Pretty Decent . Review on Paycheck Movie

When you see names like John Woo, Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman involved in the same movie , you cant but help feel a little apprehensive . After all , these people are known more for their recent mega-budget movies that flattered at the box office ( Pearl Harbour , Windtalkers) . However this movie isn’t the no-brain, disjointed fusion of impossible, laws-of-physics defying stunts( M:I-2 anyone ?) that I was expecting from John Woo . Aside form a few plot holes , this is a well made sci-fi action movie. Not in the league of Blade Runner or Minority Report (which, incidentally, are written by the same writer as this movie ) , but still worth a watch .

The story is set in the near future with our hero , Ben Affleck as a expert reverse engineer who accepts shady deals from companies who want to know the secrets of their rival company’s latest products . Of course to make sure that he doesn’t steal the ideas for himself , he voluntary gets his memory erased after the completion of each assignment . After the completion of a really big assignment ( of which he has no recollection ) he finds that he has forfeited all his stock in the company that hired him , leaving him without any money and that everyone is out to get him . The only clues he has is a envelope containing 12 assorted items (including a half-finished crossword, a pack of cigarettes and some hairspray) that he deposited in his bank safe . Now he is left with the unenviable task of rediscovering his hidden past , running for his life and saving the world .

Like most grim sci-fi movies, we have all the usual plot devices: Evil Mega Corporation that makes a startling discovery but sadly lacks moral judgment ( c.f. The Skynet A.I. computer in the Terminator movies), lone hero whom no one believes ( I, Robot , 12 Monkeys) , beautiful and multi-talented female sidekick , ( Matrix, Terminator , Robocop) and of course , humanity on the brink of self-destruction ( Terminator, I, Robot , Blade Runner ,12 Monkeys etc, etc) .

Unlike his previous movies, the director has decided to concentrate a little less on the outrageous yet slick action sequences that have been his forte and more on making a good movie where the story matters just as much as the stunts. Remember the ultra-simple DIY hold the world to hostage plot of M:I-2 ? Well this has a decent story and the director has managed to deliver a pretty exciting movie with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. At no point does the movie drag – it keeps you interested till the end. The 12 items mentioned above are used throughout the movie and it’s pure genius the way some of the items are used by the hero to get out of a sticky situation / rediscover his past.

Remember that this is a John Woo movie, so there’s not much room for histrionics and acting to make the critics rave. Not the kind of movie that after it’s over will have you deeply contemplating about the sad state of humanity and the meaningless cesspool of greed that society has degenerated to . No Sir , this is an out-and-out popcorn movie from start to finish . It lacks the depth that is seen in some other movies like Minority Report (do the ends justify the means ?)or even Robocop(Is he still human or is it a machine?)

The action sequences are vintage John Woo. Getting chased on a super bike, escaping from police custody, jumping sideways while shooting off 2 revolvers and rescuing damsels in distress are all in a days work for our misunderstood hero. They are well shot and (sometimes) breathtaking.

On the other hand you have your usual drawbacks when attempting this kind of movie – some illogical plot holes and a story that is just a little to far fetched . It also lacks the ''oomph'' that made M:I-2 and face/off so much fun to watch .

Overall , this is a pretty good movie . If you are looking for a pure action or sci-fi movie , then this might disappoint you a little . If on the other hand you want a pretty decent sci-fi movie with some good action thrown in then this is one movie that you might want to give a try .

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