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It's films like 1999's Payback that make you wonder why everyone seems to favour complex storylines, which also have a strong emphasis upon character development.

For Porter (Mel Gibson) it's not about how much money he has to get back from the people that stole it from him, but the whole principle of the thing. It's a simple premise, but this is more than just another revenge movie: Porter is a tough guy with a moral code, which separates him from the usual criminal underworld. Porter appears as cocky, smooth talking bad guy who the audience roots for, due to Gibson's likable Hollywood charm.

The roster of characters is what makes Payback so entertaining to watch. Val (Gregg Henry) and Porter’s wife (Maria Bello) are the ones memorable for stealing the money in first instance; Lucy Liu has a small role as a feisty bondage practitioner; Bill Duke (Predator) and Jack Conley are the menacing crooked cops; and Kris Kristofferson is great as old man Bronson.

The whole film is shot in dark tones of grey and blue to set the atmosphere of a gritty 1970s crime underworld; this is particularly effective during the brutal torture scene, where Porter has his toes smashed individually with a hammer. Definitely uncomfortable, if very engrossing viewing.

Payback is a classic action/crime thriller with stylistic, contemporary qualities. It's seedy, violent and even admirably funny in places. Overall, the film is a lot of fun to watch, showcasing the bloodied triumph of Porter, the anti-hero, over the greed of the surrounding characters. As he puts it: "Nice guys are fine: you have to have somebody to take advantage of... but they always finish last."

(C) Andy Carrington, 2009.