Lost in translation

Nov 12 2008 Pierce Hunt, Surrey Herald

Max Payne, one of the most beloved releases in the Rockstar Games' portfolio makes the difficult leap from fanboyfavourite to the big screen.

So attention to detail and thorough knowledge and research would appear paramount in maintaining the game's definitive narrative and dark aesthetics, but what is bewildering is the fact that Mark Wahlberg, who takes on the lead role of Max, refused to play the game before filming began.

Although his decision not to immerse himself in the game has done little to harm his performance as he plays the emotionally charged Max Payne brilliantly.

In the game Max is pushed to his physical and mental limits and embarks on a crusade of revenge. Mixed with vivid dream sequences he is followed taking on different characters in much-loved, all-guns -blazing, over-the-top battles.

You shouldn't expect the film to follow the game's premise from scene to scene, but by taking away the action, the heart of the story is ripped out. The amazing scenery, mixed with the everfalling snow storms, fade into insignificance as the action scenes are so few and far between. The Hong Kong action movie maestro John Woo's influence in the high-octane fight scenes from the game is non-existent in the film.

The film does use the bullet time sequence (influenced by The Matrix), but it nowhere near matches the full-on intensity it should reach.

For whatever reason, director John Moore's vision has turned out to be a big disappointment, which will fail to satisfy fans of Max Payne and make the rest of the cinema-going public feel ripped off at being sold the story as an action flick when it really isn't.

4/10