Year:
1999
Studio:
Paramount Pictures/Icon Productions
Movie:
3/5
DVD:
1/5
Teaser
Porter is a man on a mission. After being shot twice in the back, by
his wife, having his $70 000 cut of a heist taken from him, being left
for dead and spending five months recuperating, he's back. What he
wants is his $70 000. And to kill his backstabbing former accomplice,
Val Resnick.
Unfortunately, Val is now part of the Syndicate, or the Outfit as they
call themselves now. But if he has to go through hell and back, Porter
is going to get his $70 000. No more, no less. That's what I call a man
of principle, and a man who's more than a little insane. But that's
Porter.
Movie
"Payback" has a 70's anti-hero hard edge to it. It harkens back to the
days of "Deathwish" or "Dirty Harry" with protagonists that weren't all
that nice and yet people could still empathize and agree with them. The
villains are many and varied, from the Outfit to the asian mafia to
crooked cops and small time hoods. His only ally is an old girlfriend,
Rosie. Leaving a trail of death and destruction, I can't help but cheer
him on.
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Actors
Mel Gibson plays Porter, a very straight-shooting and plain man who is
doggedly determined to get his money. Gregg Henry plays Val, Porter's
former partner, a fast-talking sadist ready to turn on anyone if it
suits his purposes. Maria Bello plays Rosie, a prostitute who Porter
used to drive around and protect. She slept with Porter once and then
he left because he couldn't stand what she did.
Veteran actors Kris Kristofferson, William Devane and James Coburn play
various Outfit higher-ups. Lucy Liu has a memorable role as an
extremist S&M Mistress who hangs around Val and has Asian Mafia
connections. David Paymer plays Stegman, a small time hood who's trying
to use Porter to get into the Outfit, because they have "great dental
and health benefits".
DVD
The DVD contains two trailers and a four minute promotional featurette.
Recommendations
It was an ok movie. Very violent and graphic. I'd say watch it. |