Ankh-Morpork Guard
First Post
Soo...a good no-have-to-think movie? Mmmm...those are nice every once in a whileNeoSamurai said:
The Punisher 'laughably awful'
- Thread starter Krug
- Start date
NeoSamurai
First Post
Yes they are.
Here's something else to look for in the movie if you guys watch it. Pay attention to how Thomas Jane's eyes throughout the movie and how he interacts/stares at the world around him. Very chilling in some key moments.
NeoSamurai
Here's something else to look for in the movie if you guys watch it. Pay attention to how Thomas Jane's eyes throughout the movie and how he interacts/stares at the world around him. Very chilling in some key moments.
NeoSamurai
blindrage
Raging blindly since 1969
Just saw the movie. 2 out 4 stars. Whoever said the first movie was better than: can I have the drugs you were taking during the movie please? They must be good. 
It was not the greatest movie but it did make Mr. Castle come across alot better than the first one. You are rooting for him to hurt/kill the bad ones. My two coppers on THE PUNISHER.
It was not the greatest movie but it did make Mr. Castle come across alot better than the first one. You are rooting for him to hurt/kill the bad ones. My two coppers on THE PUNISHER.Green Knight said:
Army Special Forces is a fitting military background.
From the commercials, still doesn't seem like the Punisher I remember. Does he go mad immediately? From what I remember, Frank Castle went over the edge almost immediately after his family was killed. He didn't even try to go through the justice system first.
Chain Lightning
First Post
Just saw "The Punisher"
Some SPOILERS below
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This movie is badly made. The cinematography is so stale and bland. However, the worst offender on this production would be the music composer. Oh my gawd....I can't relate how cheezy bad the music is. In fact, I'd rate "The Punisher" a whole two points higher if the music was actually more skillfully done and appropriate.
The end climax was horrible. Why do writer/directers feel that, if its a comic book character, he's gotta write his calling card symbol, name, or whatever in flames on the ground? I'm so tired of this cliche. Ever since friggin Crow did it, everyone and their comic book mutha is doing it. Never mind if it doesn't fit the character's MO or not. Daredevil did it, ugh....now Punisher too...ugh!!
Ok, that being said...do I have anything good to say about the movie? Actually yeah. If you're a Punisher fan, specifically of the new Ellis written Punisher, then there are enough little 'moments' to enjoy some parts in this film. I actually felt all the acting done was good on this film. Thomas Jane did a good job. I believed him as a Frank Castle. Will Patton was a pleasant surprise, I didn't know he was going to be in the film. Good character actor. There's actually quite an impressive list of actors and actresses here. Too bad the movie wasn't better.
Again, it wasn't a total P.O.S. There are parts that are kinda cool. I'm a big Punisher fan from LONG time ago. So I consider myself a purist. Even so, I was fine with his new background. Ex-Special Forces Operator turned undercover Fed....that's cool. I also like how Thomas Jane used his weaponry when acting like Castle. He did a good job of holding his guns properly and not all theatrically fake like in certain movies. Speaking of which, the gun fights come off more 'real' because they must've had a good gun expert to train everyone and so on. Being that the gun fights were approached with realism, I was kinda hoping for more of them to show up. I wanted more of the feel I got from when I watched "HEAT" for instance. But it was not to be. They were either too short....or didn't exist. I wished the gun battle at the end would've been longer or something.
Anyways, that's about it really. It had some small isolated moments that made it felt like a good Punisher film....but there was also many bad things about the over-all movie that made it a bad Punisher film too. If you don't care at all about the Punisher......I can't see why you'd even salvage some of those moments at all, thus for you types....this movie is a complete waste of time. I think its better than the Dolph version, but its still not the Punisher movie we've all been waiting for.
Some SPOILERS below
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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This movie is badly made. The cinematography is so stale and bland. However, the worst offender on this production would be the music composer. Oh my gawd....I can't relate how cheezy bad the music is. In fact, I'd rate "The Punisher" a whole two points higher if the music was actually more skillfully done and appropriate.
