Payback [Blu-ray] [1999]

Remaking a classic is never a good idea at the best of times, but when Brian Helgeland's remake of Point Blank ended up being shelved, heavily re-edited, rewritten (by Terry Hayes) and reshot by another director (production designer John Myhre) to make it more `accessible' to an audience after committing the triple sins of having a hero who doesn't get the money and doesn't get the girl and - worst of all - having a character kill the dog, it must have seemed like an out and out suicidal one. So much of the film's last third was dumped that half the footage in the film's trailer (and even its poster image) were nowhere to be found in the finished film itself by the time it made it to the theatres. Somehow the version of Payback that did get released turned out to be both surprisingly good and more surprisingly commercially successful, but now that, eight years later, Helgeland's finally had the chance to restore his version for DVD, the only response to the theatrical version's tagline `No more Mr Nice Guy' is "Oh yeah?"This time Mel Gibson's Porter doesn't have a voice over to excuse his actions, and they're not diluted by focus groups either. So he steals from a homeless guy? So what, it's not as if the guy is faking a disability in this cut, he just wants his money. So he asks a barman for information by breaking his hand? So what, he doesn't have time for subtlety, he just wants his money. So his wife O.D.s after he beats her up? So what, she shot him anyway, he just wants his money. So he kills a handcuffed heavy after disarming him? So what, he didn't like the guy, he just wants his money. In fact, Porter doesn't care what happens to anybody as long as he gets his money. The only thing that makes him the hero is that the guy who has his money is even worse than he is.Unlike most Director's Cuts, this really is a very different version of the film: while the first hour has more or less the same structure as the theatrical version, the last third is a significant departure. Running some ten minutes less than the theatrical version, there's no convoluted kidnapping subplot, no Kris Kristofferson character in this version, only a couple of shots of prominently-billed John Glover at the end, though sadly no Angie Dickinson either: although originally providing a link with John Boorman's film as the voice of the syndicate boss in Helgeland's first cut, for some reason she's here replaced by Sally Kellerman on speakerphone. Instead we get a much better realized and rather more organic finale at a transit station that brings the film to a more convincing conclusion and is more attuned to the character's strengths and weaknesses than the kind of plot contrivances that gave the theatrical version its more explosive resolution. Oh yes, and everything doesn't look blue anymore.There are differences from the first cut that Helgeland submitted that was floating around as a bootleg for years - the fire truck diversion to get into the outfit hotel and the infamous elevator scene where Porter blinds a henchman are missing, while this time round the money doesn't end up in the hands of a homeless guy - but while it's a shame these aren't included on the DVD, it's a leaner, meaner movie, playing it down and dirty (none of Boorman's "Is he really dead?" ambiguity here) and on its own terms. Is it a great film or a lost masterpiece? No, just a good movie with a heart of darkness underneath the studio sheen, but that's good enough for me.Warner's UK Blu-ray is an especially goof package good package. While Paramount's US Blu-ray offers the director's cut with a three-part documentary on the making and unmaking of the film (with Mel Gibson surprisingly prominent among the new interviews) and an interview with author Donald E. Westlake that run longer than the main feature itself, as well as an audio commentary by Helgeland, Warners have included all that and the reworked 1999 theatrical version and the cast interviews that were included on the DVD release of that as well.

Love this movie with Mel Gibson. When I seen it was on blu/ray this for me was a must.

Great film, clean and sharp in bluray. Remake of the excellent Point Blank with Lee Marvin. Don't know if there'll be a 4k transfer but don't think there's any point for me as it's shot with grey filter that restricts the colours.

This is a wonderful combination: the theatrical release and the director's cut, all in super clear blu-ray.The story is about Porter, an extremely tough guy who comes back from a presumed death to seek revenge. Because he was ripped off $70K from a heist - shot for his share - he comes back demanding to get that back. He starts off with absolutely nothing and claws his way back with a grim nonchalance. Any resistance he meets results in cold murder. The perpetrators are first, but when he fails to get satisfaction from them, he goes to who got the payoff. Along the way, he contends with a wonderful roster of quirky characters, from a hooker he used to love to a S&M call girl (Lucy Liu in a classic cameo), dirty cops, and dripping, petty criminals. It is as hilarious as it is horrifying and completely entertaining.I must confess that I preferred the theatrical version. It is cleaner, less ambiguous at the end, and Gibson's narration is delivered with the chilling boredom of a sociopath. However, with the ending of the Director's cut and no narration, it is a different, far more intelligent, film and ultimately a great pleasure as well. The director's cut expects more from the viewer, who must figure out what is going on. I will say no more so as not to play the spoiler.Now that I have watched this several times, it does feel a bit stylized, but the superlative acting more than makes up for it. It is filmed with the emotional tone of film noire, but in color - quite a feat. The director's cut is brighter. Very interesting to contrast them. There are also good extras included on how both versions were made. This is destined to be a cult classic.

incl alt ending v diff but less satisfying than orig. despite Blu-ray still isn’t 4k.

Great movie. No issues at all. Worth the cash

This is a remake of the original Point Blank which stared Lee Marvin, which in turn was based on a book written by Richard Stark aka Donald E. Westlake, who incidentally became one of my favourite authors, alongside Ed McBain, at least as far a crime novels are concerned. In both of the films, about a professional freelance criminal who masterminded 'scores'; Parker as named in the books, underwent a unwarranted change of name in both Point Blank and again in this remake, with Mel Gibson now in the lead role.Although this version has somewhat more violence in it, I still prefer the original with Lee Marvin as Walker (Parker as it should have been!). The only thing going for the remake is that some parts of the film do actually more or less mirror parts of the book as I remember it. Though I don't recall a mob boss as being female!? I can only class this film as okay (3 stars). It's not a great crime action/thriller but it is nevertheless watchable.

Let me tell you that this is one of those titles that you have to see to believe! the ability of the Director is incredible to make this Title 2 very different films, is the same film, the actors, but the Version Director's Cut is completely different from various points of view of the Actors. So, who really likes the Cinema, here can enjoy 2 movies instead of one with simple changes(Many Director's cut versions showing no difference), but here the filters, background music, dialogs courts in which the 2 are very nice cuts.When I received this Title from Amazon.uk,I opened the package and saw the 2 films In a row without interruption and The enjoyment was A LOT!The Cast Is Amazing, Jack Conley, Mel Gibson, Maria Bello, Kris Kristofferson, Bill Duke, Lucy Liu.etc, are all Amazing Together!Regards