My bullet time

I'm excited. Max Payne comes out in theaters this Friday, and I have high-hopes... especially after reading that the director made sure "bullet-time" was in the film.

One of the coolest parts of the original PC game was the the bullet-time. Sure, they copied it from the Matrix, but who wouldn't?

One thing I've always wondered though... is Max Payne slowing time to dodge the bullets, or is he simply moving really fast like Neo or Superman? It's probably the latter, but I think the first would be more plausible.

Think about it. You're engaging bullet-time by moving extremely fast. Have you ever tried to run around corners at full speed? Or keep control of a car racing at 300 MPH from the cops? I imagine it's quite difficult, especially if there are objects in the way (like other cars).

You see a bullet being fired in your general direction, and you quickly move out of the way... but what if you move too fast or aren't paying attention, and run into another bullet instead, or a low hanging lamp? Not only do you have to MOVE fast, you have to THINK fast, and be aware of your surroundings.

Wouldn't it be much easier just to slow time and move around normally? I mean, the point of bullet-time is to make sure you have enough time to make the RIGHT decision. Maybe that's why Max Payne is such a bad-ass. He has time to dodge the bullet AND heat up a hot-pocket for dinner.

That's my kind of hero.