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'''''Max Payne''''' is a [[2008 in film|2008]] [[Cinema of the United States|American]] [[Film noir|noir]] [[action film]] based on the 2001 [[Max Payne|video game of the same name]]. The film was directed by [[John Moore (director)|John Moore]] and stars [[Mark Wahlberg]] in the title role. The film centers on a cop's journey through New York City's criminal underworld as he investigates the deaths of his wife and child. ''Max Payne'' was released on October 16, 2008 in [[Australia]],<ref name="imdb">{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467197/ | title=Max Payne (2008) | work=imdb.com | publisher=imdb.com, L.P | accessdate=2008-10-12 }}</ref> one day prior to the [[United States]] release date.<ref name="coming">{{cite web | url=http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=39218 | title=Max Payne | work=ComingSoon.net | publisher=Coming Soon Media, L.P | accessdate=2008-07-14 }}</ref>
'''''Max Payne''''' is a [[2008 in film|2008]] [[Cinema of the United States|American]] [[Film noir|noir]] [[action film]] based on the 2001 [[Max Payne|video game of the same name]]. The film was directed by [[John Moore (director)|John Moore]] and stars [[Mark Wahlberg]] in the title role. The film centers on a cop's journey through New York City's criminal underworld as he investigates the deaths of his wife and child. ''Max Payne'' was released on October 16, 2008 in [[Australia]],<ref name="imdb">{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467197/ | title=Max Payne (2008) | work=imdb.com | publisher=imdb.com, L.P | accessdate=2008-10-12 }}</ref> one day prior to the [[United States]] release date.<ref name="coming">{{cite web | url=http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=39218 | title=Max Payne | work=ComingSoon.net | publisher=Coming Soon Media, L.P | accessdate=2008-07-14 }}</ref>


==Plot==
BAD MOVIE
In New York City, detective Max Payne is a 3 year veteran in the [[Cold case|Cold Case]] unit. He is consumed with investigating and finding the murderer of his wife, Michelle (Marianthi Evans) and infant son. Trevor ([[Andrew Friedman]]), Max's snitch, supplies him with information that leads him to three drug addicts in an empty train station. They attempt to hold up Max in a bathroom; instead Max interrogates one of them about his family’s murder, with no results. Next he visits Trevor's apartment where Natasha Sax ([[Olga Kurylenko]]) takes an interest in him. Natasha and her sister Mona Sax ([[Mila Kunis]]) get into an argument and Natasha disappears. Max goes looking for her near a back room where people are using the drug "Valkyr" and is silently confronted by Jack Lupino ([[Amaury Nolasco]]), but Natasha takes him away. Max noticed Natasha’s tattoos and wants information so he invites her back to his apartment. However, after Natasha tries to seduce him and makes insensitive comments about his wife, Max kicks her out.
In New York City, detective Max Payne is a 3 year veteran in the [[Cold case|Cold Case]] unit. He is consumed with investigating and finding the murderer of his wife, Michelle (Marianthi Evans) and infant son. Trevor ([[Andrew Friedman]]), Max's snitch, supplies him with information that leads him to three drug addicts in an empty train station. They attempt to hold up Max in a bathroom; instead Max interrogates one of them about his family’s murder, with no results. Next he visits Trevor's apartment where Natasha Sax ([[Olga Kurylenko]]) takes an interest in him. Natasha and her sister Mona Sax ([[Mila Kunis]]) get into an argument and Natasha disappears. Max goes looking for her near a back room where people are using the drug "Valkyr" and is silently confronted by Jack Lupino ([[Amaury Nolasco]]), but Natasha takes him away. Max noticed Natasha’s tattoos and wants information so he invites her back to his apartment. However, after Natasha tries to seduce him and makes insensitive comments about his wife, Max kicks her out.


