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Payback (1999) Rank 3 Reviews

Expert Review Summary
Movie critics combined give Payback (1999) a score of 2.6840 out of 4
based on (89) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Excellent
4
Excellent
(10)
Very Good
3
Very Good
(56)
Good
2
Good
(17)
Fair
1
Fair
(6)
Poor
0
Poor
(0)
Reviews by Score:
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.28 out of 4 stars for San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
...read the complete Payback movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
...read the complete Payback movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie VoiceFilm Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
America's favorite Australian sheepherder is back in the movie with the tagline, GET READY TO ROOT FOR THE BAD GUY. Not necessarily the bad guy, per se, so much as a raging sociopath hell-bent for revenge. Why Mel Gibson plays Porter, a career ...read the complete Payback movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
Mel Gibson is a different case entirely. There has always been something genuinely unstable behind his eyes when he wants there to be MAD MAX, the original LETHAL WEAPON, CONSPIRACY THEORY but also something genuinely wounded that makes his ...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.25 out of 4 stars for Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Two small time thieves named Val (Henry,Star Trek: Insurrection)and Porter (Gibson,Lethal Weapon 4)put the moves on a Chinese gang to steal $140,000. They are supposed to split it evenly, but Val needs the money to get back into the syndicate for more big ...read the complete Payback movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.22 out of 4 stars for A german review of the movieA german review of the movie
...read the complete Payback movie review at A german review of the movie
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.19 out of 4 stars for A Guide To Current Film ReviewA Guide To Current Film Review
...read the complete Payback movie review at A Guide To Current Film Review
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.18 out of 4 stars for DVD TimesDVD Times
...read the complete Payback movie review at DVD Times
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.15 out of 4 stars for DVD Review: "Payback"DVD Review: "Payback"
Mel Gibson is supremely entertaining in this funny, dramatic and brutal noir comedy/drama. The film has a casualness and coolness about it that is wild, a hoot and simply a whole lot of fun. The story starts by introducing us to Gibson's character, ...read the complete Payback movie review at DVD Review: "Payback"
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.12 out of 4 stars for Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Helgeland's film positively seethes with bad vibrations; 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. ...read the complete Payback movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.08 out of 4 stars for AmateurHomeTheater.comAmateurHomeTheater.com
...read the complete Payback movie review at AmateurHomeTheater.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.06 out of 4 stars for The Critic's Homepage- Payback ReviewThe Critic's Homepage- Payback Review
...read the complete Payback movie review at The Critic's Homepage- Payback Review
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.04 out of 4 stars for At-A-Glance Film ReviewsAt-A-Glance Film Reviews
...read the complete Payback movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.02 out of 4 stars for DVDLard - Region 2 DVD ReviewDVDLard - Region 2 DVD Review
...read the complete Payback movie review at DVDLard - Region 2 DVD Review
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.01 out of 4 stars for Christian Spotlight on the MoviesChristian Spotlight on the Movies
...read the complete Payback movie review at Christian Spotlight on the Movies
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
``Not many people know what their life's worth,'' the hero of ``Payback'' tells us right at the beginning. ``I do. Seventy grand. That's what they took from me. And that's what I'm gonna ...read the complete Payback movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
As we meet Porter, he's near death. On a dirty kitchen table, an "doctor" is operating on him. Pouring cheap whiskey over Porter's back as an antiseptic, the doctor extracts slugs from Porter's back. The story concerns Porter's attempt to get back his ...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
...read the complete Payback movie review at SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
