Punisher: War Zone (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2008)

For anyone who ever read any Punisher comics growing up, or still are as adults, then they can attest that they are constantly full of violence, blood, guts and gore, and very light on comedy. Fantastic Four, The X-Men, and The Hulk CANNOT be compared to The Punisher in anyway, so if someone watches these other Marvel movies and likes them, then attempts to watch this newest Punisher movie expecting the same lighthearted cartoon violence and humor, then it would have been like going to the polls and actually thinking a vote for McCain would've meant something (oops, too soon?). Getting back on topic, out of the 3 actors who've starred as the title character, Ray Stevenson has looked the MOST like the Punisher during the War Zone story arc. He was big, gritty, gruff, and not clean shaven. He wasn't a pretty boy like Thomas Jane, and he wasn't some eastern bloc pinko like Dolph Lundgren (seriously, who the hell casted him?! Jesse Ventura would've even been a better choice!)

So in short, I'm giving this movie 5 stars, because as a true Punisher fan, this movie is the closest to the comics as any of the movies. The first movie was beyond pathetic. The second was good, in fact much of the plot taken directly out of Punisher comics, but way too much humor injected into it and not enough action. This movie has all the action, blood, and death, plus Jigsaw, The Punisher's arch-nemesis. OH, and by the way, Jigsaw has been around since the 1980s...he wasn't invented after the filming of the Saw movies, so if you think his name was ripped from other movies, well, you're an idiot.

So for those of you who also truly loved the Punisher back in the old days, watch this movie! And you'll know exactly what I mean when I say...until The Punisher throws away his guns and takes on an appeasement approach...MAKE MINE MARVEL!!!

I'd give Punisher: War Zone 3.5 stars if I could, as it is definitely better than the 2004 treatment starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta, and stands as the most faithful screen treatment that good 'ol Frank has gotten yet. Ray Stevenson (HBO's Rome) stars as Frank Castle this time around, who after accidentally killing an undercover FBI agent during one of his latest bullet-ridden sprees, seeks to give up being the Punisher. However, hideously scarred mobster Jigsaw (The Wire's Dominic West) has different plans for Frank, including taking out the late fed's wife (Dexter's Julie Benz) and daughter (Stephanie Janusauskas). Directed by Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans), Punisher: War Zone is ridiculously violent almost to the point of turning into a live-action cartoon, and still manages to retain most of the tone of Garth Ennis' excellent run on the comic. Stevenson is definitely the most physically imposing actor to play the Punisher, and is the best one above all as well. The rest of the acting however is almost comical, with West and Doug Hutchison, who plays Jigsaw's cannibal brother Loony Bin Jim, going so far over the top that you can't help but laugh. The film's dialogue and script don't help matters any, but the bloody action sequences are done well and are worth seeing the film for alone. Despite its flaws though, Punisher: War Zone still manages to be pretty entertaining, and is definitely the most satisfying adaptation that the character has received yet. Fans of Ennis' run on Punisher MAX and action-flick fans will find much to admire here, and in the end, that's really all that need apply here.

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I saw this film yesterday and I believe it's the best action film this year. I can't decide which film is best, this one, or the 2004 film with Thomas Jane and John Travolta. But I do know that Ray Stevenson was an excellent choice for this film. I think every actor did a wonderful job with their roles.

I enjoyed the action, could have been a little less graphic, but I enjoyed it anyway. The nearly constant action and blood might sound overwhelming, but it does have some funny moments here and there. I wish the movie focused a little more on the Punisher himself and not so much on the criminals. Bottom line this is definately a must-see for any punisher or action movie fan.

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DON'T LISTEN to the negative reviews. SEE THIS MOVIE, although not with kids around that's for sure (Hard R for violence and cursing but no nudity).

If you're an action fan who has been craving for a non stop and over the top intense action movie, say no more and watch this movie!

If copious amounts of gun action blood, guts and gore is what you've been dying to see infused into an action movie, this is your train, GET ONBOARD and don't look back!

This movie kicks other action movies butts and asks questions later! It even has MORE (and well done) GORE than most HORROR movies!

Don't get me wrong, the new Friday the 13th Remake was fun but it can't hold a candle to the carnage that takes place in Punisher: War Zone!

Now, enough talk about the carnage that the Punisher dishes out, how about the rest of the movie.

Mostly based on the Punisher MAX ultra violent comic series, this movie holds true to the grittiness of that series therefore it's no great surprise that the movie is over the top, what is a shocker is that the filmakers had the courage to stick with it and deliver in spades what most Punisher fans were clamoring for! Good story, cool good guys, nasty villians, lots of explosive action and no boring parts! The music soundtrack and sound effects were also very enjoyable.

Put it this way, I'm a fan and I ain't complaining that's for sure. If anything, i'm taking the time to write this wacky review...woot!

The 2004 Punisher was a decent enough action movie however this is THE definative Punisher movie and the one I would take onto my desert island.

The Dark Knight was an excellent movie for adults, Iron Man was an excellent movie for adults and kids, Punisher is an AWESOME BAD *** FUN movie for adults and young adults (if that makes any sense).

That's the big difference for me when compared to The Dark Knight, PWZ (as I like to call it) is a very FUN movie to watch. I forgot what a 100% FUN movie was like until this one reminded me!

Iron Man was also fun, more than TDK that's for sure but Punisher definately has it beat in that department for me.

The Joker would fit in nicely in this movie just as well but he wouldn't be the only nut job, he would be one of many awesome bad dudes in this flick!

It's a shame what happened to this movie in the Box Office, it didn't deserve its fate. It's definately worth spending the few bucks it costs to watch it and I hope that the actors, director Lexi Alexander and Marvel, heck even Lionsgate, recoup their financial and career investments.

Let me end by saying this, I'm not going into detail because my desire is not to ruin this movie for anyone but there are scenes in this movie that are groundbreaking and have never been filmed in the manner they were done here.

When I say that Punisher crosses the line and does stuff which will make your jaw drop, i'm not joking. I wish i could let it out but you'll see for yourselves just how crazy this move is!

Remember, no little kiddies though.

Hey, can you tell that I liked it, and my name isn't even Mikey....go figure.

Good Job Lexi, Ray, Dominic, Doug, Julie, Wayne and Marvel plus Lionsgate....Thanks for a FUN movie, box office be damned!

The Punisher finally.....well, you know...PUNISHES!

Hope you enjoyed this review from the heart.

Hey Lex, Ray..you know...Marvel, call me sometime, we'll do lunch.....LOL!

Peace!

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Ok, lets start off with the fact this is not King Lear or Hamlet. This doesn't go into deep philisophical questions about people's motivations for revenge.

It say what it does on the tin. Man's family is killed, something snaps and he just wants to kill/Punish people who he holds responsible.

Its a kill fest. The scene where the Policeman says "I'm taking him in" and Frank just kills him sums it up. This is gory, violent and takes you to the edge os what is acceptable, but that is what the Comic and the Punisher is about.

Don't waste your time on negative reviews for this film, because the chances are they have never read the comic, or even heard of the Punisher. This is a generational thing. Either you get it, or you don't.

Great Film and defintely worth buying. Much better than the predecessors.

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