The best adaption of a Parker novel so far (although he is called "Porter" here) and a great Neo-Noir. This is one of Gibson's best roles as he's not playing the same old charming guy, instead being a not so nice guy, particularly for a protagonist. There are two versions of this movie and they are very different with a totally different third act which had a different cast of antagonists. Both versions are great and can be enjoyed as separate movies.
Big fan of this film - both the original and the director's reinstated version.
I prefer this theatrical release for two reasons. A more intricate and action-filled ending. And the coloring of the film in that almost black and white washed-out blue tone. Yet the ending is shot at the Warners backlot and it feels cheaper as a film throughout.
The other version starts perhaps a little weaker. Has a less impressive use of enemies... And uses cheap mechanisms to move the plot along. And I'm not a fan of the hurried ending.
I'll take any versions of the film and it is very interesting to see how an alternate edit and structure can affect a film so much.
8.25/10
Mediocre at best neo-noir/action/drama with surprisingly bloody plot line.
And they may take our lives...but they will NEVER take... our 70k!!!!
Payback is a highly entertaining action thriller worth watching for its cool action scenes, dark humor, stylish visuals and the twisted screenplay. Mel Gibson brilliantly portrays the antihero Porter, and as the tagline predicts, we end up rooting for the bad guy!
Felt like Max Payne the movie.
Who thought Mel Gibson could do a Parker...and well at that.
Payback is a good neo-noir thriller that works well and is entertaining enough throughout the roughly one and three-quarters hours you spend with it.
Though...Some things could have been tweaked to make it even better.
Like...shooting the damn thing in black and white. The filter they used was not bad, but IMO it would have been a lot better in B&W.
Anyway...I wouldn't go out of my way to find Payback. Catch it if it runs on TV or it's on your favourite streaming service.
You know, i like this kind of Action Flicks. Especially Mel Gibson.
But you had seen this kind of movie -also in 1999- a dozen times. And It's strange to say this:
But FightClub, Matrix and Payday are from 1999. And in Terms of Quality and Style they could not have been more different.
Payback is a Movie from 1999 that wants to be like a 80's-Movie with 90's-ActionSequences.
Maybe it's me, but it wasn't enough from me.
An entertaining and sometimes quite brutal action flick featuring Mel Gibson.
Shout by FinFanBlockedParent2019-06-24T10:37:00Z
A mixture of film noir, 70s brutality, 80s cool and 90s action results in a great and very entertaining movie. Easily one of Gibson's better movies and a favorite of mine. Absolutely timeless with a great cast.