There is much cleverness and ingenuity in Payback, but Mel Gibson is the key. The movie wouldn't work with an actor who was heavy on his feet, or was too sincere about the material. ...read the complete Payback movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for ReelViews (James Berardinelli)ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Payback is surprisingly stylish for an action-oriented thriller. Its look is pure film noir, with de-saturated colors emphasizing the grayness of the city streets and gloomy interiors. The voiceover narrative (which, thankfully, isn't ...read the complete Payback movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Movies for GuysMovies for Guys
Oh, and Lucy Liu's character is great! Hubba hubba... ...read the complete Payback movie review at Movies for Guys
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Paying homage to the likes of Dirty Harry, Charles Bronson and Starsky and Hutch ... "Payback" is a "Death Wish" of the '90s. Opening with a late '60s secret-agent theme and filmed in a grainy bluish ...read the complete Payback movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Criminy Pete's Knee Jerk SpoilersCriminy Pete's Knee Jerk Spoilers
...read the complete Payback movie review at Criminy Pete's Knee Jerk Spoilers
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
Like I did with "American History X," I wonder if there's a different cut of "Payback," a Director's Cut if you will, that is significantly better than the one I saw. As you've probably heard, as it was official controversy, both films were subject to ...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Movielocity Movie Reviews (Blake Kunisch)Movielocity Movie Reviews (Blake Kunisch)
Mel Gibson's latest movie Payback is less than spectacular. Although the tagline is "Get Ready to Root for the Bad Guy," Porter (Gibson) isn't really the bad guy in this movie. He's just one of the bad guys with even worse guys after him. Even though ...read the complete Payback movie review at Movielocity Movie Reviews (Blake Kunisch)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 3.00 out of 4 stars for Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)
In the very first moments of Payback, Mel Gibson's narration is directed largely into that subwoofer channel. As he speaks in a film noir-style voiceover, the sound rumbles inside your chest like the voice of God or Darth Vader. It's obviously a ...read the complete Payback movie review at Deep Focus (Bryant Frazer)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.99 out of 4 stars for kids-in-mind.comkids-in-mind.com
Mel Gibson stars as a relatively likable criminal who goes on a revenge spree against his wife (Deborah Kara Unger), his ex-partner (Gregg Henry), and the crime syndicate they work for, after they double-cross him and try to kill him. Based on the novel ...read the complete Payback movie review at kids-in-mind.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.97 out of 4 stars for UTK Daily Beacon (Andrew Payne)UTK Daily Beacon (Andrew Payne)
...read the complete Payback movie review at UTK Daily Beacon (Andrew Payne)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.96 out of 4 stars for Almost Fabulous Movie ReviewsAlmost Fabulous Movie Reviews
...read the complete Payback movie review at Almost Fabulous Movie Reviews
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.95 out of 4 stars for DVDTown (John J. Puccio)DVDTown (John J. Puccio)
...read the complete Payback movie review at DVDTown (John J. Puccio)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.94 out of 4 stars for DVD ReviewDVD Review
...read the complete Payback movie review at DVD Review
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.94 out of 4 stars for Tiscali UKTiscali UK
...read the complete Payback movie review at Tiscali UK
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.93 out of 4 stars for Chicago NewCityNet (Ray Pride)Chicago NewCityNet (Ray Pride)
...read the complete Payback movie review at Chicago NewCityNet (Ray Pride)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.91 out of 4 stars for Movie Ram-blingsMovie Ram-blings
...read the complete Payback movie review at Movie Ram-blings
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.88 out of 4 stars for LowComDom Online Film ReviewsLowComDom Online Film Reviews
...read the complete Payback movie review at LowComDom Online Film Reviews
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.87 out of 4 stars for Stockholm Film Review:PaybackStockholm Film Review:Payback
...read the complete Payback movie review at Stockholm Film Review:Payback
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.84 out of 4 stars for Anchorage Press (Brenda Sokolowski)Anchorage Press (Brenda Sokolowski)
...read the complete Payback movie review at Anchorage Press (Brenda Sokolowski)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.82 out of 4 stars for Cutscene - uk reviewCutscene - uk review
...read the complete Payback movie review at Cutscene - uk review
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Dallas Observer (Andy Klein)Dallas Observer (Andy Klein)
Helgeland makes a solid debut as director here, finding a new angle through which to view the Parker character, and doing so without exhausting the possibilities. ...read the complete Payback movie review at Dallas Observer (Andy Klein)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for Film Threat (Ron Wells)Film Threat (Ron Wells)
