Fall '08 Sneak-Peak

'Max Payne'
Release Date: October 17, 2008
    The two 'Max Payne' videogames, which follow a rogue cop as he uncovers the secrets behind his family's murder, were stunning achievments that showed what the medium is capable of in terms of storytelling.  Their terrific noir narratives, wonderful voice acting, and effective use of graphic novel-like cut scenes helped form an interactive story as brooding and emotionally engaging as anything that had yet been attempted in gaming, and now the story (presumably just from the first game) is finally being brought to the big screen. 
    When first hearing of the adaptation, I was nervous.  Seeing as the game itself was incredibly well-written and structured, it seems like adapting it to film would not be incredibly hard.  Even so, I was praying they got a legit talent to adapt the script, and they have gotten just that in 'The Shield' scribe Shawn Ryan.  'The Shield' is one of the best crime dramas ever on television, and the writer's darker sensibilities seem aptly suited for 'Max Payne'.   My nerves were also soothed somewhat by the recent release of the film's trailer, which looks very promising.
    Director John Moore is somewhat of a question mark for me, seeing as his only American films of note are the mediocre 'Behind Enemy Lines' and his marginal 'The Omen' remake.  But judging by the trailer, he seems to have nailed at least the visual style of the classic games.  We'll see if he can elevate his skill set in the dramatic engagement department.
    The cast is intriguing, with Mark Whalberg as the title character.  I've always liked Whalberg.  He's capable of turning in some terrific performances ('I Heart Huckabee's', 'Boogie Nights'), but he's also capable of floundering on-screen without proper direction ('The Happening').  In this case, though, I think he'll get the job done.  He doesn't have the gutteral Max Payne voice, but then again the videogame voice is more akin to Christian Bale's 'Batman' growl, and wouldn't work in this film anyway.  Mila Kunis gets a chance to play a more serious (and deadly) role as the hitwoman Mona Sax, and if she can downplay her nasally teeny voice then she should do just fine.  At least she's never a chore to look at.  Other promising cast members include Beau Bridges, the talented rapper/actor Ludacris, Donal Logue, and Chris O'Donnell. 
    I don't expect any kind of Oscar-worthy opus, but this really could provide the first artistically solid example of a screen videogame adaptation, potentially paving the way for more such crossovers from a medium that has long since proven its artistic and narrative merit but which still sees itself excluded from the high-minded entertainment elite. 
    Here are some eye-catching stills and a link to the intriguing trailer.

Payne/Whalberg comparison





See the trailer here.