-More realistic gunfights. The movie portrayed funky physics.
Waitaminutehere...You're going to a John Woo flick and expecting there to be realistic gunfighting?

When has John Woo ever filmed a gunfight that is the least bit realistic?

I mean, c'mon! When it comes to the over-stylized hyperkinetic cinema gunfight, Woo wrote the friggin' book!

Hard Boiled, A Better Tomorrow Pt. 1, The Killer, Bullet In The Head, Once A Thief, Face/Off, Broken Arrow, M:I2, these should have all been a clue that the gun handling in Paycheck might just be a wee bit over stylized. ;)

Going to a John Woo movie and expecting realistic gunfighting is like going to Waffle House and expecting healthy food.

FWIW, I agree with you about Ben Affleck.
 
Seeing movies requires suspension of disbelief but that movie was absurd.

i haven't seen it yet but you need to remember that the short story it is "based" on is fairly absurd in itself.
 
Yup, gun handling was bad, as were the physics. But I went in with low expectations (I like Philip Dick, and thought the short story was great) since Woo was the director. I came out thinking despite its flaws, Woo did a pretty good job of sticking to the feel of the short story. So contrary to most opinions posted thus far, I kind of liked it.

Critical review: Pretty bad.
Personal take: I enjoyed it ... a whole lot more than Matrix Reloaded.
 
John Woo's movies from Hong Kong were amazing.

He should go back.
Relearn what he has forgotten.
And then come back with something epic.

Ben "Gigli" Aflack and you guys had "High Expectations"? Did you see Pearl Harbor?
 
I have to say that I agree with you guys. I saw it and believe that it was one of the worst movies that I have seen. The whole movie is about future prediction and when I left the movie theatre I was beginning to be able to see a little of the future myself. I predict that Ben's career is coming to an end.

Trimation
 
Yeah, the movie sucked pretty well. But did you guys see that 1911 the head badguy used in the end?! Oh, was that thing sweet.

I think that's the first time I've ever seen a 1911 in a movie have lightening cuts in the slide. Do you think it was polished stainless or chromed? Any ideas on the maker? Was that an 8-port comp on the front?

That was the only good thing about the movie.
 
At first I thought it was a Kimber CDP, but later I could see that it was a customized Springfield Armory. Could very easily read the text and logo on the slide during one of the scenes.

Lots of Berettas in the movie. Seems like all John Woo movies have lots of Berettas. Also saw some Glocks. I think that was a Glock that either jammed or was empty that Mr. Jennings picked up during the last part of the movie.

Overall the movie was average. I did enjoy the motorcycle chase scene, but that was really about it.
 
Completely OT: I just saw eqilibrium (I know i must have screwed up on that spelling); and was suprised I had never even heard of it, good flick.

Slightly less OT: Just saw Dare Devil, and I swear to him-on-earth I will never punish myself with another Aflack film again. :barf:
 
In the old days they called these "B" movies, not a lot of money involved and no award wining performances.

On a scale of 1 to 10 for a "B" movie, I'd give it a 7.5.

Affleck isn't in movies because he is a good actor, it's because he has audience appeal, especially for women.

waterdog
 
:rolleyes: Once bitten, twice shy... I'll never go to the theater to be disappointed by a friggin John Woo movie. For that matter, I'll even change the channel or rent something else to avoid being disappointed by John Woo.

Wes
 
I must be the only one who liked movie. I expected it to be a light and fun Sci-Fi and got exactly what I paid for.

For some reason I can identify with the premise. Not the technology, but the proposition: what would you trade for three years of your life. I liked the clues he setup and how the suspence kept up about how each of them fit in place. I'm not a fan of John Woo but I thought he kept his usual eccentric style to a minimum. There's no excessive gun play and no slow motion crap.

The last half hour was too predictable though. Seems like every action movie these days end with the protaganists trying to blow something up. This movie is in good company with "Total Recall" and "The Sixth Day".

If you're looking to avoid the gritty academy award contestants "Paycheck" is a good escape film.
 
Once bitten, twice shy... I'll never go to the theater to be disappointed by a friggin John Woo movie. For that matter, I'll even change the channel or rent something else to avoid being disappointed by John Woo.

Have you ever seen his Hong Kong movies or only the US ones?
 
I thought I was going to like the film. I enjoy John Woo films for the most part. This one irked me though. You have a rifle and you are fighting for your life and instead of stepping back and shooting you hit the bad guy with it. At least shoot him after you hit him. Another thing - wouldnt one expect a fortune 500 company having data backed up offsite somewhere? Just because the main guy wont work on the project does not mean others cant make it work with that data. Oh and his fighting with a staff sucked.

Mark
 
Have you ever seen his Hong Kong movies or only the US ones?

I've only ever seen the US ones. I've heard the Hong Kong ones are better, but you know, the US ones I've seen are soooo grating on me that I've been pretty hesitant to see the Hong Kong ones.

Are they better?

Wes
 
Yes. The US movies try to have a veneer of seriousness, humanity, and all the other moral and touchey feeley crap that Western cinema has. Like they're trying to teach you life lessons with cinema and become in touch with your inner self.

The Hong Kong movies are like Itchy and Scratchy with Chinese people and Berettas :D
 
The Hong Kong movies are like Itchy and Scratchy with Chinese people and Berettas


LOL!

Luckily it was just water, and I managed to spew away from the PC...

Looks like the First Philip K. Dick novella/seed concept to become a true stinker. :( Even "Impostor" which went nowhere box-office wise, was at least centered a halfway decent plot twist and the nature of identity and when your world breaks down, because you aren't "you" anymore.

Verhoven or Ridley Scott should handle all the Philip K. Dick properties IMO.

I can't help but get the feeling that with MI:2 and now Paycheck, Woo is trying too hard to become a "Real American Director" and not just being "John Woo" which is a treasure in of itself.
 
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