Payback

but what's really wrong with this picture is....It careens from coarse comedy to smart-ass stylization to vicious violence without ever becoming convincing on any level.....no-one can believe Porter is doing all this for a measly $140,000, let alone half that amount, which is what Porter stubbornly considers his just share.....Gibson isn't an especially credible Porter --.... ... Full Review

The script for the film is excellent, the movie has a very dark tone to it but there is a lot of humor revolved around it. The movie has a kind of noir touch to it, the narrative and way the plot is told is very artistic, and the film's paper thin plot actually makes the movie better. ... Full Review

So while the script is superb, clever and engaging much of the time, and the film delivers an enormous energy-quotient "The opening sequence is gripping, brilliant filmmaking that establishes the mood of the film and its central character even before the titles are finished. ... Full Review

A bearded Mel Gibson says that although the bizarre absurdist world in Payback would be ideal to shoot in scratchy black and white, they settled for colour with gritty tones. Worth seeing for the production design and mood alone, Payback is a dark horse that makes it to the finish, but is pipped at the post. ... Full Review

The behind-the-scenes story of the production of Payback is more interesting than the final product, no two ways around it. But on a creative level, Payback definitely displayed the marks of a Frankenstein project: the lighter bits felt jarring in contrast to the extremely mean nature of the rest of the film (forget the fact that the characters were pretty damn thin, even for this genre). ... Full Review

the film is great.....Later, as more of their history is revealed, Porter's treatment doesn't seem as harsh upon reflection.....Helgeland's script is streamlined and purposeful..... ... Full Review

The original "Payback" was a great movie, and now with a new release some fans could be a little upset to find out that some things have been changed from the original in the Directors Cut. Visually "Payback" is outstanding. ... Full Review

Its still not a perfect film, and personally I prefer more redeemable characters If thats up your alley or youve seen Payback before, this is worth checking out, if only to determine which version of the story you like better and learn a little more about the politics behind the film and the surprising good nature everyone seems to have about it now. ... Full Review

Even the director admits that Payback was never going to be a masterpiece. For a movie left for dead in the graveyard of cinematic flops, Payback makes an impressive return indeed. ... Full Review

Although nothing spectacular, Payback is good entertainment....Payback is (excuse the pun) a throwback to the gritty crime movies of the 1970s such as the Dirty Harry series and The French Connection .....Payback 's most unique feature is the way it is presented on the screen.....David Paymer is as dependable as ever as the sniveling mob underling who thinks he has more grit than he's got..... ... Full Review