Today’s quick review: Paycheck. Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) is one of the world’s best engineers. His work for major companies nets him seven-figure paychecks and a lifestyle to match. The only catch is that his work is top secret, so much so that his employers wipe his memory at the end of each job. Jennings wakes up from a 3-year job expecting $90 million and an early retirement. Instead he finds that the money is gone, the FBI wants him for questioning, and his boss (Aaron Eckhart) has betrayed him. His only clue is an envelope of knick-knacks he mailed to himself weeks ago. With the help of his best friend (Paul Giamatti) and a woman from his missing years (Uma Thurman), Jennings must stay alive long enough to solve the mystery he left for himself.
Paycheck is a sci-fi action thriller based on a story by Philip K. Dick and directed by John Woo. Despite a strong premise, the movie does not live up to its potential. Paycheck had all the makings of a tense psychological thriller: amnesia, mystery, a fugitive protagonist, and an intriguing low sci-fi hook. Instead the movie veers in the action direction, with all the flashy cuts, shallow characters, and gratuitous chase scenes of a budget action flick. Its impressive cast is given little to do, and the tone of wealth and power early in the movie gives way to cookie cutter action movie tone later on.
Apart from its missed potential, Paycheck is still a fun, interesting movie. Much of its appeal lies in Jennings’ McGyver-esque escapes, using ordinary objects in extraordinary ways. None of the action is groundbreaking, but it helps keep the later stages of the film moving. And for all its action trappings, Paycheck is built around a good mystery that is satisfying at all stages of the film.
Watch Paycheck if you enjoy action films with sci-fi elements, are intrigued by the premise, and don’t mind a little shlock. Skip it if you are looking for a thoughtful take on the premise or a film with depth.
6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a great premise held back by generic action movie execution.