The Punisher (2004)

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Original title: Punisher, The

Directed by
Jonathan Hensleigh

Written by
Jonathan Hensleigh, Michael France

Cast
A. Russell Andrews, Omar Avila, James Carpinello, Mark Collie, Russ Comegys [more]

The Punisher Reviews

Though the film is likely an improvement over the 1989 Dolph Lundgren adaptation, Hensleigh's approach leaves a lot to be desired. In attempting to appeal to a wider audience, The Punisher never quite becomes the 21st century's answer to Death Wish. Still, Jane's performance and the surprisingly violent moments probably make this worth a look. [read review]  --David Nusair (Reel Film Reviews) ...practically worthless as a tale of vengence, and it does nothing to create a Punisher legacy. Nothing short of a total re-forging of the image of the Punisher will change that and the only stylistic thing to watch for that's actually entertaining is the opening credits. [read review] 4/10 --W. Andrew Powell (The Gate.ca) When "The Punisher" is deep into the parceling out of penance, it is not that different from any one of myriad revenge dramas. But when it shows its antiheroic hero struggling – and failing – to rekindle his flickering humanity, the pleasure we take in his inability to resist his basest instincts is like taking a bite of deliciously dark chocolate: probably bad for us, definitely bitter, but still sweet and stimulating. [read review] --Michael O'Sullivan (Washington Post) "The Punisher" is a long, dark slog through grim revenge. Unlike most movies based on comic book heroes, it doesn't contain the glimmer of a smile, and its hero is a depressed alcoholic -- well he might be, since his entire family, including wife, child,father and even distant cousins -- has been massacred before his eyes. [read review]  --Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) Now that Castle's character has been given depth in this film, Im sure a sequel will include more action, which most of you wanted. It was very important to establish Castle's character, without the build, the violence would seem half as vindictive. [read review]  --Mr. Disgusting (Bloody-Disgusting.com) “The Punisher” is a shining example of revenge and vigilante-style justice done right. It’s also yet another comic book adaptation done properly. In fact, this may be the first time I wished we could give half-vaults, because it was just that good. [read review] 8/10 --Mark Chua (Movie-Vault.com) The Punisher is such a bad film that it becomes inadvertently entertaining; it’s enough to make you pine for the original version of the black-clad Marvel Comics’ badass, played to awful imperfection in 1989 by Dolph Lundgren. [read review]  --Marc Savlov (Austin Chronicle) This is NOT The Punisher, it’s a clumsy, inept Romper Room version of it that ignored its titular character and his plight, in favor of exploring dime store mobsters in K-Mart T-shirts and grating “loser” neighbors. [read review]  --'The Arrow' (Arrow) Combining brutal violence, lengthy action sequences, great Floridian locales, and even some comedy, "The Punisher" is the most unlikely success story found in the new wave of comic book adaptations. [read review] --Brian Orndorf (FilmJerk.com) This movie is tailor-made for bored teenagers working on their wit or devotees of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Those are not qualities to build a franchise around. Here’s hoping. [read review]  --Pete Croatto (FilmCritic.com) We don't see a lot of true anti-hero's at the movies much anymore, but with this very entertaining movie with a character as intriguing as The Punisher, maybe we should... [read review]  --Brian Gallagher (MovieWeb) In recent years, a lot of Marvel superheroes have made the leap from printed page to silver screen. None has been given more shoddy treatment than The Punisher. [read review]  --James Berardinelli (ReelViews) I stopped taking most of it seriously after a while and was able to enjoy some of it on a "cheesy" level, but even then, it was still bad overall. [read review] 4/10 --'JoBlo' (JoBlo.com) Jonathan Hensleigh brings us a stylistically confused tale of vengeance with awful dialogue and John Travolta doing his elegant-baddie thing. [read review] --Stephanie Zacharek (Salon) In any case, ''The Punisher,'' loaded with grim, sadistic violence and more than two hours long, certainly lives up to its name. [read review] --A.O. Scott (The New York Times) Don't hold your breath waiting for "The Punisher" to be original, not for one second of its torturous two hours. [read review] --Desson Thomson (Washington Post) No, ``The Punisher'' isn't pretty. But, like its low-rent superhero, it gets the job done and then some. [read review]  --Glenn Lovell (San Jose Mercury News) For such a formulaic vigilante film, The Punisher has a far better cast than it deserves. [read review]  --Steven Rea (Philadelphia Inquirer) Unpleasant, ultra-violent vigilante film. [read review]  --Jonathan Foreman (New York Post) I miss Dolph Lundgren. [read review]  --Kevin N. Laforest (Montreal Film Journal)

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