The Punisher
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Movie Reviews of The Punisher
Movie Review: great 80's Punisher movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is great for what it is: an 80's Punisher movie. It's also the type of movie that seperates those who enjoy a great action movie from the more dogmatic and less fun. Take a look at the reviews on this site and you'll see what I mean. Action fans, who have read some Punsher comics and think it's a fun character, know an 80's action movie when they see one and can appreciate them for what they are: escapism. They enjoyed this movie.You also have the flip side of the coin. These folks can't get past the Punisher's shirt, his having the wrong number or gender of kids, the wrong mobsters being the baddies, the wrong form of execution of his family (it's a car bomb in the movie), the wrong location of the execution (it's not in Central Park)...etc. and this is not a happy bunch. They aren't happy when Dolph is super-heroic and they aren't happy when he's more human and his shirt really bugs them.
Do any of these changes really get in the way of the movie being a great 80's action film. No. It's still a decent and entertaining movie, but they would disagree. "The Punisher has on the wrong shirt" is a major complaint, and "the new movie will be better" they hoped in vain. "Better" meant more true in every little detail to the book with no changes.
Now the '04 Punisher has arrived. Other than the shirt is the 2004 Punisher free of many of the "problems" that geekdom has with the '89 movie? Not really. Once again it seems the bad guy isn't exactly right in the new one, the Punisher's family isn't exactly right, and they are killed in Puerto Rico and not in Central Park...etc. and once again there will be folks that won't be happy. They are very "by the book" and the word escapism apparently is not in their book.
Is the 2004 Punisher a good movie? I think so. So is the 1989 Punisher. It is what it is: a great 80's action movie. Take it for what it is and have fun. Check out the '04 Punisher for additional fun BUT, if you demand that every single aspect of a movie be like the comic version then don't watch any movie with the title "The Punisher". Ever. The '89 version, as with the '04 version, are strictly for those of us who enjoy a little escapism in the form of a good action/adventure movie. The Punisher '89, like the '04 version, is a good action flick.
Movie Review: THE PUNISHER Review!
Summary: 3 Stars
Not to be confused with its 2004 remake, Mark Goldblatt's dark and unapologeticly violent comic book adaption from 1989 takes onscreen brutality to a new level. Dolph Lundgren is a former cop, believed to have been murdered in a car bomb that ended his family's life, who exacts revenge on the crime syndicate that he believes is responsible. Louis Gossett, Jr. is a cop who believes that all of these murders are in fact being caused by his former partner. With the mafia bosses suffering such massive losses, the head of the Yakuza enters and violent assurts herself into the acquation, kidnapping the bosses' children and holding them for ransom. With nowhere else to turn, the bosses call on "The Punisher" for an unlikely alliance. "Punisher" is excessively violent. There are torture scenes, bloody shoot-outs, and more than a few people getting kicked in the face with blade-tipped shoes. The story, courtesy of Boaz Yakin, does have a sense of humor though. Most of the film's big laughs come from Barry Otto's drunken out-of-work theatre peformer who doubles as Lundgren's unwilling sidekick. Lundgren himself gets to drop a few funny one-liners as well while Louis Gossett and Jeroen Krabbe give performances that prove worthy of their resume. The relatively-unknown Kim Myori is also great as the super evil Yakuza boss.
As far as full-length comic book movies go, this one is not quite on the level of Tim Burton's "Batman" or Sam Raimi's "Spider Man" but there have certainly been a lot worse.
Movie Review: UNDERRATED SHOOT 'EM UP
Summary: 4 Stars
Marvel's Punisher has long been one of my favorite comic book characters. Not really a superhero, the Punisher is a flesh & blood mortal possessed by an insatiable hunger for vengeance on the underworld which murdered his wife and children. Very much an anti-hero, the Punisher is the ultimate vigilante who brings retribution to those whom the law either will not or cannot, neither asking nor giving any quarter in his unending one-man war on criminals everywhere.New World International's 1989 adaptation of the benighted comic book crusader is better than its usually given credit for. Starring the oft-maligned Dolph Lundgren, "The Punisher" largely succeeds in bringing the comic to life. Lundgren's raw, atheletic presence dominates the picture, and if Lundgren doesn't bring home any Oscars he proves once again to be a highly capable action hero, which is more than most people can lay claim to. While the script isn't exactly philosophical, Lundgren infuses his character with menace, nobility, and a certain tragic weariness that comes off just right, while the two brief opening and closing inner dialogues between the Punisher and God add great emotional depth to the story.
Lou Gossett Jr. is his usual excellent self as the cop out to crack the Punisher's case and also the vigilante's best friend, and Nancy Everhard is pleasant (if unnecessary) as Gossett's partner while Jerden Krabbe is tough and believable as a mobster that the Punisher must form an uneasy alliance with. A down-on-his-luck actor who becomes the Punisher's street informant, a ruthless female Yakuza and her high-kicking mute daughter round out the impressive cast of characters.
The sets are mean and dark, the action hard-hitting and well-staged, and the overall atmosphere gritty and exciting. Unlike some action flix, this one doesn't waste any time getting revved up, either. The body count starts almost as soon as the opening credits are over. Director Mark Goldblatt sets up one unflinching action shot after the other like ducks in a shooting gallery. The score is excellent, and fits both character and story perfectly.
Having said all that, there are some significant flaws. The plot itself is quite good (the Punisher's war on crime is interrupted by an invasion of the local mob by they Yakuza, who kidnap all the mobsters' children forcing the Punisher to become a rescuer of the innocent instead of an avenger of the guilty). However, the script has a lot of holes and the dialogue is sometimes silly. Moreover, like most modern comic book adaptations, the dialogue is often vulgar--ironic considering most of the Punisher's fans were and are probably quite young. But that says more about our culture and where it's at than it does this partular movie, and in any event it's a lot less raunchy or bloody than the likes of "Blade" (another comic book movie). I doubt that many modern teenagers would be even remotely offended. Further, one frequently gets the feeling more than one important scene ended up on the cutting room floor. I bet there is some potentially restored footage that might flesh things out a bit. Ultimately this is a low-budget movie with all the inevitable weaknesses--more money would have created more spectacular action and bigger thrills.
But if this is a B-movie it's still a good one. Now of course a big-budget Punisher is on the way and I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be even bigger and better than this version, but right now that still remains to be seen. Regardless, if you were ever a fan of the Punisher comic book or just like a solid action flick, you could do a whole lot worse than this one.
Movie Review: Super Thanks For Asking!!
Summary: 5 Stars
My whole life on this world i have been subjected to bad movies. I mean i have seen some really bad movies from tombstone to jay and silentbob strike back, but this movie right here was a breath of fresh air. This movie's story line was on point with the comic unlike pieces of crap comic turned movies like the first batman and the tobey magayier spiderman movie. For $3 you cant beat that at all. i bought 20 one for my grandma who broke her hip, one for my cousin in toronto because you know canadains have no good movie sense, one for my mom because she thinks dolf is an underrated actor, and the other 17 are for my personal use because i found out with good movies people dont tend to return them once barrowed. So get some copies its a great movie.Movie Review: Great Fun!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Don;t listen to the comic dorks, so what of it isn't a straight adaptation " he doesn't have a skull" Big Deal. I grew up on Punisher comics (the Jim Lee Punisher War Journals were great) and the movie does have the essence of Punisher. At least its not dumbed down, as the body count is up there. Yes, granted the acting is not the best (although Dolph I thought was great) and nether is the casting (the Italian Mafia is not very Italian). Overall its fun to watch and that's what its for. An excellent 80's B action movie.You could find this in Wal-mart for $4.99 Buy this movie.