Rips out at least one dimension to reduce everything to archetypal good guys and bad guys, or bad guy and worse guys. ...read the complete Payback movie review at Film Threat (Ron Wells)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.80 out of 4 stars for MovieJuice! - Satirical Review of PaybackMovieJuice! - Satirical Review of Payback
...read the complete Payback movie review at MovieJuice! - Satirical Review of Payback
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.77 out of 4 stars for Mr. CrankyMr. Cranky
...read the complete Payback movie review at Mr. Cranky
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.77 out of 4 stars for Movie Vault (Dan Smith)Movie Vault (Dan Smith)
...read the complete Payback movie review at Movie Vault (Dan Smith)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.77 out of 4 stars for Rambles: Tom KnappRambles: Tom Knapp
...read the complete Payback movie review at Rambles: Tom Knapp
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)
PAYBACK is a long, gleefully sadistic sit. Screenwriter Brian Helgeland (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL) makes his directing debut in this mean-but-hardly-lean revenge thriller/Mel Gibson vehicle/featurelength pissing contest. Violent as all get out, it's also damn ...read the complete Payback movie review at Movie Hell (Michael J. Legeros)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for Nitrate OnlineNitrate Online
No more Mr. Nice Guy! If you thought crime in the streets was a problem, wait till you take a gander at Payback, a violent, sadistic mess guaranteed a number one finish its opening weekend based on star Mel Gibson’s allure, yet tarnished by his ...read the complete Payback movie review at Nitrate Online
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.75 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
To get into the spirit of the film, you must suspend your belief in logic and accept this as a hero fantasy story, with the hero being a tainted one, basically fighting for his own pride and perverted sense of ethics, as he figures his life is worth ...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.69 out of 4 stars for Anthony Leong's MediaCircusAnthony Leong's MediaCircus
...read the complete Payback movie review at Anthony Leong's MediaCircus
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.68 out of 4 stars for Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)
Payback is a thriller so mean and degraded it carries a low-down, vicious charge. Sadism is its only real subject, and its only real life as well. ...read the complete Payback movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Owen Gleiberman)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.68 out of 4 stars for Philadelphia City PaperPhiladelphia City Paper
...read the complete Payback movie review at Philadelphia City Paper
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.54 out of 4 stars for Megaklik - no nonsense movie reviews in SloveneMegaklik - no nonsense movie reviews in Slovene
...read the complete Payback movie review at Megaklik - no nonsense movie reviews in Slovene
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
There is nothing remotely realistic about "Payback," any two-bit crook trying to do what Porter does in this movie would be killed in very short order. Despite that, Gibson is charming when he's not being a murdering psychopath. James Coburn also has a ...read the complete Payback movie review at Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
But, that's just the beginning. By the time the movie is over, he will have beaten up a wormy drug dealer by ripping out his nose ring, cold-bloodedly executed one man in the head and another in the chest, incinerated three men in a car, incinerated ...read the complete Payback movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
Payback is a well made enough thriller, with good action and some nice jokes. Although the film tends to use over the top violence to achieve it's laughs, this is a enjoyable enough ride. Mel dominates the whole proceedings, and while he carries the ...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
Payback (1999) scores a combined 2.50 out of 4 stars for IMDB.comIMDB.com
Cowriter/director Brian Helgeland (who retains directing credit though "creative differences" with Gibson prompted him to leave the project before its completion) plays the rather scenario for a number of darkly tongueincheek laughs. After all, who ...read the complete Payback movie review at IMDB.com
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Payback (1999) Reviews
Payback (1999)

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.
Overall Rating:
2.7753
Payback (1999) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
Avg Critic Score:
2.6840
Payback (1999) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars
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