OT: "THE PUNISHER: WAR ZONE"

[Rip Rokken]

Finally went to see it tonight with a friend, and there were a total of 3 of us in the theater. The deck was pretty much stacked against this film from the beginning for me. First, Thomas Jane pulls out of the project and says he has too much respect for the character and just can't do a film he doesn't believe in. Next, an early script review says it is HORRIBLE. The trailer eventually comes out and I'm not really impressed. The film itself, much delayed, finally debuts to generally bad reviews (bad acting, script, dialogue, poorly hidden accents, etc.), though some at least give it a left-handed compliment that it's the best of the 3 Punisher films.

So we went into it with lowered expectations -- I was a fan, and my friend wasn't really familiar with the character at all....

WE LOVED IT!!! That movie FREAKIN' ROCKED!!! First, RAY STEVENSON was PERFECT as The Punisher -- he actually looked and had the presence of the comic book character. I thought he was much better of a choice than Thomas Jane. Sure, the Irish accent peeked thru at times, but it was never to the point of being distracting to me -- hell, Mel Gibson's Australian accent is completely obvious in parts of Lethal Weapon II. He also really showed a vulnerable side that was very believable.

Second, the ACTION -- director Lexi Alexander was also a kickboxer, and she really proved herself with this one. The action sequences were always well thought out, shot, inventive and enjoyable. If you think you've seen it all, you haven't... Some of the kills catch you completely off guard and are laugh out loud hilarious... just the kind where you crack up, wince, and shake your head. Completely unapologetic and with little to no respect for boundaries.

Third, the STORY -- I expected something very paint-by-the-numbers and formulaic, but was quite surprised. No, of course there no deep plot here, but it was pretty unpredictable at times when you thought you knew what was coming next.

Now, I completely agree with the reviewers who were smart enough to realize that true fans of the comic book character would enjoy this film the most. The reason is that it perfectly captures the dark humor of the Garth Ennis books. This is exactly what the Thomas Jane version attempted but failed to do in my opinion. But not here -- it purposefully doesn't take itself too seriously and adds just enough camp to get the recipe right. It purposefully pays homage to a few well-known scenes from other movies, instead of lazily ripping them off. The supporting characters and dialogue are designed to be a tad cartoonish, so to me the reviewers who are scathing this on acting and dialog just don't get the point.

I know The Punisher: War Zone isn't going to be nominated for any Oscars, and I can only rate it on the scale of pure enjoyment -- the reason I go to the movies. 4 out of 4 stars from me on the enjoyment scale. Best time at the movies I've had since Iron Man!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Agreed.
Def. a new midnight movie classic.

[Rip Rokken]

Agreed.
Def. a new midnight movie classic.

A new era of bi-partisan cooperation has begun!

[Abitaman]

Being a comic book "nerd", I will be seeing this movie. Watched the second one again the other night. Too me it was too far away from the Marvel comic.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Being a comic book "nerd", I will be seeing this movie. Watched the second one again the other night. Too me it was too far away from the Marvel comic.

No comparison.
Like Iron Man and the recently re-launched Hulk franchise, this Punisher had more direct input from Marvel.
Nothing of the inferior quality like Electra, the Fantastic Four or the last Punisher film, will sneak by them I again.

[Abitaman]

As much as I wanted the FF4 movies to be great, they were just ok. I liked the first Hulk, for the most part, Hulk had powers more like the books. Electra sucked!!

[Rip Rokken]

As much as I wanted the FF4 movies to be great, they were just ok. I liked the first Hulk, for the most part, Hulk had powers more like the books. Electra sucked!!

I agree totally -- I enjoyed the first FF movie, but was extremely disappointed in the 2nd one save for the Silver Surfer. Dr. Doom was completely wasted in it. For all its flaws, I enjoyed the first Hulk (Bana) and yes, his powers were more like the books. I also enjoyed the 2nd one, but anyone complaining about the CGI in the first one I'd think would be disappointed in the look of the 2nd -- very unrealistic to me.

I LOVED this Punisher and we were howling with laughter at some of the kills... I kinda hate to admit what that says, but it is what it is... just not a film to be taken so seriously. I got the exact same feeling watching it as I did reading the Garth Ennis books with their dark humor. I wonder if Ennis was inspired in any way by the Judge Dredd series, because the satirical look at society was very similar.

[X factor]

As much as I wanted the FF4 movies to be great, they were just ok. I liked the first Hulk, for the most part, Hulk had powers more like the books. Electra sucked!!

I agree totally -- I enjoyed the first FF movie, but was extremely disappointed in the 2nd one save for the Silver Surfer. Dr. Doom was completely wasted in it. For all its flaws, I enjoyed the first Hulk (Bana) and yes, his powers were more like the books. I also enjoyed the 2nd one, but anyone complaining about the CGI in the first one I'd think would be disappointed in the look of the 2nd -- very unrealistic to me.

I LOVED this Punisher and we were howling with laughter at some of the kills... I kinda hate to admit what that says, but it is what it is... just not a film to be taken so seriously. I got the exact same feeling watching it as I did reading the Garth Ennis books with their dark humor. I wonder if Ennis was inspired in any way by the Judge Dredd series, because the satirical look at society was very similar.

Agree about FF films. I was so dissapointed in both. There were some elements they nailed - Johnny Storm for instance. Chris what's his name was as close to the comic as an actor could get- but the rest of the cast? And Julian McMahon was just awful as Doom. TERRIBLE casting. But for the most part, both films just sucked. In this case? All about the Director. Tim Story is a hack- just like Brett Ratner and whoever the woeful person who directed Elecktra!\

I had no interest in this Punisher, but since we get Ripper AND TNC on the same page, I think Geek law DEMANDS I see it now!

[The_Noble_Cause]

I had no interest in this Punisher, but since we get Ripper AND TNC on the same page, I think Geek law DEMANDS I see it now!

I was gonna pass it up until Lionsgate released the uncensored red band trailer online and critical comparisons (both favorable and unfavorable) to the last Rambo and the SAW franchise started popping up.
Judging from its zero buzz reception and troubled production (actor, Thomas Jane, quit unexpectedly and co-screenwriter, Kurt Sutter, had his name taken off the final project), it was hard to tell what a nasty fun piece of work this was going to turn out.

http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/pu ... on-trailer

[Rip Rokken]

I had no interest in this Punisher, but since we get Ripper AND TNC on the same page, I think Geek law DEMANDS I see it now!

You MUST see it, then tell us what you think.

[ttango1]

I'm watching this flick...thanks RIP.

If Ray can do Frank Castle Proud...then I'm all over it.