Paycheck (2003)
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins
Theatrical Release: Dec 25, 2003 Wide
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 flicks--who shows off his agility here with flat-out, white-knuckle cinematic entertainment.... 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 flicks--who shows off his agility here with flat-out, white-knuckle cinematic entertainment. Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) is a high-paid engineer who works on hush-hush computer inventions and technology for shady companies. Later, his memory is wiped clean, so he has no recollection of his work. His so-called friend Rethrick (Aaron Eckhardt, the master of smarmy mean-spiritedness, as in IN THE COMPANY OF MEN) offers him enough money to retire by working on a project at Rethrick's company, Allcom. When Jennings emerges three years later, sans memory, he tries to collect his paycheck. At the bank, he's handed a manila envelope filled with cryptic items he doesn't recognize, and told he voluntarily forfeited his entire paycheck. He also has a stunning girlfriend named Dr. Rachel Porter (Uma Thurman) who is likewise ensnared in the conspiracy. Jennings must somehow piece together the clues he left for himself, and find out why everyone is out to kill him. As usual, Dick's story is the basis for a killer script that travels from point A to Z with gripping immediacy. The clues left for Jennings are amusing writerly devices, intricately pieced together. Woo clearly enjoyed choreographing the wild gunfighting and chase sequences (slo-mo bullets aplenty), sending Affleck and Thurman on the run with a BMW motorcycle. [More]
Genre: Action/Adventure
Starring: Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart, Uma Thurman, Paul Giamatti, Colm Feore
Screenwriter: Dean Georgaris
Producer: John Davis, Michael Hackett, John Woo, Terence Chang
Composer: John Powell
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
The film discards serious discussion for Mexican standoffs and action scenes, trading the possibility of complex rewards for simple pleasures.
There is enough left of the original idea in the movie to recommend it, just barely.
Ben Affleck is one of the blandest actors vying for Hollywood’s action movie crown now that Harrison Ford is on pension . . .
Clearly, the whole cast was here simply to collect – yes, you guessed it – a pay cheque.
The characters are charismatic, the action sequences strong and the plot — adapted from a Philip K. Dick story — better than average.
John Woo delivers some fun thrills in an otherwise lackluster action pic.
It doesn’t take a world-famous genius to peg this thing a paycheck movie if there ever was one.
Dick’s nifty sci-fi plot is undermined by Hollywood present, from vapid Affleck to Woo’s explosively dreary finale.
When will Ben Affleck's perceived star power fade away? He just doesn't seem to have the inner angst and soulfulness that you see in the eyes of Cruise, Pitt or even Damon.
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