The end climax was horrible. Why do writer/directers feel that, if its a comic book character, he's gotta write his calling card symbol, name, or whatever in flames on the ground? I'm so tired of this cliche. Ever since friggin Crow did it, everyone and their comic book mutha is doing it. Never mind if it doesn't fit the character's MO or not. Daredevil did it, ugh....now Punisher too...ugh!!
Ok, that being said...do I have anything good to say about the movie? Actually yeah. If you're a Punisher fan, specifically of the new Ellis written Punisher, then there are enough little 'moments' to enjoy some parts in this film. I actually felt all the acting done was good on this film. Thomas Jane did a good job. I believed him as a Frank Castle. Will Patton was a pleasant surprise, I didn't know he was going to be in the film. Good character actor. There's actually quite an impressive list of actors and actresses here. Too bad the movie wasn't better.
Again, it wasn't a total P.O.S. There are parts that are kinda cool. I'm a big Punisher fan from LONG time ago. So I consider myself a purist. Even so, I was fine with his new background. Ex-Special Forces Operator turned undercover Fed....that's cool. I also like how Thomas Jane used his weaponry when acting like Castle. He did a good job of holding his guns properly and not all theatrically fake like in certain movies. Speaking of which, the gun fights come off more 'real' because they must've had a good gun expert to train everyone and so on. Being that the gun fights were approached with realism, I was kinda hoping for more of them to show up. I wanted more of the feel I got from when I watched "HEAT" for instance. But it was not to be. They were either too short....or didn't exist. I wished the gun battle at the end would've been longer or something.
Anyways, that's about it really. It had some small isolated moments that made it felt like a good Punisher film....but there was also many bad things about the over-all movie that made it a bad Punisher film too. If you don't care at all about the Punisher......I can't see why you'd even salvage some of those moments at all, thus for you types....this movie is a complete waste of time. I think its better than the Dolph version, but its still not the Punisher movie we've all been waiting for.
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JoeGKushner
Adventurer
Spoilers!
I like the Punisher. I read it on and off again as time and funds permit. I thought that the use of some of the more modern material was well done (the apartment and the fight with the Russian) but that if you knew anything about the original Punisher and his origins that this was too far removed from them. While watching it, I was pretty bored by the acting and action.
There were many little things that I didn't enjoy. The cliche wise black man of the isolated islands. The whole survivor bit. The amazing lack of blood. John Travolta as the main bad guy? Sorry John but while you were an interesting villain, you were far too stupid. I could go on, but suffice it to say I wasn't impressed and will not buy this when it hits DVD.
I like the Punisher. I read it on and off again as time and funds permit. I thought that the use of some of the more modern material was well done (the apartment and the fight with the Russian) but that if you knew anything about the original Punisher and his origins that this was too far removed from them. While watching it, I was pretty bored by the acting and action.
There were many little things that I didn't enjoy. The cliche wise black man of the isolated islands. The whole survivor bit. The amazing lack of blood. John Travolta as the main bad guy? Sorry John but while you were an interesting villain, you were far too stupid. I could go on, but suffice it to say I wasn't impressed and will not buy this when it hits DVD.
Villano
First Post
There's a 2nd review up on Latino Reviews. Pretty much the same view as the first.
http://www.latinoreview.com/films_2004/lionsgate/thepunisher/review-2.html
http://www.latinoreview.com/films_2004/lionsgate/thepunisher/review-2.html
Kai Lord
Hero
Oh man, I saw this just a few hours after watching Kill Bill Vol. 2 yesterday. The Punisher is just 17 kinds of awful.
A friend of mine who's really into the character gave me the "Welcome Back Frank" trade paperback with certain characters and situations that influenced scenes in the movie and I found it highly entertaining. We laughed at the first Punisher teaser last year (Thomas Jane??) but after seeing more and more previews for it started to get halfway psyched after seeing the Russian, Spacker Dave, Mr. Bumpo, and Joan the Mouse (the jury was still out on Jane.)
Then I saw the reviews....and started to get concerned. I didn't really care that the critics panned it, but it was how they panned it. Saying it was worse than the Dolph Lundgren version?? The Russian's a mute? Frank goes around using fake fire hydrants to give Travolta's wife parking tickets? WTF!!??
