Painkiller Jane (2005)

Please don't spend money on this.

The movie's only flaw is also a virtue: It's jammed with characters, stories, warmth and laughs.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

While I don't watch movies on SCI/FI Channel this one I watch out of boredom.To my surprise I actually found a movie on the SCI/FI Channel that got my attention from start to finish.Painkiller Jane is inspired by the comic book character of the same name.The plot centers on the protagonist Captain Jane Elizabeth Browning played by Emmanuelle Vaugier gets exposed to a biochemical weapon that sudden gives her super human powers as healing powers, speed, strength.She later discovers that they want to use her as a test subject which promotes her to escape and comes to see there was more troubles than she realizes.While the plot may not be the most original it is enough to hold the viewer attention. The music is interesting with some rock songs to help tell the story.Painkiller Jane was actually a film that kept my interesting which is a rare for the channel.While it may seem like another SCI/FI Channel film that is going to be a mess it actually was enjoyable.With a interesting enough plot you might enjoy it. I give Painkiller Jane a 7 out of 10

For SyFy original movies Painkiller Jane is quite good. Most SyFy movies are garbage, but there are some tolerable ones out there and Painkiller Jane is one of them, in fact I'd go to say that it is also one of their better ones overall. And it is much better than the series that followed, which I never got into in all honesty. Sure the film is flawed, I didn't care for the twist ending, which was predictable and rather obvious, or for the rather clichéd villain and his motivations. The story is a good idea generally and has some good moments like some tense action, but the middle section does see it not as focused narratively and somewhat draggy in pace sometimes. Conversely, I actually found the filming to be quite good, I personally find the criticisms of jerky camera shots to apply to the series more than here, here it is much less hackneyed than most SyFy movies. The settings are less drab here too. Thankfully there is less of an emphasis thrown-in special effects, what effects there are are not that great but there have also been worse. The music is lovely, while most of the characters don't feel like underdeveloped props like they did in the series. The script is a mixed bag, again an improvement on most SyFy movies, there is evidence of wit and tension, but there are also bits that could have flowed better and felt rather forced. The acting is better than average and much more natural. Emmanuelle Vaugier is a beautiful woman and suitably charismatic and gritty, much more of a leading lady than the series' lead Kristiana Loken. In conclusion, a watchable movie that even with its flaws is better than most SyFy original movies and the series. 6/10 Bethany Cox

This is a reasonable TV pilot. I would even watch the series if only the SciFi channel would hire a military consultant to sufficiently cultivate the illusion of realism.Here are my military complaints: (1) The uniforms do not match the depicted branch of service. (2) The mixed-gender assault element in the beginning of the film is unbelievable. (3) The Aliens-style crab-walk-with-a-rifle does not pass even school-children's idea of tactical muster.The protagonist is believable in other respects, not to mention physically attractive without crossing the 1950's Amazon Action Heroine threshold. The directing seemed inspired, the casting excellent, and the acting well above the level demanded by the mediocre script!Ich_Yama's SciFi-meter:(BBB: 1 primary character)(BEM: None)(World: Present/near-future)(Preference: Conspiracy theorists)

Movie contains no real surprises but held my interest for the duration. Plot as described in other posts. "Dark Angel" comparisons are obvious even though the comic book that this movie is based on pre-dated that show. Characters are attractive and likable but needed more development and background. *****spoiler*****Some special effects like when she heals herself from a high powered rifle shot and the bullet spontaneously ejects from her abdomen are pretty cool. Bad and good guys are obvious and I agree with a previous poster that the "twist ending" is not a twist anymore. Romance is hinted at but plays no part in the film if that is what you are looking for and like in a movie. Tate Donovan plays against type as scientist involved in the plot.****end spoiler****As stated previously, it is an obvious setup for a series or sequel (depending on ratings is my guess). I have never read the comic book that this is based on but I will look for it now after seeing the movie