"Max Payne" by Batman
The concept of “noir” filmmaking is a tricky one indeed. It involves taking the clichés of the genre; a hero who will deny his own goodness, the dark, dreary look at the world as well as, so commonly, a certain cold dish named “revenge”; and uses these not only as a vantage point, but as a compelling force to, though not necessarily drive, at least hammer the story home. This film recreates everything exciting, fresh and distinct of its genre, a walking advertisement for a world we can only now visit through film. It has its pitfalls, of course, a few deviations from its bleak and “curled lip” style, although it masks them so absolutely and efficiently, yet knowingly; seeming to hold a “practiced bravado”.
Max Payne is a tough cracker, in a world as tough as he is, though lacking a sensible determination. We never doubt his judgment concerning his quest, nor do we double take at much of his moves; as we, throughout a series of inner monologues, come to trust him, to feel as if he is in control, and if not him, then something as high up as fate. This makes him a nice character, and while not always a layered character of sep4erate layers, he is one to grasp onto in this world devoid of any light, lest we lose our path. His narrations are done with a gritty sarcasm, and often strike a note of somber humor, and, for sure, are my favorite moments in the film. I feel that, while they do not tell us much of Payne’s inner feelings, they still allow us access to a simpler, more direct form of communication with him and the scenario. See it as a guide, or more accurately, a pretentious news reporter, taking the current events and adding a metaphorical manner of speaking.
One of my concerns, of which I cannot name many, is the dialogue that comes in key certain scenes; such as the lighter moments, scenes where a story is told simply. It seems like noir-lite, and coming out of those wonderful narrations, I expected more. On top of this, I noticed that it seems to be something of a story being told for its own purpose. There was not a large portion of complexity here, nor was there much development to speak of. However, with this detached view, we really do seem to “see” the world of this moment, detached to even those who live there, but I would have enjoyed one thing to see change, or shifted in ideals, to act as a bitter contrast to the icy city. Payne substitutes, but with the amount of layering put into him; he cannot hold the weight for long.
Do not let me misstep you in considering this a fine, one of the great, action films of MR. The scenes of action are taken well, and perform the rare, so often left out, task of feeling like they belong to the story and connect to it, practically in it, where as other such films will force in where it doesn’t belong. A misfit of disastrous proportions, but not here. Not since “Captain Scarlet 2” did action come off so clean cut and viable, not only this, but entertaining. I had an immense good time reading them, and this film, for that matter. The gunfights may have been slow-mo, but the film read like a charm.
The details provided, that is, the description, acted as a sidekick to the more blatant charms of the film, and acted, as described above, as morphing the film, to some success, into a time capsule of a past era, and in doing so, encompassed both the pro’s and con’s of the style associated with it. A wonderfully mood, nicely set scenes of thrills and action, albeit static characters and often one layered drama.
Overall, I was shocked to find how enjoyable this film really was, and how engaged I was without intending to be. What pleased me most was the quality of writing, the narration in particular, and with not too many faults, I can say it places itself on a high caliber of the “action film”. I encourage, implore, it to be seen by all; this time, not pushing a film due to the grandness of it, or the extravagance, but because of the level of delight it can bring an hour or so of your time, the nice story it can weave in little more then a New York minute.
No comments:
Post a Comment