But we went anyway. Now what makes the Punisher an interesting character isn't that he's a grieving father and widower getting revenge for the death of his family. No, he's over that. He's just a one man army (literally) out to kill every last evil doer in the state of New York. He's content with that, unwavering, and damn good at it. He strikes horror into the fear of every criminal, causing the lesser ones to fumble their weapons and call for their mommies.
If you're a bad guy and you hear he's coming, you're screwed. You surround yourself with a hundred armed goons and it doesn't matter; he mows them all down and then takes you out. Amazing that Kill Bill pulled this off with Uma Thurman much better than The Punisher. But the Punisher movie didn't even try!
Castle's a pansy. He's introduced as a blond and effeminate European arms dealer who we later learn is really an FBI in disguise on a major sting that causes the death of Travolta's son. He doesn't even kill Travolta's son! Other agents do.
Instead of busting out a pair of badass .45's that are right in front of him in Puerto Rico and mowing down the mafia hitmen slaughtering his family John Woo style, Frank instead opts for a cumbersome double barrelled shotgun which he has to reload after every shot and takes out about three guys before being taken out himself. Wow. What a badass.
The film sets up Travolta as a guy most people could relate to and empathize with. To his knowledge his son was senselessly murdered and he wants to make those responsible pay for it. Isn't this exactly what we're supposed to empathize with in the Punisher himself? At least as far as this movie is concerned?
And this is a major problem. The execution of almost every scene in the movie is just dreadful (notable exceptions include the Russian fight and the surprise dinner with Joan), but the premise is an even bigger problem. Travolta just did what Frank does, which makes both characters morally grey people who believe revenge is the answer to their problems, but we're supposed to like Frank because he beats up a domestic abuser and is a non-violent fly in the ointment for Travolta until the very last scene.
That's right, I said "non-violent." Instead of tracking down Travolta and his men and gunning them down (geez how hard a concept is that to produce on screen) Frank sets up elaborate schemes that trick Travolta into thinking his wife is cheating on him and cause millions of laundered dollars to be lost. Because that's what the Punisher is all about. Destroying your money. WTF?? Making you mad at your wife. WTF??
Oh he does some killing. When bad guys periodically show up at his apartment after his first action upon arriving back in Tampa is to announce that he's still alive to the world at a police press conference. Yep. You read that right.
But nothing in the movie is as bad as what he does to Travolta's character in the very end of the movie. I literally burst out laughing it was so bad. To actually contemplate what the Punisher had to do to orchestrate the last scene with Travolta, and then then Travolta's hilarious "whimpering" while it happened and possibly the most dreadful compositing effects and pyrotechnics I've ever seen in a major film release. Oh man, you have to see it to believe it. Let's just say the Punisher would have needed satellite photos and about 10,000 gallons of gasoline to actually pull off what he does in the last scene, and that's all I'm going to say.
This film was so bad it was thoroughly entertaining (think Mystery Science Theater 3000), but for many people that isn't a good thing. Pay money to see this at your own risk....
A friend of mine who's really into the character gave me the "Welcome Back Frank" trade paperback with certain characters and situations that influenced scenes in the movie and I found it highly entertaining. We laughed at the first Punisher teaser last year (Thomas Jane??) but after seeing more and more previews for it started to get halfway psyched after seeing the Russian, Spacker Dave, Mr. Bumpo, and Joan the Mouse (the jury was still out on Jane.)
Then I saw the reviews....and started to get concerned. I didn't really care that the critics panned it, but it was how they panned it. Saying it was worse than the Dolph Lundgren version?? The Russian's a mute? Frank goes around using fake fire hydrants to give Travolta's wife parking tickets? WTF!!??
But we went anyway. Now what makes the Punisher an interesting character isn't that he's a grieving father and widower getting revenge for the death of his family. No, he's over that. He's just a one man army (literally) out to kill every last evil doer in the state of New York. He's content with that, unwavering, and damn good at it. He strikes horror into the fear of every criminal, causing the lesser ones to fumble their weapons and call for their mommies.
