So much of "Paycheck" is engaging and interesting, that is a shame that the entire film collapses in the last half hour.

Ben Affleck stars as Michael Jennings, a man hired to steal technology from other companies and make it better for the company that has hired him. After that, his memory is erased and he is paid. Soon, he is offered a job that will take three years, but he would be paid millions. He accepts it, and wakes up, three years of his life gone. When he goes to collect his money, he finds that he had forfeited his pay and only receives an envelope containing 19 items. Soon, he is being chased by assassins and he realizes that the 19 items are the only clues he has to figuring everything out.

This intriguing premise plays out well in the first hour and half of the movie. Director John Woo abandons his usual trademarks (dual pistols, pigeons, slo-mo, etc.) and delivers a decent, mildly engaging thriller.

The action scenes involve evasion and trickery rather than shooting and diving sideways in slow motion. There is even an exciting motorcycle chase that really had me on the edge of my seat. It's some really good stuff. Film buffs may even notice several clever Hitchcock homages (the most obvious paying tribute to "North by Northwest").

Despite a decent first two thirds, "Paycheck" throws it all out the window for the climax. Woo reverts to the usual shoot and dive format. Gone is the suspense. Just fists, blood, and bangs. Despite that, it's very flat. It's John Woo in PG-13.

The acting isn't bad, but not great. Ben Affleck is by no means a great actor, but he handles himself well. The supporting cast gets the job done, but what really disappoints me is the role played by Uma Thurman. Thurman is one of my favorite actresses, and she is always fun to watch, but she is cast in the generic heroine/girlfriend role. She tries, but not even Meryl Streep could put life in this character.

Despite these troubles, "Paycheck" is fun, and for awhile, brilliant. If it's a rainy afternoon, and this is on video, rent something else. If everything else is gone, rent this.

© Written by Jacob Hall

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - D Richard Propes - C Jacob Hall - C

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