| Allow me to start this review by giving an example of how I see things, and this example will use books as a subject. I enjoy reading, or rather, I enjoy reading very specific books. It is difficult for me to find something I like because my taste is very specific. It is less of the subject matter, and more of the writing style, though both go hand-in-glove.For the longest time, and I believe to this day, the book which I have read more times than any other is Moby Dick, the Illustrated Classic. Those last two words are significant. I had believed that this was the real, original Moby Dick, <more> until a couple of years ago when I saw the original book at the store, and promptly picked it up and opened its pages, only to find, to my amazement, that the book was different. Not only was it different-- it was boring. The first three or four pages or so was using many, many different expressions and metaphors to explain that there are people who like the ocean, and some that do not. To me, that is drivel, dull, and, more aptly described, superfluous. The illustrated classic is a watered down version, and judging by the writing style, perhaps for-- fifteen year olds, at most, yet still it is a book I enjoy thoroughly. The difference between the books is that, while the Illustrated Classic may not describe in many metaphors and peradventures about the ocean, nor define the tavern in which he stayed a night in with excruciating detail, it makes up for those shortcomings in plain old fashioned story-telling. The plot moves, characters are introduced, and things happen.For the longest time I have wanted to develop a writing style which mixes rich details that stir the imagination with the simple move-along manner of stories written for younger persons.Now, let us return to the world of film and apply this same logic. Many people compare Paycheck to movies of the same ilk in general, Minority Report specifically, claiming the latter as a superior movie. Disregarding the fact that Minority Report would be scores below a truly fine film, the simple fact is that Minority Report would be the boring, droning thing that I have described the actual Moby Dick story as, while Paycheck would be the Illustrated Classic, albeit, on somewhat of a higher level. It doesn't dwell for very long to make a redundant point, it tells a story and moves everything forward.Now, taking you back to books, there are often two types of stories: There are stories where you simply want things to move along, and there are stories where you wish things would dwell a bit more, at times, or have more meat.What I mean by the former is this: the story is interesting, but it sits around describing things a bit more than you would like. Perhaps it's the writing style, or the voice of the narrative in your head, but you are much less interested in what is happening at the moment, and more interested in the story pushing forward and unveiling more of the plot.Then there are the stories where you are interested and full of fervor from page one and die a little on the inside when it ends. Upon many reads, you realize that if they had spoken a little more in a particular conversation, made the plot a little more thick, added some more depth to the characters and had more pointless conversations that were fun and interesting, that the book could have been much, much better.This is is Paycheck. The movie is fun, but the mystery of it all is solved a bit too fast. Every gesture, every conversation, especially in the beginning, is interesting and fun. You are interested in the characters, their conversations and how things were happening, besides what was happening in general. The problem is that, as good as it is-- there could have been a few more 'details,' it could have 'described the wood a bit on the house,' as it were. I've watched this movie at least four times, now, and it keeps me coming back with the simple concept that the main character does not know, and seeks out the truth while the viewer tags along and watches with a smile on his face.There are plenty enough people who dislike Ben Affleck, and I still cannot understand it. It's the same with Tom Cruise. Both are good actors, good-looking, great at action, and have fun movies-- yet people dislike them. If you're a casual viewer, then I believe that you will like this movie. Even if you aren't a casual viewer; if you enjoy action flicks with a bit of time-viewing on the side, then you should enjoy this. But, the biggest draw, I think, is the mystery. "What's going on!" That's the fun part, and the movie is fun, all-around.I give this movie a 9. . . out of 10. <less> |
