This mishmash of Philip K. Dick, cheesy romance, Hitchcock references and Woo's own BMW commercials is sadly outdated on delivery.
Comment
12/25/03
Paycheck (2003)
27
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:138
Fresh:37
Rotten:101
Average Rating:4.7/10
Consensus: Though Dick's short story has an intriguing premise, Woo reduces it to a lot of meaningless chases, shoot-outs, and explosions.
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
US Box Office: $53,681,119
Synopsis: Adapted from a mind-bending sci-fi thriller by Philip K. Dick, the slick and riveting PAYCHECK is directed by John Woo (THE KILLER, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II)--the king of artful gunfighting... [More]
Starring: Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti
Director: John Woo
Reviews for Paycheck
101 - 120 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Ben Affleck is a handsome fellow. No argument there. What he isn't is a particularly compelling leading man.
12/25/03
The first third builds up suspense through dialogue, plotting, ambiguity. Then Woo apparently recalls that he's expected to fill pictures with chases, explosions and 'stylish' trademarks.
12/25/03
We're left with the painful reality that Paycheck might get Alfred Hitchcock, but it certainly doesn't know Philip K. Dick.
12/25/03
How sad to see John Woo churn out an action thriller so thoroughly generic.
12/25/03
A story that doesn't make a lick of sense, even on its own coherence-mangling terms.
12/25/03
By-the-book thrills speed by giving the film an exhausting pace, but it doesn't translate into the heart-pounding suspense the film promises.
12/25/03
One of those thoroughly entertaining flicks that is easily forgotten.
12/25/03
With its bland central character, and collapsible contraption of a plot, Paycheck leaves little after-effect.
12/25/03
Instead of a nifty thriller, Woo delivers typical bombast, making what should be an exciting film feel like 'Exhibit A' in the case against modern action films.
12/25/03
Makes little of its fascinating premise and seems to show the once-mighty Woo running out of breath and ideas.
12/25/03
Gives further proof of the eroding skills of filmmaker John Woo, for whom Paycheck is surely a career low.
12/25/03
Efficient and occasionally fun -- but never to the extent that you can overlook its shortcomings.
12/24/03
There are countless fascinating possibilities involved in Philip K. Dick's story, and I'm kind of sad that the ones ranking highest in the minds of the filmmakers was the opportunity to have chase scenes and blow stuff up real good.
12/24/03
Top CriticThis is cinematic cotton candy at its most caloric, and could pass as worthy yet inconsequential entertainment if it only had a tenth of a brain.
12/24/03
Paycheck, if remembered at all, will only be for how derivative the memory of these two great masters of their fields has become.
12/24/03
The blanks, and there are many, are filled with dunderheaded plotting and logic usually reserved only for James Bond movies.
12/24/03
This is one Affleck misstep you can't blame on J. Lo.
12/24/03
begins with a clever concept and eventually settles for being little more than a 'there's not a moment to spare!' chase picture...
12/24/03
Paycheck fails to fully explore the interesting question it poses and regresses into a brainless actioner.
12/24/03
Latest News for Paycheck
August 31, 2006:
A Taste of What's "Next" for Nicolas Cage
Any time I hear the phrase "movie based on a Philip K. Dick story," I know I have to do a little more research. The next PKD adaptation is Lee Tamahori's... More...
August 08, 2006:
Paul Giamatti to Star as Philip K. Dick
He night not be as famous as H.G. Wells or Isaac Asimov, but ask a sci-fi enthusiast what they think of Philip K. Dick, and get ready for a lengthy conversation. The late and... More...
November 08, 2005:
Nic Cage & Julianne Moore Will Do Sci-Fi Action Flick "Next"
Variety reports that Nicolas Cage and Julianne Moore will star in Revolution's "Next," which is a sci-fi action project based on a story by genre giant Philip K. Dick. More...
July 08, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Head on over to the film's official site for your first look at the trailer to "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." The supernatural horror flick is directed by Scott... More...
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