Revision as of 11:25, 8 March 2009

Max Payne
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn Moore
Written byScreenplay:
Beau Thorne
Characters:
Sam Lake
Produced byJohn Moore
Scott Faye
Julie Yorn
StarringMark Wahlberg
Mila Kunis
Beau Bridges
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
CinematographyJonathan Sela
Edited byDan Zimmerman
Music byMarco Beltrami
Buck J. Sanders
Metsuo[1]
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release dates
Australia:
October 16, 2008
North America:
October 17, 2008
United Kingdom:
November 14, 2008
Running time
100 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35,000,000
Box office$85,366,393[2]

Max Payne is a 2008 American noir action film based on the 2001 video game of the same name. The film was directed by John Moore and stars Mark Wahlberg in the title role. The film centers on a cop's journey through New York City's criminal underworld as he investigates the deaths of his wife and child. Max Payne was released on October 16, 2008 in Australia,[3] one day prior to the United States release date.[4]

Plot

In New York City, detective Max Payne is a 3 year veteran in the Cold Case unit. He is consumed with investigating and finding the murderer of his wife, Michelle (Marianthi Evans) and infant son. Trevor (Andrew Friedman), Max's snitch, supplies him with information that leads him to three drug addicts in an empty train station. They attempt to hold up Max in a bathroom; instead Max interrogates one of them about his family’s murder, with no results. Next he visits Trevor's apartment where Natasha Sax (Olga Kurylenko) takes an interest in him. Natasha and her sister Mona Sax (Mila Kunis) get into an argument and Natasha disappears. Max goes looking for her near a back room where people are using the drug "Valkyr" and is silently confronted by Jack Lupino (Amaury Nolasco), but Natasha takes him away. Max noticed Natasha’s tattoos and wants information so he invites her back to his apartment. However, after Natasha tries to seduce him and makes insensitive comments about his wife, Max kicks her out.

A high speed camera was used to create a bullet time effect for this shot

The next morning Natasha turns up dead with Max's wallet at the crime scene. Max becomes the prime suspect with his old partner Alex Balder (Donal Logue) on the case. Alone in his office, Alex notices the tattoo on Natasha's arm is similar to one found in the case file of Max's wife. Alex tries to contact Max, but with no luck he quickly leaves for Max's apartment. Max arrives to find the door is ajar and his place a mess with Alex dead inside. Someone attacks Max and knocks him unconscious.

Max wakes up in a hospital beside his father's partner and close friend of the family, BB Hensley (Beau Bridges). Max decides to pay his respects to Alex but is kicked out by his angry wife, Christa (Nelly Furtado). While being questioned by Lieutenant Jim Bravura (Ludacris) of Internal Affairs, Max storms out and searches Alex's desk, finding Owen Green's name in Natasha's case file. Later, Max is confronted by Mona who assumes Max killed her sister but is persuaded to team up with Max and find the true killer. Max and Mona find Owen Green but can't save him as he falls out of the building to his death.

Max and Mona visit Natasha's tattoo parlor. The tattoo artist tells them Natasha’s tattoo represents the wings of a Valkyrie which in Norse mythology is for protection in battle. Max takes some of Michelle's belongings out of storage and comes across documents from the Aesir Corporation, the company she worked for. Taking some of the Aesir documents Max meets BB at a diner and demands the name of Michelle's old supervisor, Jason Colvin (Chris O'Donnell).

After interrogating Jason, Max learns that Michelle's death had something to do with a government contract to create super soldiers. Few subjects showed results from the addictive drug while the remaining went insane, thus shutting down the project. Jason agrees to testify for protection, but as they try to escape a group NYPD officers, presumably corrupt, kill Jason. Max escapes the gunfight and shows the video to Mona at her place. It explains the Valkyr project with a testimonial by Jack Lupino where he explains that on the drug he feels invincible with no side effects. Max goes to Jack's hideout, Ragna Rok, and is losing to Jack when BB arrives and kills Jack. While escaping Max is knocked unconscious.

BB tells Max that he is selling Valkyr and that he killed Michelle and her baby because she inadvertently came across documents that incriminated him. He plans to drown Max in the river with Valkyr in his pocket, hoping to make it look like a drug-induced suicide. Max escapes before he can be tied to the weight, and jumps into the icy river to avoid being shot. He swims to shore and to prevent hypothermia consumes both vials of Valkyr, transforming into a super soldier with visions of Valkyries. Max follows BB back to the Aesir building and confronts him on the building's heliport where he shoots BB dead and then is surrounded by the police.

