The Punisher
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Movie Reviews of The Punisher
Movie Review: Crime Must Be Punished...
Summary: 5 Stars
When comic book movies began making their comeback during the last few years, most of the movies were based on very well known characters from Marvel and DC Comics. After a string of hits, Marvel decided to try their hand at adapting a character that isn't as well known, and in fact had already been adapted miserably in the early 90's, the character is The Punisher.
The story for "The Punisher" begins when undercover agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) is working on a drug sting, but the sting doesn't go as planned and a few of the criminals die in the process. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, except for one of the criminals is the son of Howard Saint (John Travolta), the biggest crime boss in Miami. With the death of his son, Howard, places a hit on Frank Castle and his entire family. Saint's thugs do as they're told, and assault Frank and his family during a vacation. After being left for dead, Frank comes to, only to discover that his entire family has been murdered, and that he's badly wounded. Once on the mend, Frank begins to plot his revenge and deliver his own brand of punishment for Howard Saint and his criminal empire.
This movie was quite impressive for a comic book adaptation. I thought it captured the character of Frank Castle really well. Easily lets the viewer forget about the dismal "The Punisher" movie featuring Dolph Lungdren in the title role from 1992. This movie featuring a strong cast, headed by Thomas Jane who does an excellent job capturing the devastation/depression of his family's murder, and channelling those emotions into vengeance. John Travolta does a very good job playing the villain as usual, and you can tell he's enjoying this role. The rest of the cast deliver strong supporting roles especially Rebecca Romijn and Ben Foster who bring Frank's eccentric new neighbors to life.
The setups for the punishments are done very nicely, Frank is not just picking them off simply by shooting them as one might expect, rather Castle goes through an elaborate setup to take his revenge on the man who murdered his family, Howard Saint. Nice adaptation of the characters Mr. Bumpo, Spacker Dave, and Joan from the Garth Ennis comics. The violence is not gratuitous or over the top in the least, all very well done. The only true complaints I have are very minor, the biggest being that nothing occurs in New York which is where Marvel's characters generally reside, The Punisher among them. Also, they changed Frank Castle from being a Vietnam Vet into an undercover agent, which is fine I understand artistic license plus you want a young Frank Castle so that one's fine.
Overall very well done despite what the critics say about it. Very few problems, great action scenes, good acting. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a good action movie with a plot or just a comic book fan looking for a good adaptation.
"The Punisher" is rated R for violence and language.
Movie Review: Guns & Smarts
Summary: 5 Stars
My boyfriend dragged me to see this movie but after seeing the trailers and the other comic book movies (Spiderman, etc.), I didn't expect much. I'm not even a comic book fan. The people who marketed this movie made it seem like a pretty typical revenge movie, but it wasn't.
There is revenge, of course, but Frank Castle is anything but the typical, bumbling hero with just plain old guns and muscles out to kill everyone. Frank is out to kill people, but only those related to the death of his family. He is the tough guy sort, but not to look cool. He could care less. He's tough because he doesn't care about anything else anymore..he's lost everything that's meant anything to him. He's tough because he's out for reven...err.."punishment" and he's not afraid of dying. He kills without mercy and to tell you the truth, I'm glad he does, because these guys deserve it. He knows that the law could not reform these guys, but death can.
Anyhow, to keep this short, I loved the less cliche scenes. I am very much into romance and the majority of the movies I watch are romantic comedies, however I really liked how they don't use romance to reign in the audience's attention, especially when romance really doesn't have a place in this particular movie. It was about his devotion to the memory of his family, which I guess in some ways is romantic. He doesn't fall for the babe in the movie though, even though she tries to go for him. Another less than typical aspect of the movie I enjoyed was the fact that he really couldn't save everyone near and dear to him (like other movies). His family died and he couldn't help them. There were bad guys that were difficult to beat, but using his brain and awareness of his surroundings instead of some miraculous luck, he was able to defeat them. He got shot at certain times in the shooting scenes (but was smart enough to wear a bulletproof vest) so it wasn't like the bad guys had really bad aim. Lastly, I really enjoyed his whole plan at the end to defeat his enemy. He used his enemy's assumption that he was not a cunning, sly guy, (but a more brute force guy) against them. There are a lot more things about this movie I liked, but I can't think of all of them off the top of my head at the moment...mainly, I enjoyed the more realistic portrayal versus the comic book movies that have come out, as of late. The Punisher was a NORMAL guy who used his brain and skills to overcome his obstacles. Now, that is admirable!
Movie Review: I can hardly wait for the sequel...
