Is there a way to by pass all of the background story? I think it's actually consuming more of my time than playing the game. Quite angervating, if I wanted a story I'd read a book.
My wife would also like it a great deal if I couldn't use "I have to get to a checkpoint to save my game, then I'll change his diaper" as an excuse anymore.

i thought at first it was a disk problem as the disk i had was a pre owned one so i changed it i have now had three pre owned all did the same thing i have just bought a brand new one yet to try it though .i would love to finish this game

I bought it new, and it does work, and it is a great game. With many shooters, hitting the spacebar or esc during the little movies that play will turn the movie off and go straight to the actual gameplay, which is why I'm there.
My wife is, I suspect, a wife. This is my second, both new, both irritate the hell out of me whenever the opportunity presents itself. Try to take a short nap in my house, I dare you. When she wants (wants as opposed to needs) help, she expects me to instantly stop what I'm doing and get on mission. I don't really mind, unless I'm in a position where stopping what I am doing will undo what I have already done. So being able to save my game at will is a real help with marriage maintenance. I do recommend marriage, by the way. While it has drawbacks, the benefits are endless, even children are a lot of joy, and it all brings a sense of being LOVED and needed, much gratification, and let's not forget pride, as in when your son, who is 4, hits a baseball for the first time, or catches his first fish. Well worth the downsides.