After the film credits Max is shown arriving at a bar where he meets with Mona. She shows him a newspaper article about Aesir's stock prices rising, next to a photo of Aesir CEO Nicole Horne (Kate Burton).

Cast

  • Mark Wahlberg as Max Payne: An NYPD cop that is out for revenge against his family's killer. When Wahlberg first read the script he thought it was "awesome" but was wary after finding out it was based on a video game.[5] While describing his role, Wahlberg has said, "It's probably one of the edgier roles I've played but also the most layered. Here's a very happy guy who worked a dismal job, had a beautiful family. But the beauty in his life was taken away. He just goes on a rampage. It's all driven by emotion."[6]
  • Beau Bridges as BB Hensley: Max Payne's father's former partner, since retired. Bridges had never heard of the game but since his children were excited to learn about his role they convinced him it would be a big movie.[7]
  • Mila Kunis as Mona Sax: A Russian assassin who seeks revenge for the murder of her sister. Kunis had played the video game before reading the script but didn't progress very far into it.[8] Kunis's favorite part in preparing for the role was weapons training and safety which included disassembling and rebuilding an MP5K blindfolded.[7]
  • Chris "Ludacris" Bridges as Jim Bravura: an internal affairs lieutenant who is investigating Max. The role was originally written for a 60 year old man but after auditioning, Bridges got the call from Moore and had the part.[7]
  • Chris O'Donnell as Jason Colvin, an executive for Aesir and Nicole Horne's "right-hand man".
  • Nelly Furtado as Christa Balder, wife of Alex Balder.
  • Kate Burton as Nicole Horne, CEO of Aesir Corporation.
  • Donal Logue as Alex Balder, Max Payne's former partner.
  • Amaury Nolasco as Jack Lupino, the primary antagonist, Former Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps where he became a Valkyr test subject.
  • Olga Kurylenko as Natasha Sax, Mona's sister.
  • Marianthi Evans as Michelle Payne, Max Payne's late wife.

Production

The 2001 video game Max Payne was optioned by the production company Collision Entertainment to produce a live-action film adaptation. By April 2002, distributors Dimension Films and Abandon Entertainment were attached to the project. Shawn Ryan, the creator of the television series The Shield, was hired to write a script for the planned film.[9] By June 2005, without production starting, Collision Entertainment had taken the project to 20th Century Fox.[10] In November 2007, with a script written by Beau Thorne, Fox announced John Moore as the director and Mark Wahlberg as the star in the titular role.[11]

In pre-production it took eight weeks to build the set for the Aesir Headquarters and after that it took another week for the special effects team to install the squibs.[12]

Filming began in Toronto on March 2, 2008 and wrapped by May 9, 2008.[13] Shooting the film in 35mm 3-perf,[14] several different areas around Toronto were used multiple locations in the movie. It took a full week to shoot just the final gunfight inside the Aesier Headquarters using over 6,000 squibs.[12]


Natasha trying to seduce Max

In order to recreate the bullet time used in the games Moore decided to use Vision Research’s Phantom HD Camera.[15][12] The camera takes many frames per second (using high speed photography) and when played back gives the illusion of slow motion.

Puppets were used for the Valkyrie to limit CG in the film.[12]

During the 15 weeks of post-production the Valkyries were further developed by UK company Spin. Using Maya, 3DS Max, and ZBrush they were able to create the Valkyries and have control over their wings. The artists sometimes had full control over each individual feather. They had to overcome difficulty with the darkness of the film, it made it more difficult to track. Spin also handled atmospheric CG and the CG matte backdrops elements.[16]

Rating

Though filmed with the intention of receiving a PG-13 rating, Max Payne received an unofficial R rating by the MPAA on September 5 2008, which resulted in a backlash from Moore. He declared that "The Motion Picture Association of America gave The Dark Knight a PG-13 rating and basically sucked Warner Bros.' cock." He further clarified the statement by saying The Dark Knight was "gnarly" for a PG-13 rating and now everyone was looking for the same leniency. The MPAA was judging Max Payne by intent while they were supposed to be judging it by content.[17]

