Max Payne Explained

Max Payne
Genre:Third-person shooter
Developer:Remedy Entertainment (2001–2003; 2022–present)
Rockstar Studios (2012)
Publisher:Gathering of Developers (2001, PC)
Rockstar Games
Composer:Kärtsy Hatakka (1–2)
Kimmo Kajasto (1–2)
Perttu Kivilaakso (2)
Health (3)
Platforms:
First Release Version:Max Payne
First Release Date:July 23, 2001
Latest Release Version:Max Payne 3
Latest Release Date:May 15, 2012

Max Payne is a neo-noir third-person shooter video game series developed by Remedy Entertainment (Max Payne and Max Payne 2) and Rockstar Studios (Max Payne 3). The series is named after its protagonist, Max Payne, a New York City police detective turned vigilante after his family was murdered by drug addicts. The first two installments were written by Sam Lake, while Max Payne 3 was primarily written by Rockstar Games' Dan Houser.

The first game in the series, Max Payne, was released for Windows in 2001 and for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Apple Macintosh in 2002; a different version of the game was released for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. A sequel, titled was released for PlayStation 2, Windows, and Xbox in 2003. In 2008, a movie adaptation, loosely based on the original game, entitled Max Payne, was released, starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis in the roles of Max Payne and Mona Sax, respectively. Max Payne 3 was developed by Rockstar Studios and released for PlayStation 3, Windows, and Xbox 360 in 2012.

In November 2021, Microsoft announced that in celebration of 20 years of Xbox, they would be adding over 70 more games to their backwards compatibility program. Headlining these games was the Max Payne trilogy, making the games available to play on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S[1]

The franchise is notable for its use of "bullet time" in action sequences, as well as being positively received by critics.[2] [3] As of 2011, the Max Payne franchise has sold over 7.5 million units.[4] The film rendition received negative reviews but was commercially successful.[5] [6]

In April 2022, Remedy announced that a remake of Max Payne and Max Payne 2 is in development, in a development agreement with Rockstar Games. The two games will be released as a single title.[7]

Games

Max Payne

See main article: Max Payne (video game).

Renegade DEA agent and former NYPD officer Max Payne attempts to hunt down the ones responsible for murdering his wife and child, as well as framing him for the murder of his NYPD partner, Alex Balder. As the story unfolds, he gains a number of "allies", including Vladimir Lem (a suave, old-fashioned Russian mobster) and Mona Sax (a vigilante who is out to avenge the death of her twin sister) and uncovers a major conspiracy involving the trafficking of a narcotic called V, or Valkyr—after the mythological figures in Norse mythology—which is somehow connected to the death of Max's family.

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

See main article: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne.

Two years after the first game, Max Payne has rejoined the NYPD and has been cleared of the charges for his killing spree thanks to his connection to Senator Alfred Woden, the leader of a secret society called the Inner Circle. During a routine murder investigation, Max finds himself face-to-face with the fugitive Mona Sax, who reluctantly joins him in his investigation. As the two work together to uncover the truth, they begin to develop feelings for each other, and come across another major conspiracy, which this time involves Vladmir Lem, the Italian Mob, and the Inner Circle.

Max Payne 3

See main article: Max Payne 3.

Nine years after the second game, Max Payne has left New York and is working on a private security detail in São Paulo, Brazil. When the wife of his employer is kidnapped by a local street gang, Max and his old friend Raul Passos join forces in an attempt to rescue her, igniting a war that will lead them to confront a larger conspiracy.[8]

Remakes

Remedy, with funding from Rockstar who holds the rights to the series, announced plans to remake Max Payne and Max Payne 2 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in April 2022. At the time of the announcement, the remakes were at an early development state, and no planned release date was announced.[9] It was confirmed that the two games will be released as a single title.[10]

Film adaptation

See main article: Max Payne (film).

Early in 2003, it was confirmed that 20th Century Fox had bought the rights to adapt the game to film.[11] The Max Payne movie went into production in 2008 and was directed by John Moore. The movie was produced by Collision Entertainment and Firm Films in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[12] Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis[13] play the roles of Max Payne and Mona Sax respectively.[14] Beau Bridges, Chris O'Donnell, Nelly Furtado and Ludacris have roles as B.B. Hensley, Jason Colvin, Christa Balder and Jim Bravura respectively.[15] On July 10, 2008, a teaser trailer was released, featuring an instrumental version of the Marilyn Manson song, "If I Was Your Vampire".[16] The film was released to theaters in the U.S. on October 17, 2008, with a PG-13 rating.[17] While it was ranked first on its opening weekend, grossing US$18 million at the box office,[18] the film received mainly negative reviews, having a 16% rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 129 reviews.[19] In June 2022, 20th Century Studios announced that a Max Payne reboot movie is in development.[20]

Characters

Note: A gray cell indicates that the character does not appear in that medium.

