'Paycheck' - High-Def Digest Review

[dbacksfan]

Nate not only reviews 'Paycheck,' he makes a stunning confession as well. (Read the review to find out what it is.) He says this John Woo action flick never quite makes the grade, but can still be enjoyed as mindless entertainment. Great video and audio and a decent array of supplements enhance the disc. This one's worthy of a rental.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/2163/paycheck.html

[paaron46]

Hi, I'm Nate Boss, and I have a confession to make. I'm a Ben Affleck fan.

Say it isn't so...

Well, I am too, but only when he's behind the camera

[dbacksfan]

Nate, I must confess I'm a bit of an Affleck junkie, too. I really liked him in 'Changing Lanes' and (ducking) 'Pearl Harbor.' I also thought he was pretty good in 'Bounce' with Gwenyth Paltrow. Haven't seen 'Paycheck' yet; maybe I'll check it out someday.

[Leterface]

I just saw this movie some week ago for the 2:nd time and again I was amazed how entertaining it was!

[horrorbusiness]

I'll pick this up when it's in a bargain bin somewhere since it received good AQ/PQ reviews.

[taygan315]

Originally Posted by horrorbusiness

I'll pick this up when it's in a bargain bin somewhere since it received good AQ/PQ reviews.

Same. I have never seen this but have had brief periods of desire to from time to time...very brief,lol.

[hawaii sun]

I saw this a few years back and was definitely entertained. Most likely I'll pick it up soon. I have no problem with Affleck, he's not a very good actor however most of his projects were interesting enough for me. I've seen quite a bunch of his movies, Good Will Hunting, Armageddon, Changing Lanes, Pearl Harbor & Sum of All Fears (I'm a huge Jack Ryan fan). I thought he did a terrific job as director on Gone Baby Gone and looking forward to his recent movie with Russell Crowe.

[krylonman]

...or the very rosy cheeks in close shots of Thurman, who looks aged beyond her years in these tight frames.

That always puzzled me; what's the deal with the unflattering makeup and lighting on Uma Thurman in this movie? She looks fabulous in both Kill Bill films, made around the same time. It's like she pissed off the DP or something.

Glad to hear the Blu-ray is nice (if from a dirty print). I hate seeing Philip K. Dick's stories turned into dumb action movies over and over, but shamefully I could never help being entertained by this one. It's like all twelve chapters of a cliffhanging matinee serial jammed into two hours. (How will Ben Affleck get out of this situation? Will the deadly conspiracy against him finally win with this motorcycle chase/sexy female assassin/machine that can see into the future? What use will he find for the key/paper clip/ball bearings? Learn these answers and more in the next thrilling chapter!)

[JackHunt]

In terms of a writer, I can't see him getting any better than 'Good Will Hunting', talk about an introduction. In acting, 'Hollywoodland' he truly shines. I've always liked BA myself, he has some stinkers, but so do most.

'Paycheck' is a decent film with a nice transfer, worth a rent.

[damonous]

Going a bit far to call John Woo a "hack who hasn't put out a single memorable film during his time in America", no? I hated MI2, but rather liked Paycheck. And, certainly, Face Off and Hard Target are nothing if not "memorable".

[project-blu]

Originally Posted by damonous

Going a bit far to call John Woo a "hack who hasn't put out a single memorable film during his time in America", no? I hated MI2, but rather liked Paycheck. And, certainly, Face Off and Hard Target are nothing if not "memorable".

if you say so. i have yet to see any Woo material since he came stateside that has been worth a damn.

Originally Posted by krylonman

...or the very rosy cheeks in close shots of Thurman, who looks aged beyond her years in these tight frames.

That always puzzled me; what's the deal with the unflattering makeup and lighting on Uma Thurman in this movie? She looks fabulous in both Kill Bill films, made around the same time. It's like she pissed off the DP or something.

Glad to hear the Blu-ray is nice (if from a dirty print). I hate seeing Philip K. Dick's stories turned into dumb action movies over and over, but shamefully I could never help being entertained by this one. It's like all twelve chapters of a cliffhanging matinee serial jammed into two hours. (How will Ben Affleck get out of this situation? Will the deadly conspiracy against him finally win with this motorcycle chase/sexy female assassin/machine that can see into the future? What use will he find for the key/paper clip/ball bearings? Learn these answers and more in the next thrilling chapter!)

Like Prison Break, only with less stupid twists!

Originally Posted by dbacksfan

Nate, I must confess I'm a bit of an Affleck junkie, too. I really liked him in 'Changing Lanes' and (ducking) 'Pearl Harbor.' I also thought he was pretty good in 'Bounce' with Gwenyth Paltrow. Haven't seen 'Paycheck' yet; maybe I'll check it out someday.

Woooo there's at least TWO Ben Affleck fans in this house!!!!

I thought he was pretty good in Bounce, as well, but the film itself was like a bad check.

My favorite BA:
Daredevil (Director's Cut. the theatrical cut is shit.)
Phantoms
Dazed and Confused.

Least favorite BA:
Jersey Girl. seriously? that hallway retching was a bit much.

Spoiler:

J-Lo dying was the one good thing in that film, guy, don't take it so personal!

[moviewizguy]

I just saw this yesterday and I found it surprisingly entertaining (after watching it like one other time months before). Much better than I remembered it to be. It was a mind bender AND an entertaining action film!

[Boston007]

ONLY reason to get this would be for UMA. I love UMA, I HATE Ben.

[eastx]

Originally Posted by damonous

Going a bit far to call John Woo a "hack who hasn't put out a single memorable film during his time in America", no? I hated MI2, but rather liked Paycheck. And, certainly, Face Off and Hard Target are nothing if not "memorable".

I have to agree with Damonous here. The review pretty much lost me at that point.

Also Krylonman is right that this is like watching a serialized movie all in one sitting. The situations Affleck gets into and then escapes out of are really exciting and fun.