This isn’t a straightforward remake of John Boorman's 1967 film Point Blank; its structure differs significantly. While Point Blank stands as a celebrated dark psychological thriller within the neo-noir genre, this film from director Brian Helgeland should be considered a distinct adaptation of Donald E. Westlake's novel The Hunter. Mel Gibson portrays Porter, a hardened thief who is betrayed, shot, and left for dead by his wife Lynn (Deborah Kara Unger) and his criminal partner Val Resnick (Gregg Henry). The story follows Porter’s dark pursuit to recover the $70,000 that nearly cost him his life. He seeks only what he's owed and is prepared to do whatever it takes to get it, including confronting Chicago’s organized crime syndicate known as The Outfit. Payback presents a brutal and violent narrative, consistently emphasizing unpleasantness. It features characters who are deeply flawed and often reprehensible; even Porter, the closest thing to an anti-hero, possesses a darkness within him. He's a disagreeable killer, and the film embodies its tagline: "Get Ready To Root For The Bad Guy!" As he moves through Chicago’s underbelly, Porter encounters corrupt police officers, drug dealers and addicts, Asian gangsters, prostitutes, individuals with violent tendencies, and the leadership of the Chicago mob. There is no sense of cheerfulness to be found here. The film's aesthetic draws inspiration from classic film noir and 1970s crime films like Dirty Harry and Death Wish. The filmmakers initially intended to shoot it in black and white but opted for a de-saturation technique—a bleach bypass process—that gives the visuals a bleak, gray-blue tone. The music complements the mood effectively, and the soundtrack is well-chosen (it’s nice to hear Voodoo Chile), while Porter's voiceover narration evokes the classic noir era and works well because it isn't overused. The film heavily relies on Mel Gibson’s ability to convey menace and a degree of sympathy as the vengeful Porter, and he successfully manages both. He is supported by a strong cast, including Maria Bello, who delivers an impressive transition from television work, Lucy Liu, who is both amusing and strikingly attractive as a dominatrix, and Gregg Henry, who is simply wild. William Devane, James Coburn, and Kris Kristofferson appear within The Outfit’s hierarchy, all making slick and welcome contributions, even if their roles are somewhat limited due to the story's requirements. Bill Duke, David Paymer, and Jack Conley complete the impressive lineup of unsavory characters. Violent, terse, and darkly humorous, Payback is among the best remakes available and a crucial neo-noir film. 8.5/10 Note: Director Helgeland released his own director's cut in 2006. Dissatisfied with the original version, he altered some of the structure and visual elements and shortened it by ten minutes. In my view, this version is not as good as the initial 100-minute cut, losing much of its noir style; however, the final section differs and will likely appeal to others.

Source on TMDB