Music: John Powell
Director: John Woo
Writers:Philip K. Dick (short story), Dean Georgaris (screenplay)
Writers:
Cast: Uma Thurman, Aaron Eckhart, Claudette Mink, Mark Brandon, Krista Allen, Lori Berlanga, Jason Calder, John Cassini, Fulvio Cecere and others
Genres: Action, Sci Fi, Mystery
Release date: 25 December 2003
After the huge success of Minority Report, it was inevitable that another film based on the works of prolific science fiction author Phillip K. Dick would eventuate. Dick is fast becoming as popular a choice for film adaptation as Michael Crichton and John Grisham. To date there have been six feature film adaptations, with a seventh (A Scanner Darkly) now in production. Those not familiar with the author are more than likely familiar with the films inspired by their literary counterparts. Bladerunner - arguably Director Ridley Scott’s finest hour, Total Recall - a Paul Verhoeven extravaganza with the Austrian oak in full flight, Screamers – a low budget semi decent Peter Weller outing, Impostor – an overlooked reworking of The Fugitive set 50 years from now starring Gary Sinese, and Minority Report – a Spielberg directed Tom Cruise starring class act. Which brings us to the sixth entry – John Woo’s Paycheck starring Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman.
Set in the not too distant future, Paycheck depicts a world greedy for technological advancement. Ben Affleck plays Michael Jennings, a reverse technician who is hired, at great cost, to duplicate or in some cases improve ontechnology patented by rival corporations. There is a catch, however - when the job is completed, the reverse technician has his memory wiped clean therefore avoiding potential prosecution or copyright law infringement. A problem arises when Jennings is hired by an old friend to complete a job that requires three years of memory depletion. Three years far exceeds any known memory erasure technology and poses a lethal risk to the patient. However, the potential windfall of almost 100 million dollars convinces Jennings to take the job. After successfully completing his contract, Jennings finds himself the target of the CIA and a hired hit squad intent on discovering his secrets. Unfortunately, Michael Jennings has no knowledge of his recent past and must piece together the last three years before he is either incarcerated or murdered.
Paycheck is a well made Action/Sci-Fi film that managed to give Ben Affleck a hit movie after the disastrous Gigli, a film so bad many felt it would end Affleck's career. (Hopefully Jennifer Lopez’s career will never recover from that cinematic travesty). Director John Woo last dabbled in the realm of science fiction with the brilliant Face Off. Paycheck never scales those majestic heights and is basically a gentler version ofTotal Recall , albeit without the gratuitous violence and genius of Paul Verhoeven. The film moves at a rapid pace and throws several excellent action set pieces at the audience.
There is no denying that Director Woo knows his way around an action scene, but it is his lack of confidence in dealing with the science fiction elements of the film that prevents the story from reaching its full potential. Quality science fiction when handled well should not only be intelligent and viscerally enthralling, but should also engage the imagination, especially when the source material demands it.Total Recall , Minority Report and Bladerunner remain as compelling now as they were when first released for that simple reason. By that rationale Paycheck is a cracking ride with little substance. However, the story is never less than interesting and benefits from a director with a sure hand in the action arena.
Set in the not too distant future, Paycheck depicts a world greedy for technological advancement. Ben Affleck plays Michael Jennings, a reverse technician who is hired, at great cost, to duplicate or in some cases improve on
Paycheck is a well made Action/Sci-Fi film that managed to give Ben Affleck a hit movie after the disastrous Gigli, a film so bad many felt it would end Affleck's career. (Hopefully Jennifer Lopez’s career will never recover from that cinematic travesty). Director John Woo last dabbled in the realm of science fiction with the brilliant Face Off. Paycheck never scales those majestic heights and is basically a gentler version of
There is no denying that Director Woo knows his way around an action scene, but it is his lack of confidence in dealing with the science fiction elements of the film that prevents the story from reaching its full potential. Quality science fiction when handled well should not only be intelligent and viscerally enthralling, but should also engage the imagination, especially when the source material demands it.