Preview: Max Payne (2008)

• Poster: C; C

Review:

Stylized like the trailer, but a bit too overbearing. There's a certain artistic quality, but one that could have been done reasonbly well for another film with the necessary imagery.

Not too much more interesting that the first poster released, but at least it's better able to identify Mark Wahlberg as the star. However, the rather bland layout and the miniscule detail in the background aren't terribly effective.

• Trailer: B+; B

Review:

After being burned by movies like Sin City and 300, I'm a little reticent to embrace this film which uses similar comic-book styling to tell the story. However, there's something inherently impressive about the trailer that makes me feel it could be more akin to V for Vendetta than the aforementioned comic disasters.

We got quite a bit more information about the film's plot, at least for those who've never played the video game. It's less heavily stylized than Sin City or 300 when you look a little closer at it, but it also begins to resemble a bizarre cross between Dark City and Constantine which might be an appetizing combination or might be an utter failure depending on which it more closely resembles.

Oscar Prospects:

A late release date could position the film for some Oscar recognition, but the Art Direction, Visual Effects and Cinematography categories already have a plethora of potential nominees.

Release Date:

• October 17, 2008

Full Review Synopsis:

Virtually identical to every other fanboy flick from either the comic book medium or video games, but resembles more a comic book than a video game, upon which it is based.

• Full Review: Max Payne

-Wesley Lovell (August 17, 2008) Original

-Wesley Lovell (August 31, 2008) New Trailer

-Wesley Lovell (November 2, 2008) New Poster; Buy the Poster Enabled