The director's cut of Payback is better than the original release, but not by any great margin. Both are watchable and enjoyable more as surprisingly mean-spirited modern action films than any real attempt to bring Parker to the screen. If you're looking for Stark transcribed to film it is a deep disappointment.
Gibson plays Parker as far too 'cool', and delivers a performance that's more 'angry action hero' than anything else. But if you're up for a violent exploitation film and aren't concerned overmuch with how the film treats Parker, the movie won't bore you.
John
--- On Sun, 3/15/09, trentrey <trent@violentworldofparker.com> wrote:
From: trentrey <trent@violentworldofparker.com>
Subject: RARA-AVIS: Re: I've finally begun THE HOT ROCK...
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 2:36 PM
I thought both The Split and Made in USA were terrible, although it's been a long time since I've seen either. With its cast, The Split should have at least been fun, but it wasn't. Made in USA was almost a parody of a foreign art house flick, and not intentionally.
I don't think anyone disagrees with me on The Split, but lots of people do on Made in USA. Made in USA is currently touring major cities with a DVD release to follow at some point, if you need to see it. You can find out where it's playing and download a guide to the references in the film here: http://www.rialtopi ctures.com/ made.html
The director's cut of Payback, btw, sticks _much_ closer to the source material. Its only real concession to audience expectations that the main character be somewhat like a human is that it's clear that Porter/Parker harbors some feelings for Rosie/Rose Leigh. I'm not sure the movie is entirely successful, but it's a valiant effort with its heartlessness in the right place. Definitely worth a watch for fans of The Hunter.
I saw the director's cut at a film festival showing a couple of years back so I've only recently acquired the DVD. I'm looking forward to watching it for the writer/director' s commentary and for a Donald Westlake interview about The Hunter, Point Blank, and Payback.
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