The Punisher [Blu-ray] [2004] [US Import]

While I don't share the enthusiasm toward this film of the previous viewers, I don't think that it deserved the bad reviews in the press which In my opinion failed to take into account 2 very important factors:
1-This film was done on a relatively small budget in comparison to other action movies based on comics and the action sequences are still pretty spectacualar
2-The much maligned intro 45 mins was necassary for this film to work because the metamorphosis of a happy fbi man to the punisher had to be seen to justfiy the carnage which ensues

The reason I give this four stars is surprising really, while it is amusing to watch travolta fall so miserably in the end as the evil howard saint his empire doesn't seem grandiose enough, perhaps as much to do with the setting of TAMPA! instead of new york (which is the setting of the sequel if it ever gets made)as anything; but travolta doesnt perform well enough to even make us believe he is really tough and a match for the punisher. This means that the film deteriorates into satire at certain points which gioes against the dark theme of the film.

You musn't judge this movie on the same criteria as spiderman or batman movies for simple reasons, less money(as mentioned above) and a misleading title. This may sound strange but the title leads you to believe that from minute 1 to the nd of the film there will be punishment dished out, which is perhaps what die hard graphic novel fans would have wanted and this is exascerbated by several unecassary scenes pre transformation. Thus you don't get what you expect, a little realism. This film IS enjoyable but you musbn't compare it to other comic movies it must be viewed on its own merits and weaknesses. Perhaps it should be called Frank Castle is the PUNISHER

Once again a Marvel character is thrust into the cinema. Don't get me wrong, I love Marvel, and because of this I am more than willing to see a film from this universe.
The Punisher I like. Firstly, its a fast film, you need to keep up, and whereas this can be seen as a bad thing, you have to remember that the sensibility of Frank Castle is a ticking timebomb of rage with a blob of the terminator thrown in. Thus, after his family are killed, he declares payback, and hes does it quite cleverly, as he preys on Saint's (Travolta's) own paranoia. For the viewer that isn't just into the videogame violence, at least Frank uses some strategic thinking, which is pleasing. The comic fight scene with the Russian is another break from the stiff jawed intensity of the rest if the film, and actually had me smiling, even though Frank was getting a rather huge beating. The character of Frank is superbly presented by Tom Jane, and is able to hold together the hero that takes no rubbish from anyone, gets to the point and gets his man, but still shows that vulnerability and sensitivity that all failed heroes show when presented a small piece of attention.
Opposite him, John Travolta puts together a rather uninformed, but wholesome performance as Castle's nemesis; travolta had the right idea, but at times I felt he was in danger of losing character.
The film as a whole is in no ways patronising, or needs no prior obvious knowledge, and although some details are changed from the comics, this is obviously a film made with not only the essence of the character at the heart, but a pretty good idea about how to make a film as well, which is sometimes lost as soon as the name 'Marvel' appears.
It may be said that this is an over the top film, but I think this quality works well - again I found myself smiling at the sheer confidence that the film had, but still kept grounded.
A no nonsense, sharp shooter of a movie, that does exactly what is says on the tin.
N.B this is no way releated to the dire Punisher film made previous to this - the less said about that the better.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I'll punish anyone who says this is rubbish. Jonathan Hensleigh did a great job of resurrecting the Marvel vigilante to the big screen with top-notch action, bloody violence and great acting to back this masterpiece up using the talents of Thomas Jane, John Travolta and Rebecca Romjin-Stamos.

I read reviews from America and England and there was a lot of mixed reviews so I went and saw this myself and thank God I didn't listen to the people who thought this film was rubbish.

Thomas Jane seemed to get out of his wooden state and do a good performance as Frank Castle, a retiring FBI agent who on his last mission kills the son of a Miami mob boss, Howard Saint, played by John Travolta. You could tell John Travolta was having fun being the bad guy and didn't do a bad performance. Thus giving Frank Castle the life of hell as all his family, literally his entire family, are murdered during a family reunion. Here comes our Marvel hero.

Be warned this film is not for the faint hearted or non-action junkies so be prepared!

With a straightforward plot, great acting all around, superb action and lots of bloody violence. The Punisher is one of the best Marvel and action movies of the year... see for yourself.