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PAYBACK Send This Review to a Friend
The point about this tough, violent action flick starring Mel Gibson is that it
delivers expertly for the audience at whom it's aimed. You can judge for yourself what
kind of compliment that is. Based on the novel "The Hunter," the same work that
spawned John Boorman's "Point Blank," this version is mainly Gibson's show.
As a vengeful guy named Porter, he is tough and determined in his quest to recover
the money that he stole and was cheated out of, no matter how much havoc he must
wreak to get it back and how much punishment he must endure. What's suffering a few
toes hit with a hammer and other bloody physical indignities when principle is at stake?
"Payback," directed in that vein by Brian Helgeland, who co-wrote the screenplay with
Terry Hayes, is set in an unnamed film noirish city. The story is peopled by oddball
types, whether femme fatales, vicious criminals, corrupt cops or hookers. Lucy Alexis
Liu as Pearl the dominatrix is comically vicious. Kris Kristofferson plays a gang boss and
James Coburn makes an uncredited appearance as another mobster.
Moviegoers who enjoy watching an unregenerate tough guy brutally settle the score
can depend on "Payback" Others needn't bother. A Paramount release.
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