- Actors: Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, David Paymer, Bill Duke
- Directors: Brian Helgeland
- Writers: Brian Helgeland, Donald E. Westlake, Terry Hayes
- Producers: Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety
- Language English
- Classification: 18
- Studio: Warner
- VHS Release Date: 29 May 2000
- Run Time: 97 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CZEG
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 19,304 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
If it weren't for the fact that John Boorman's Point Blank was already a definitive take on Richard Stark's novel The Hunter (reissued under the title Payback), Payback would be a well-above-average 90s action movie. The original toughness is diluted: Mel Gibson's Porter, replacing Lee Marvin's Walker and Stark's Parker, comes on like a hardnut but turns into a softie when he hooks up with call-girl Maria Bello (and he even likes dogs). Double-crossed and wounded after shifty Gregg Henry dupes Porter's wife (Deborah Kara Unger) into betraying him, Porter sets out to get back the $70,000 share of a heist that he feels he is owed. Because Henry has used the money to buy his way into "the Outfit", he has to deal not only with the squirming scumbag but a hierarchy of corporate mobsters (William Devane, James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson) for whom it would be bad business practice to hand over even the trivial sum. Director-writer Brian Helgeland gives it a steely-blue look and gets good performances all round (with room for Lucy Liu as an amusing dominatrix) while constructing a story in which everything fits. But it's just a good thriller, since the masterpiece potential has already been staked out. --Kim Newman
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Payback is a gritty, intense and slow-paced action movie. Mel Gibson plays Porter, a guy who will stop at nothing for his payback. The plot just seemed to get better and better with more twists as the movie progressed. Mel Gibson is great as the ruthless Porter, but equally worthy of mention are William Devane's performance as Carter, the crime boss, and Lucy Liu as a dominatrix. Incredible as the acting may be, the action scenes are very well done. The movie is of a very old style. Blue tint throughout the film with a classic soundtrack. You really have to be in the mood for this one. Overall, Payback is a very good movie, enjoyable and well worth watching.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I, along with most other people, enjoyed the theatrical version released in 1999. But what most people won't know is that the entire third act was reshot because the original version was considered too dark. The studio wanted more Lethal Weapon style action and comedy.
Helgeland's released a new director's cut (Payback: Straight Up) on region 1 DVD that reinstates all the darker moments (the dog dies, the voice-over has been deleted) and the train station ending. Personally I like both versions but ultimately the new version is the one intended to have been seen and I urge you to check it out.
Helgeland's released a new director's cut (Payback: Straight Up) on region 1 DVD that reinstates all the darker moments (the dog dies, the voice-over has been deleted) and the train station ending. Personally I like both versions but ultimately the new version is the one intended to have been seen and I urge you to check it out.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I thought this movie was brilliant. Mel is a world weary bad boy who just wants his just desserts - no more , no less. My favourite line was when the dominatrix told him she had a few minutes to spare. Mel looked totally disinterested and said 'Go boil an egg'. Great!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"Payback" Mel Gibson pay top respct to Lee Marvin "Point Blank,"
Mel Gibson "gives one of his strongest performances," teaming with his co-screenwriter Brian Helgeland and a superb supporting cast to ignite Payback's explosive mix of story,... Read more
Published 22 days ago by S. F. husseiny
Gibson as mad as HECK
After being left for dead by his wife and partner in crime Porter wants one thing, no not revenge but his $70,000 dollars not $130,000 but $70,000, is it the principle, maybe but... Read more
Published 3 months ago by ekb
Whizzing bullets in the corner of your eyes
Strangely enough it is a gangster film full of faithlessness and hypocrisy, hatred and greed and yet the good guys turn out to be a gangster and a prostitute. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Jacques COULARDEAU
the hunter
Mel Gibson plays a small time criminal, who is framed by his partner and shot by his wife. Believed to be dead, he returns and wants his share of money back. Read more
Published 23 months ago by P. Kramer
Typical Mel ruthless to the bone
Porter (Mel Gibson) common criminal is just doing his thing and rather flamboyantly. He pilfers from the bob and his cut is $70,000. Read more
Published on 25 April 2010 by bernie
Rubbish presentation
This is a good film, I'd have given it five stars but for the way it is presented. It's a double sided disc with a widescreen version on one side and a standard version on the... Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Fussy Bloke
Originals are always hard to better?
I am not a fan of remakes as they are more often than not, not a patch on the original. Not because the original is necessarily better, just that it is hard to disassociate the... Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2009 by Mr. C. K. Small
HAS ITS MOMENTS...
...but comedy and revenge don't go together. Remakes rarely live up to the original and PAYBACK (the original being POINT BLANK with Lee Marvin) is no exception, and it's not for... Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2008 by Sick-o
Nice Guys Finish Last.
If You Like Revenge Movies, Get This. I love the film 'MAN ON FIRE', But This Delivers a Twisted Blend Of Comedy and Action, Great Stuff. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2007 by Mr. Adam Conradie
Payback for your money
"Payback" is one of those highly entertaining movies that make you forget your sorrows for a moment and entertains you right till the end. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2007 by Jay
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