'Payback' - High-Def Digest Review

[jed]

Oh, it's payback time, alright... We just posted Kenneth's review of 'Payback: Straight Up - The Director's Cut,' and it sounds like a quite a good disc. Kenneth was a fan of the theatrical version of 'Payback,' but he also enjoyed this cut (which includes an entirely different third act, and different thematic elements throughout). As a high-def release, this one is quite strong as well, boasting a 4.5 star (out of 5) video rating, a 3.5 rating for audio, and a 4.0 rating for its suite of supplements focusing on the backstory behind this long-awaited alternate cut of the film.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/payback_dc.html

[Nick Lavigne]

This sounds like an excellent disc. However I do not like this version of the film and really want the theatrical to come to Blu.

[BostonMA]

i saw like the first half hour of this film on tv a long time ago and the only thing i remember is the beginning where the guy drinks a glass of alcohol and starts working on a dead body. at the time, i didnt know what was going on and i didnt like it because it was gross to me (i was around 8) but now, this kind of movie interests me and i've always liked mel gibson so i think i'm gonna blind buy this. i'll probably buy the hd dvd version because th cover art goes better with the hd dvd logo, and being a directors cut film, it should be better.

[the47ronin]

Great review. I have yet to see this version but I did love the theatrical cut of the film.

[MentokTheMindTaker]

Fuck me! I am glad to see this movie got such a great review on both formats. I would like to go buy it today after I leave work, but it is not out for 4 more days.

This disc got a great score for the special features which is a huge plus for me. I will enjoy this movie very much!

[illegalprelude]

no wonder I didnt see it on the shelves -_-

[Jim Morrison]

Watched the original on SD-DVD last night and i'm really looking forward to seeing this new cut after reading Ken's review. Had my dispatch email from MovieTyme 4 days ago so i'm hoping the postman will come bearing gifts this morning!

[okay flint]

Very awesome, really enjoyed the film.

certainly going to pick this one up on Tuesday.

[BostonMA]

Originally Posted by the47ronin

Great review. I have yet to see this version but I did love the theatrical cut of the film.

haha thats what i ended up doing.i had school of because of good friday so i cashed my paycheck and headed over to CC across the street to finally pick up the deer hunter and buy this version of payback. and i was looking for it and i asked the guy where it was and he told me of course it doesnt come out till tuesday. i was like ohhhhh great. of course, i know that most of these reviews come out before the discs do like night at the musuem but i guess i got caught up in the moment. the deer hunter was great though

[scubasteve]

This film is a remake of "Point Blank" a fantastic, hard-boiled Lee Marvin picture. Back then, movies didn't have to cowtow to idiotic audiences and suffer studio editing. Movies like "Point Blank" and "Prime Cut" with Lee Marvin didn't compromise and, thus, have no equal in today's cinema.

[willpooted]

IGN has an interview with Dir. Brian Helgeland...

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/779/779182p1.html

[MentokTheMindTaker]

Originally Posted by MentokTheMindTaker

I would like to go buy it today after I leave work, but it is not out for 4 more days.

I am gonna go get it today! Yeah!

[ckelly79]

Just watched the directors cut tonight. Although I like this version, I don't like it as much as the theatrical cut. I like some of the scenes they added in, but I really liked the voice over narration and blue tint that gave the movie that noir feel. It's gone from the directors cut and I think it takes away from the movie.

[Nightfury82]

Disappointed in this version of the film and the picture quality. I like it, but it doesn't compare to the look and feel of the theatrical cut. I hope Paramount will come to their senses and release a 2 disc SE with both versions of the film. Unfortunately, that may not happen for a long while.

[TomSelleck]

Yeah I finally got around to watching this myself. I thought the picture and audio quality was great but I was not a fan of the Director's Cut. The whole 3rd act felt like I was watching one big deleted scene. This is one of the few times I would rather have the Theatrical Cut.