Punisher: Warzone The Movie
Punisher: War Zone is a 2008, action, comic book, anti-hero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics vigilante/anti-hero the Punisher. The film is an original telling of Frank Castle’s war on crime and corruption rather than a sequel to the graphic novel’s 2004 The Punisher movie, and is the first film to be produced under the Marvel Knights production banner, which will focus on films for mature audiences. British actor Ray Stevenson replaces Thomas Jane as Frank Castle. In the film, Castle wages a one-man war against a horribly disfigured mob boss known as Jigsaw (Dominic West). Punisher: War Zone was released in North America by Lionsgate on December 5, 2008, and was released February 6, 2009 in the United Kingdom.
“Punisher: War Zone” will probably be ranked as one of the worst movies of 2008. It certainly is the worse comic book movie of the year. But that’s only because Frank Castle’s exploits usually ends up with him blowing up the bad guy, and that’s about it. There is no “Dark Knight” drama in “War Zone”, although the Punisher’s theme music seems to be right out of that movie (which was one of 2008′s best films).
Just like Warner Bros.’ re-invented the Batman franchise with “Batman Begins” and Universal re-imagined the Hulk with “The Incredible Hulk”, Lions Gate’s latest is a re-boot for “The Punisher”. It’s more in touch with its comic book roots than the Tom Jane 2004 version. In fact, director Lexi Alexander’s take was inspired by visual look of the comic book’s “MAX” run. And to her credit, the movie’s blood and gore is over-the-top and true to the comics. Surprisingly, the movie even managed to get an ‘R’ rating. It’s every bit as graphic as the unrated versions of 2006′s “The Hills Have Eyes” and “Hostel: Part II”. There are plenty of bloody kills and gore fans will love every one.
As far as the casting goes, Ray Stevenson looks the part; tall and tough-looking, but I think Tom Jane gave more to the part. He is Michael Keaton to Stevenson’s Val Kilmer. Speaking of “Batman”, there is so much of Nicholson’s ”Joker” in “Jigsaw” that it’s not even funny. Dominic West of “The Wire” and “300″ puts on a hammy performance as the disfigured, diabolical mobster. Ditto for genre vet Doug Hutchinson (he was “Tooms” in “The X-Files”) who plays his wacko brother “Looney Bin Jim”.
“Punisher: War Zone” is ulitmately fan service. It’s not much better than the 2004 “Punisher”, but it looks good, it’s fast-paced and is packed with conventional action and graphic kills.
What do you think about the movie guys?
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