CharacterGamesFilm
Max PayneMax Payne 3Max Payne
Cast
Max PayneJames McCaffreyMark Wahlberg
Mona SaxJulia MurneyWendy HoopesMila Kunis
Vladimir LemDominic HawksleyJonathan Davis 
Senator Alfred WodenJohn Randolph JonesJohn BradenJohn Randolph Jones 
Vinnie GognittiJoe DalloFred Berman 
Lt. Jim BravuraPeter AppelVince Viverito Ludacris
Nicole HorneJane Gennaro
Michelle PayneHaviland MorrisCharacter is silent Marianthi Evans
Alex BalderChris Philips Donal Logue
B.B. HensleyAdam Grupper Beau Bridges
Don Angelo PunchinelloJoe Ragno Joe Ragno 
Jack LupinoJeff Gurner Jeff GurnerAmaury Nolasco
Joey & Virgilio FinitoTye Reign 
Rico Muerte Joe Maruzzo 
Candy DawnJoanie Ellen 
Frankie "The Bat" NiagaraBruce Kronenberg 
Boris DimePeter Appel 
Vince MugnaioCharacter is silent 
Pilate "Big Brother" ProvidenceCharacter is silent 
Joe "Deadpan" SalemCharacter is silent 
Lisa Punchinello / Natasha SaxCharacter is silent Olga Kurylenko
Det. Valerie Winterson Jennifer Server 
Kaufman Gregory Sims 
Mike "The Cowboy" Gary Yudman 
Annie Finn Kimberly Howard 
Senator Sebastian Gates Character is silent 
Corcoran Character is silent 
Raul Passos Julian Dean 
Rodrigo Branco Frank Rodriguez 
Victor Branco Robert Montano 
Marcelo Branco Dillon Porter 
Fabiana Branco Benedita Aires Pereira 
Giovanna Taveres Shirley Rumierk 
Wilson Da Silva Stephen Girasuolo 
Serrano  Babs Olusanmokun 
Armando Becker Bira Castro 
Álvaro Neves Gil Cardoso 
Bachmeyer Gilberto Romagnolo 
Milo Rego Daniel Bittencourt 
Anthony DeMarco Ray Iannicelli 
Tony DeMarco Charlie Semine 
Arthur Fischer Marconi de Morais 
Anders Detling  Wayne Duvall 
Jason Colvin 
Christa Balder Nelly Furtado
Owen Green Joel Gordon
Lincoln DeNeuf 
Tattoo Artist 

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: November 15, 2021. Celebrate 20 years of Xbox with over 70 new Backward Compatible Games. live. 2021-12-15. Xbox Wire. en-US. November 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211130232409/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/11/15/70-new-backward-compatible-games/.
  2. Web site: Max Payne on Metacritic. Metacritic. November 29, 2008. October 26, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081026205924/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/maxpayne?q=max%20payne. live.
  3. Web site: Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne on Metacritic. Metacritic. November 29, 2008. March 28, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090328042949/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/maxpayne2?q=max%20payne. live.
  4. Web site: Grand Theft Auto IV Passes 22M Shipped, Franchise Above 114M . Orland . Kyle . September 14, 2011 . . November 12, 2011 . June 12, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163339/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37228/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV_Passes_22M_Shipped_Franchise_Above_114M.php . live .
  5. Web site: Film: Max Payne on Metacritic. Metacritic. November 29, 2008. November 4, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081104025038/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/maxpayne?q=max%20payne. live.
  6. Remedy Reflects On The Disappointing 2008 Max Payne Film. https://web.archive.org/web/20151129071302/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/11/27/remedy-reflects-on-the-2008-max-payne-film.aspx. dead. November 29, 2015. Kyle. Hilliard. Game Informer. 27 November 2015. 31 March 2024.
  7. News: Remedy Entertainment Enters Agreement with Rockstar Games for New Max Payne 1&2 Project . Remedy Entertainment . April 6, 2022 . April 6, 2022 . April 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220406205508/https://investors.remedygames.com/announcements/remedy-entertainment-enters-agreement-with-rockstar-games-for-new-max-payne-12-project/ . live .
  8. Web site: Max Payne 3 Announced!. March 23, 2009. March 23, 2009. RockstarWatch.net. January 4, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150104203921/http://www.rockstarwatch.net/news/734/Max-Payne-3-Announced. live.
  9. Web site: Rockstar, Remedy shake hands on new Max Payne 1+2 remaster series . Sam . Mackovech . April 6, 2022 . April 6, 2022 . . April 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220406223510/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/04/rockstar-remedy-shake-hands-on-new-max-payne-12-remaster-series/ . live .
  10. Web site: Peters . Jay . 2022-04-06 . Max Payne remakes are on the way . 2022-04-07 . The Verge . en . April 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220407150638/https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/6/23013920/max-payne-1-2-remakes-remedy-rockstar-take-two . live .
  11. Web site: Max Payne Movie . IGN . June 27, 2005 . June 24, 2007 . IGN Filmforce . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071023071002/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/629/629253p1.html . October 23, 2007 . mdy-all .
  12. Web site: Max Payne Movie Update . October 31, 2007 . November 9, 2007 . IGN . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071103195706/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/831/831652p1.html . November 3, 2007 . mdy-all .
  13. News: Killer role for Kunis in 'Max Payne . March 9, 2008 . March 10, 2008 . . Michael . Fleming . February 5, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090205202343/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982100.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 . live .
  14. News: Mark Wahlberg to star in 'Max' . Fleming, Michael . . November 8, 2007 . November 9, 2007 . November 9, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071109172128/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975641.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 . live .
  15. Web site: Max Payne (2008) – Cast and Credits – Yahoo! Movies . January 14, 2017 . May 22, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110522151142/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810007086/cast . live .
  16. News: First Max Payne Movie Trailer Released . Shacknews . July 10, 2008 . July 10, 2007 . September 13, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080913150252/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53528 . live .
  17. GamePro, Issue #234, March 2008. pg. 30
  18. Web site: Weekend Box Office Results from 10/17 to 10/19 . . October 21, 2008 . December 16, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081216041229/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2008&wknd=42&p=.htm . live .
  19. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/max_payne/ Max Payne Movie Reviews
  20. Web site: 20th Century Studios Puts A 'Max Payne' Reboot Project Into Early Development. Knightedge Media. Williams. Caleb. June 16, 2022. June 17, 2022.