On September 22, 2008, a trailer confirmed a PG-13 rating, "for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality, and brief strong language." [18] Director John Moore confirmed in an interview with GameDaily's John Gaudiosi that the film was awarded the PG-13 rating without any major changes being made to the film. Describing the re-editing process Moore stated, "We trimmed some frames more for the sake of trimming frames than anything, but we got the rating without any major changes at all."[19]

File:Maxpaynescreen3.png
The set of Max Payne in Toronto

The film is rated PG-13 in the United States, a departure from the M-rated video game series. Mila Kunis said of the tone-down, "It's incredibly dark. You still get the gist of it. The only difference between R-rated and PG-13 is you might not see as much blood. You might not see blood squirting everywhere, but as far as the sadness and the darkness of it and the distraught [nature] of these human beings is very much captured in the film."[20]

The film was given the 15 rating in the United Kingdom, for "strong violence"[21] and MA 15+ in Australia for "Frequent violence and drug use".[22]

Release

Critical reception

The film has received numerous negative reviews, with an 18% "rotten" rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 117 reviews, and a consensus opinion that "While it boasts some stylish action, Max Payne suffers severely from an illogical plot and overdirection."[23] Another review aggretator, Metacritic, gave the film a 35/100 approval rating based on 25 reviews falling under the "generally negative reviews" category. [24]

Louise Keller said "the most striking element is the production design..."[25] Bruce Paterson wrote for the Australian Film Critics Association and Cinephilia that "Mark Wahlberg is terrific in hard-bitten roles", but in a reference to the Valkyries concluded "it could have done with more of the Norse and less of the force."[26][27] Critic Armond White has defended the film stating that Moore "explores genuine, contemporary anxiety [and that] his images are richer than his plots."[28]

On IGN Jim Vejvoda said, "It also doesn't help that Wahlberg gives a drab performance..." and "The rest of the cast doesn't fare much better." He stated that gamers will be disappointed when comparing it to the game and even as a revenge film there is not much here.[29] Despite this mediocre review IGN went on to give Max Payne the "Best Videogame Adaptation" award of 2008, noting "This is how sad games-to-film have become that the only one worthy of being named the "best" of the year is a movie that we panned."[30]

One of the harshest critics of the film was 3D Realms CEO Scott Miller, one of the game's producers, who cited fundamental story flaws "that have me shaking my head in bewilderment," [31] including the game's opening scenes being instead placed in the middle of the film. After the film's #1 opening weekend, however, he retracted his comments, saying that he was now "proud of the film," and that "This kind of opening brings us a lot closer to the reality of a sequel," to the long-stalled video game franchise. [32]

Above: Unrated. Below: PG-13. As seen on the DVD Moore had to remove some of the blood to get a PG-13 rating

Despite negative reviews from critics, Max Payne opened #1 in the box office with $17,639,849 on its first weekend.[33] As of February 2009, the film has grossed $40,689,393 domestically and $44,677,000 internationally making $85,366,393 worldwide. While it is not considered an overwhelming success, its U.S. gross was around the same range as other video game adaptions such as Hitman, Silent Hill, and Resident Evil. Its international gross was lower than both Silent Hill and Hitman, and significantly lower than that of the three live action Resident Evil films released to date.[34] The film also ranks ninth in U.S. box-office gross revenues for video game adaptions.[35]

Home media

The movie was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on January 20, 2009. All versions contain the theatrical and the uncut versions of the film, and the Blu-Ray and the 2-disc DVD contain the "Michelle Payne Animated Graphic Novel" as well as a digital copy of the film. The uncut version features only 3 minutes of additional footage compared to the theatrical release; the most notable difference is the extra CGI blood. The Blu-ray release received a score of 7 out of 10 on IGN, being described as "a first-rate transfer that manages to show off the range of the high-definition format with few, if any, real weaknesses.[36]

