Demonstrates why Mel Gibson is a movie star: He can take mediocre material and through sheer willpower -- not to mention oodles of charm -- make it work.

Full Review | Nov 6, 2002

A higher class of thriller.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 18, 2002

It quickly slides into a Lethal Weapon without Danny Glover, complete with blowups and wisecracks, gratuitous torture scenes and Gibson in familiar form as the twinkling rascal who makes a virtue out of viciousness.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 22, 2002

Both star and director seem to be more interested in playing off perceptions of Gibson's on-screen persona than in actually telling the story, which lurches along from one violent set piece to the next.

Full Review | Mar 5, 2002

In the popcorn sense, it certainly delivers on mindless escapism. In the artistic sense, let's just say that Payback is a long way from Point Blank.

Full Review | May 11, 2001

It's undone not so much by the shadow of Lee Marvin falling heavily on it (which it does) as by the twin obstacles of big star image and, more to the point, excessive violence.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Feb 14, 2001

One big, ugly chase scene!

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

There is much cleverness and ingenuity in Payback.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

A mind-mangling disappointment, with a dopey sell-out ending.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Its smirking sense of humor and generic self-consciousness suggest that Payback would like to think of itself as a hip descendant of Pulp Fiction. But the movie is utterly devoid of narrative ingenuity and visual and dramatic flair.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Jan 1, 2000

Sadism is the film's only real subject, and its only real life as well.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Jan 1, 2000

It's kicky, nasty urban sangfroid with pointy little teeth and a serious case of the angries, an existential hand grenade disguised as a heist film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 1, 2000

It's a good, strong shot for fans who like their crime stories rough and no-nonsense.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

This film is riddled with cliches and impossible situations.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Morally bankrupt, but it's rich entertainment!

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Direction is choppy, the interplay between the characters is perfunctory, although not as perfunctory as the unearned ending.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

A sharp and funny script, understated acting, stylish.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Rehashed Quentin Tarantino or a rusted-out Pinto.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

Sadly, though, Payback finally puts Gibson at the mercy of a torture and sadism sequence so attenuated and so painful to watch that it sabotages the picture's own quite solid instincts for theater, innovation and wit.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4 | Jan 1, 2000