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a surprise. I expected some lame mutt of a movie, something for toddlers. The R rating called my attention, and then there was John Travolta and Rebecca Romijn, and was in.
I found some illogical things, some stupid plot ommissions and other stuff. Then I went to the special features and listened to the comments of director Jonathan Hensleigh. I learned how much could not be filmed due to budget constrains and how the movie had to be trimmed, deleting an important sub-plot.
Well, he performed miracles with one third of the budget for an action movien and half the time to film it.
He decided not to use CGI, because it looks artificial. For once, I found somebody with whom I agree totally. Mr. Hensleigh went "old school" with this movie, to the delight of the audience and realism of the action scenes.
All the stunts were done in cold blood by skilled professionals, including Tom Jane who did most of his own. It shows. They are the real thing. Magnificent!
This movie is entertainment at its best. Wisely, Mr. Hensleigh avoided excessive gore and some unnecessary violence. He could be criticized for this, but he is honest to recognize it and voices his professional opinion.
All actors perform superbly and Ms. Laura Harring is perfect for her part. And, oh, so beautiful! Ms. Stamos shows a side of her that we did not know and was lovely and very human.
And Tom Jane should be placed up there among the best action heroes, together with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vin Diesel, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, and The Rock. Tom is superb. What a devotion to the cause! And such a grueling training schedule!
All said, this movie deserves not only a sequence but three or four times the budget, several months of shooting, and free hand for Mr. Hensleigh to do as he pleases.
Movie Review: SWEET REVENGE
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a comic book movie, folks. So if it plays like one, isn't that what was expected? Thomas Jane (Stander, Dreamcatcher, Deep Blue Sea) stars as Frank Castle, a special FBI agent, whose involvement in a sting operation results in the death of the son of a nasty criminal named Howard Saint (played by the ever evil John Travolta). Travolta's revenge is to have Castle killed, but dear Salome-like wife Livia (a torchy Laura Harring) wants Castle's whole family wiped out. This is accomplished at a family reunion of Castle's family on Puerto Rico. Dad Roy Scheider and Castle's whole family are brutally murdered; Castle himself is shot and left for dead. Mistake # 1, and it's a big one. Castle nurses himself back to health and sets out to even the score. He hides out in a dumpy apartment building, where his good neighbors include Rebecca Stamjin-Stamos in one of her best performances and the delightful Ben Foster as Dave, a nose/eyebrow/mouth-studded wimp whose loyalty and friendship are to be commended. The inclusion of this trio adds some warmth and humor to the otherwise dark proceedings.
Jonathan Hensleigh directs like a junior John Woo; the film is violent, and there are some exceptionally good action scenes. Kevin Nash as the Russian is awesome in his short battle with poor Frank.
Thomas Jane has been accused of being lifeless and dull--I found him very good in the role. If your whole family and life had been obliterated, how would YOU act? While vigilante justice isn't to be condoned, IN A FILM LIKE THIS, you cheer for Jane to take care of the vile group. Will Patton as the gay henchman, Samantha Mathis as Castle's doomed wife are also excellent.
Critically bombed unjustly, I recommend this film for people who like action and seeing justice served.
Movie Review: Best comic book movie of 2004
Summary: 5 Stars
The Punisher is hands down the best comic book movie of the year. Spider-Man 2 was overblown and careened off course too many times...and I won't even touch Catwoman.
Anyway, The Punisher was probably the most overexposed comic book character when I was growing up, riding the tide of the violent-comic craze of the late 80's/early 90's. At one point, I think he had 5 monthly titles (Punisher, War Journal, War Zone, Original Punisher, 2099), plus popped up in every other title at least once a year. Fortunately, Joe Quesada, Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon, and Tim Bradstreet came in to save the day a few years back, and Frank Castle is better than ever. While I really enjoyed this film in the theater, the DVD release is second-to-none, as far as comic releases go. Not only do you get the excellent film and the usual "behind-the-scenes" stuff, but - get this - interviews with REAL COMIC CREATORS. What a shock, huh? Plus, a nifty little comic book inside the case. I hope Marvel wakes up and has more input to put together packages like this for other releases. Remember, these characters came from comics...and if they're so concerned about selling more books as a result of the movie, throw a comic in there with the disc. Kudos to whoever came up with the BRILLIANT notion of keeping this flick close (enough) to the comic to keep fans happy, and thrill movie-goers.
Oh...the movie gets minus 0.25 of a star for the fact that John Travolta is in it...but I'm in a good mood, so we'll just say 5.