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Paycheck

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Paycheck

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Summary

Sci-fi action thriller directed by John Woo and based on a short story by Philip K Dick, starring Ben Affleck, Aaron Eckhart and Uma Thurman. Computer genius Michael Jennings undertakes the last in a series of lucrative, top-secret corporate projects that require his memory to be wiped on completion. Emerging with no recollection of the past three years, he's baffled to discover he's forfeited his pay in favour of an envelope of apparently worthless items. To make matters worse, his previous employers are intent on killing him.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 2 out of 5.

Sloan Freer

On paper, at least, this science-fiction thriller oozes potential. The film boasts Uma Thurman (red hot after Kill Bill), a script based on a Philip K Dick short story and action maestro John Woo as director. Unfortunately, it's a case of a nice idea poorly executed as electronics genius Ben Affleck undertakes the last in a series of lucrative, top-secret corporate projects that require a memory-wipe on completion. Emerging with no recollection of the three years that have passed, including a relationship with biologist Thurman, he's baffled to discover he's forfeited his pay in favour of an envelope of apparently worthless items. Woo's vision of the future is an uninspiring, under-stylised twist on the present, and the scanty use of his trademark set pieces, combined with Affleck and Thurman's unconvincing performances, make this pedestrian plodder a lazy disappointment. It feels more made-for-video than big budget and, though the picture narrowly escapes being a complete failure, you expect so much more from everyone involved.

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6.3/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameMichael JenningsBen AffleckRethrickAaron EckhartRachel PorterUma ThurmanShortyPaul GiamattiWolfeColm FeoreAgent DodgeJoe MortonAgent KleinMichael C HallMaya / RachelIvana MilicevicJudeCallum Keith Rennie

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Crew

rolenameDirectorJohn Woo

Details

Theatrical distributor

UIP

Released on

2004-01-16

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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