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Paycheck
Reviewed by Vittorio J. Carli for Reel Movie Critic
HH
Cast
Ben Affleck	Michael Jennings
Uma Thurman	Rachel
Aaron Eckhart	Rehthrick
Directed by John Woo. A sci-fi thriller. Rated PG-13 (for intense action violence and brief language). Paramount Pictures.

"Paycheck" is an uneven thriller that incorporates many cyberpunk and action film plot elements. It has an extremely intriguing setup, but it eventually degenerates into a standard mindless gunfire fest.

The film has a competent cast, which includes Ben ("Chasing Amy") Affleck, Uma ("Kill Bill Volume I") Thurman, Paul Giamatti ("American Splendor") and Aaron ("In the Company of Men") Eckhart. Unfortunately, their talents are mostly squandered on flat, cookie cutter characters.

The film was based upon a short story, by the influential sci-fi author, Phillip K. Dick. Several commercially and artistically successful films were adapted from his works, including Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" and Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report."

But "Paycheck" never approaches those classic films in terms of ambition, scope or quality. There may not be enough plot in the story for a full two-hour film

Ben Affleck stars in "Paycheck. Affleck has been in some terrific films, including "Good Will Hunting," "Chasing Amy" and most of Kevin Smith's other edgy comedies. However, Affleck is not particularly physically imposing, and he doesn't do his best work in action films.

He's not terribly convincing when he is punching villains out or dodging bullets. His casting in "Paycheck" and "Daredevil" was a mistake. Where are Wesley Snipes, Vin Diesel or Chow Young Fat when you need them?

In "Paycheck" Affleck plays Michael Jennings, your typical everyman who gets involved in extraordinary circumstances. This type of protagonist was a staple in Hitchock films such as "Vertigo" and "Rear Window."

Jennings is a bright electrician who allows himself to be used in mental experiments by a cutting edge electronics corporation, for a huge amount of stock. His life takes a turn for the worse when he comes out of a two-year coma. He finds that he is broke, and that he is being pursued by both the corporation and the government for selling state secrets.

His recent memories were erased so he has no idea what took place. The only clues he has are a bag full of objects that come in handy in moments of crisis.

When he tries to recreate his past and has memory flashes, the film takes an interesting "Memento" like turn. But as the film edges closer to the conclusion, it becomes increasingly formulaic and unbelievable. When the film runs out of ideas towards the end, the viewer must suffer through endless car chases and improbable action sequences.

Not many normal electricians can elude or mow down dozens of armed professional hired thugs. The film ends up being one more cinematic video game. "Paycheck" should provide enough thrills to please the average action fan, but hardcore science fiction fans may be disappointed.

Some interesting themes (such as the connection between memory and personality and the corporatization of science) are introduced, but they are never adequately explored.

"Paycheck" is not a complete bomb. It has some exciting sequences and it was moderately entertaining as a free screening, but I would have been disappointed if I had paid full price.