References

  1. ^ "METSUO RECORDS MUSIC FOR NEW 20th CENTURY FOX FILM "MAX PAYNE" - UNSIGNED BRITISH ELECTRONIC BAND BREAKS INTO HOLLYWOOD". EMediaWorld. October 7th, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Max Payne (2008)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  3. ^ "Max Payne (2008)". imdb.com. imdb.com, L.P. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
  4. ^ "Max Payne". ComingSoon.net. Coming Soon Media, L.P. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  5. ^ Cortez, Carl (July 25, 2008). "Day 1 - Comic-Con - July 24, 2008: MARK WAHLBERG HAS NO AVERSION TO 'PAYNE'". iFMagazine. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  6. ^ Adler, Shawn (2008-06-17). "Mark Wahlberg Calls Max Payne The Most Complex Character He's Ever Played". MTV Movies Blog. MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  7. ^ a b c Murray, Rebecca. "Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Chris Bridges, and Beau Bridges Talk "Max Payne"". About.com. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  8. ^ Strauss, Bob (October 20th, 2008), "Mila Kunis leaps into action for 'Max Payne'", Oakland Tribune, retrieved 2009-02-02 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Brodesser, Claude (2002-04-18). "Ryan takes game to 'Max'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  10. ^ Gaudiosi, John (2005-06-27). "Fox feels game 'Payne'". The Hollywood Reporter. Nielsen Company. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  11. ^ Fleming, Michael (2007-11-08). "Mark Wahlberg to star in 'Max'". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  12. ^ a b c d "Production Notes". SeattlePi. 20st Century Fox. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  13. ^ "Max Payne Filming Soon". IGN. News Corporation. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  14. ^ Kaufman, Debra (October 28, 2008). "Amped-Up HD Editorial for Max Payne". Studio Daily. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  15. ^ Feldman, Randy (October 22nd, 2008). "Vision Research's Phantom HD Camera used in the Making of Max Payne". Retrieved 2008-12-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Wright, Lynn (December 15, 2008). "Spin adds CG magic to Max Payne". Digital Arts Online. Archived from the original on 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  17. ^ Gaudiosi, John (September 05, 2008). "Max Payne Director John Moore Just A Tad Pissed With Film Ratings Board". Das Gamer. Retrieved 2009-02-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Brevet, Brad (2008-10-01). "Latest MPAA Ratings: #124". RopeofSilicone. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  19. ^ Gaudiosi, John. "Max Payne Director Wins Battle with MPAA, Gains PG-13 Rating". GameDaily. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  20. ^ Otto, Jeff. "Exclusive Max Payne Talk with Mila Kunis". ReelzChannel.com. ReelzChannel. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  21. ^ "Max Payne receives 15 rating by BBFC; film just under 100 minutes long". RockstarWatch. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  22. ^ "Max Payne Movie Rated MA in Australia". RockstarWatch. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  23. ^ "Max Payne Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  24. ^ "Max Payne (2008):Reviews". Metacritic. 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
  25. ^ "Max Payne". Urban Cinefile. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  26. ^ "Max Payne". Australian Film Critics Association. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  27. ^ "The Big Screen". Cinephilia. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  28. ^ White, Armond (2008-11-21). "Max Payne: John Moore's style makes the video game adaptation a success", New York Press. Retrieved on 2008-11-22.
  29. ^ Jim Vejvoda (October 17, 2008). "Max Payne Review". IGN.com. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  30. ^ "Best Videogame Adaptation". IGN.com. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  31. ^ Ashrafi, Rajiv (October 21, 2008). "Max Payne Game Producer Hates Film". Digital Battle.
  32. ^ Ashrafi, Rajiv (October 23, 2008). "Max Payne Producer Now Likes Film". Digital Battle.
  33. ^ "Weekend Box Office Results from December 28, 2008". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  34. ^ "Box Office History for Resident Evil Movies". The Numbers. Retrieved 2009-1-17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  35. ^ "Top Grossing Video Game Adaptations".
  36. ^ Monfette, Christopher (January 23, 2009). "Max Payne Blu-ray Review". IGN. Retrieved 2009-02-02.

Template:Box Office Leaders USA

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