Gamertell

When it was announced that Max Payne, the third-person action game developed by Rockstar, would receive the cinematic treatment, gamers were excited. After all, the game was regarded as one of the best in terms of storytelling and thus did an excellent job in allowing players to empathize with Payne’s various tribulations throughout the experience.

Sadly, those heightened expectations did not lead to critical praise, as it was roundly criticized by reviewers left and right. By the time the dust settled, Max Payne would end up being dismissed by everyone as just another failed example of a video game property making an unsuccessful transition to the world of cinema.

However, despite the metaphorical bullet wounds that Max Payne received from critics, he managed to claw his way to the top of the box office, grossing $18 million and shooting past W. and Beverly Hills Chihuahua to claim monetary supremacy. Payne’s dismissal of W. was surprising considering the higher expectations that were attached to the movie, since it was, after all, based on the life of our current sitting president.

With Payne’s ascendancy to the box-office throne (at least for this week), one wonders whether or not sequels will be considered to Max Payne? All I can say is that if this project is given another green light, whoever chooses to direct it should do their best to address the criticisms that were levied against original Max Payne film. If not, critics will be more than happy to unleash another round of pain on the finished product.

Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Reuters] Also Read [Gamertell]