Review of Payback (1999) by Harry W — 19 Jun 2013

In the opening credits of Payback in the scene where Mel Gibson takes money from a con grifter, I looked at the tv screen, nodded and monotonously said "Badass.".

I also Appreciate how in film introduction, we immediatly get insult into Porter's mind and how he functions, as well as a good touch with the narration.

That's the high point of the film, the character development Mel Gibson has put into his character to perfect him, and the result is awesome. Mel Gibson keeps the story rolling and the bullets flying. He is perfect for the role, and he is more developed than he would have needed to be in an action film where the main theme is, as the title would have revealed, Payback. It becomes quickly apparent that Porter is a character who steals his way through life confidently without a second thought, and that way the story doesn't leave the audience to merely expect that but rather delivers it. One of the things Mel Gibson does best is kick ass as an action star, and in a simple action thriller with noir concepts entitled Payback, he delivers the goods.

Also, Kris Kristofferson provides a strong and intimidatingly villainous role which is one of his better and more notable ones in recent years, and he makes a good antagonist against Mel Gibson.

Lucy Liu was also badass in one of her earlier roles and displayed the dominance and sex appeal that later made her a major star.

And the action is sufficient and well shot, and the brutality in it isn't excessive but seems to reach the fine line where it's realistic but bereft of shocks.

Lastly, the atmosphere is great since Payback embodies a greatly Neo-noir atmosphere which makes the flow of the story significantly more gritty and sophisticated than it would need to be to pass for the calibre it reaches. Payback is valid as an action-thriller with elements of a Neo-noir which mix in well with modern themes, and that's what makes it entertaining. The soundtrack is also good.

Although Payback does have issues alongside it, predominantly the formulaic formula and the small amount of action against what would be expected from a film entitled Payback which leaves the audience somewhat unsatisfied in parts.

Also, the characters in Payback have strange relationships and so if a character isn't not one that clearly hates another, then what they actually are is fairly ambiguous. But everyone just ends up seeming like an asshole which is probably the most believable plotline.

Lastly, there are moments in Payback where dynamics are confusing or nothing is going on and essentially the on-screen antics are blank and not entertaining, and they tend to drag on a bit in the running time, even though it isn't long. I just think many of the scenes could have used action to keep the audience entertained but were bereft of it.

But nevertheless, I enjoyed Payback mainly due to Mel Gibson's performance and the general entertainment from it.