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Movies / On DVD / Payback
Payback

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Payback (1999)

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25 %
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Reviews Counted:4

Fresh:1

Rotten:3

Average Rating:4/10

Consensus: Sadistic violence and rote humor saddle a predictable action premise.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Synopsis: Mel Gibson is Porter, a ruthless criminal, who is gunned down by his wife and friend after they rob an Asian gang. When Porter survives the attack, he makes it his mission to exact revenge on his... Mel Gibson is Porter, a ruthless criminal, who is gunned down by his wife and friend after they rob an Asian gang. When Porter survives the attack, he makes it his mission to exact revenge on his friend, who has used the robbery money to buy his way into a powerful syndicate. Added to the mix are crooked police officers, members of the syndicate, and the Asian gang, who are out for a bit of revenge themselves. Based on the series of novels by Donald E. Westlake, which were translated to the screen previously in John Boorman's POINT BLANK (1967). [More]

Starring: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, Deborah Unger

Starring: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, Deborah Unger, David Paymer, Bill Duke, William Devane, Kris Kristofferson, James Coburn

Director: Brian Helgeland

Director: Brian Helgeland
Screenwriter: Brian Helgeland, Terry Hayes
Producer: Bruce Davey
Composer: Chris Boardman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Payback

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1 - 6 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
03/25/06
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
10/18/08
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
Variety
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It's undone not so much by the shadow of Lee Marvin falling heavily on it (which it does) as by the twin obstacles of big star image and, more to the point, excessive violence.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/14/01
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
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This film is riddled with cliches and impossible situations.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
01/01/00
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
Paul Clinton (CNN.com)
CNN.com
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There is much cleverness and ingenuity in Payback.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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Its smirking sense of humor and generic self-consciousness suggest that Payback would like to think of itself as a hip descendant of Pulp Fiction. But the movie is utterly devoid of narrative ingenuity and visual and dramatic flair.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Stephen Holden
Stephen Holden
New York Times
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1 - 6 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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