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Paycheck Keeps You Guessing |
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Written by TAMI OWENS
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Friday, 29 May 2009 |
Hollywood for years has looked to the literary world to find stories to bring to the big screen. When one pays off, they mine their catalog of every last novel and short story. What would Hollywood be without the clever mind of Sci-Fi writer Philp K. Dick? Starting in the 80’s with Blade Runner, they have been bringing his stories to life with mostly positive results. Other films based on his work include Minority Report, Total Recall and A Scanner Darkly to name a few. Another such film based on his work is director John Woo's 2003 Paycheck, a fast paced action film that one comes to expect from Woo.
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Paycheck
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 Entertainment
Art
 Special Features
Directed by John Woo
Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick and a screenplay by Dean Georgaris
Starring Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Colm Feore
Rated PG-13
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In the not so distance future, Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) makes a living as what they refer to as a “reverse engineer”. He analyzes the new “it” technology, breaks it all down and designs a new and even superior product for the competition. In return he receives large sums of money for his time and effort. However there is one catch, after he completes each job he undergoes a memory wipe to protect his client and himself for that matter. When an old college roommate offers him the “paycheck” of a lifetime, Jennings realizes it’s an offer he can not refuse. Old friend James Rethrick (Aaron Eckhart) these days is the owner Allcom of one of the biggest computer dynasties in the world (think Bill Gates but more suave) and more of the most powerful. Usually Jennings jobs take anywhere between two to three months, however, this one will be a three year commitment. With stock options and a paycheck of $92,000,000, he will never have to work a day in his life again. Sounds simple enough right? Jump three years later and what should have been the best day of his life quickly turns upside down. With no memories of the last three years, Jennings arrives to collect his paycheck but finds out he has signed away all of his shares away and only has an envelope of random items to show for it. As he tries to put the pieces together and make sense of the envelope of items he is captured by the FBI. Jennings quickly concludes that every item is not random but a clue that will help him in solving the mystery of his actions and the last three years. Using the contents in the envelope, Jennings escapes custody and goes on the lam. If it isn’t the FBI on his tail, it’s Allcom’s right hand man John Wolfe (Colm Feore) trying to kill him before he can put all the pieces together.
Paycheck is a fun playing along and watching Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) putting all the pieces together. John Woo knows how to put an action film together and has a fun with the material. Now on Blu-ray the film comes with a ton of extras.
The film includes two commentary tracks one with director John Woo and another by screenwriter Dean Georgaris. Both have their plus and minuses with Woo’s being more fun with his amusing anecdotes while Georgaris is more dry. Paycheck: Designing the Future is an almost twenty minute featurette with the cast on making the film. Tempting Fate: The Stunts of Paycheck is a fifteen plus featurette on just what it sounds like. There are seven Extended/Deleted scenes that are better then your usual fare of cutting room floor scenes.
Paycheck although not as successful as Blade Runner or Minority Report is a fun film that will keep you guessing until the end. John Woo has made a career of this genre and doesn’t disappoint. Now on Blu-ray the film looks better than ever even if the special features are here in standard def.
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