If you're a bad guy and you hear he's coming, you're screwed. You surround yourself with a hundred armed goons and it doesn't matter; he mows them all down and then takes you out. Amazing that Kill Bill pulled this off with Uma Thurman much better than The Punisher. But the Punisher movie didn't even try!
Castle's a pansy. He's introduced as a blond and effeminate European arms dealer who we later learn is really an FBI in disguise on a major sting that causes the death of Travolta's son. He doesn't even kill Travolta's son! Other agents do.
Instead of busting out a pair of badass .45's that are right in front of him in Puerto Rico and mowing down the mafia hitmen slaughtering his family John Woo style, Frank instead opts for a cumbersome double barrelled shotgun which he has to reload after every shot and takes out about three guys before being taken out himself. Wow. What a badass.
The film sets up Travolta as a guy most people could relate to and empathize with. To his knowledge his son was senselessly murdered and he wants to make those responsible pay for it. Isn't this exactly what we're supposed to empathize with in the Punisher himself? At least as far as this movie is concerned?
And this is a major problem. The execution of almost every scene in the movie is just dreadful (notable exceptions include the Russian fight and the surprise dinner with Joan), but the premise is an even bigger problem. Travolta just did what Frank does, which makes both characters morally grey people who believe revenge is the answer to their problems, but we're supposed to like Frank because he beats up a domestic abuser and is a non-violent fly in the ointment for Travolta until the very last scene.
That's right, I said "non-violent." Instead of tracking down Travolta and his men and gunning them down (geez how hard a concept is that to produce on screen) Frank sets up elaborate schemes that trick Travolta into thinking his wife is cheating on him and cause millions of laundered dollars to be lost. Because that's what the Punisher is all about. Destroying your money. WTF?? Making you mad at your wife. WTF??
Oh he does some killing. When bad guys periodically show up at his apartment after his first action upon arriving back in Tampa is to announce that he's still alive to the world at a police press conference. Yep. You read that right.
But nothing in the movie is as bad as what he does to Travolta's character in the very end of the movie. I literally burst out laughing it was so bad. To actually contemplate what the Punisher had to do to orchestrate the last scene with Travolta, and then then Travolta's hilarious "whimpering" while it happened and possibly the most dreadful compositing effects and pyrotechnics I've ever seen in a major film release. Oh man, you have to see it to believe it. Let's just say the Punisher would have needed satellite photos and about 10,000 gallons of gasoline to actually pull off what he does in the last scene, and that's all I'm going to say.
This film was so bad it was thoroughly entertaining (think Mystery Science Theater 3000), but for many people that isn't a good thing. Pay money to see this at your own risk....
Brother Shatterstone
Dark Moderator of PbP
Well I consider myself the be a Punisher fan and I dragged my wife off to see the movie and she’s not much into comics, blood, or actions movies. I guess dragged off is slightly a strong word... I convinced her to go and see it a few weeks ago.
Anyhow I didn't really consider this to be a brilliant plan for success but I did my usual I avoid the reviews and kept an open mind.
I won't recap what’s already been said or add to it but to be honest I enjoyed the movie, though the music does blow some, and surprising my wife truly enjoyed the movie also. (Though some of the more bloodier violent scenes where missed because she had her eyes closed and their where a few more she wish she had her eye closed for.)
There’s no doubt that Frank wasn’t mindless thug murdering SOB that everyone seems to have been hoping for. Then again he’s always stuck me as rather smart and that he enjoys making sure that the criminals suffer before he kills them and that’s exactly what he did in this movie.
I found most of the acting to be on the above decent side and some of it was indeed remarkable.
Its not a perfect film, I had three things that bugged me but consider the movie had to set up the whole back story, and that most of the back story was indeed their I found it all acceptable and I expect me and the wife to find us in the movie theater again if it has a squeal.
and I will be buying the DVD.
Anyhow I didn't really consider this to be a brilliant plan for success but I did my usual I avoid the reviews and kept an open mind.
I won't recap what’s already been said or add to it but to be honest I enjoyed the movie, though the music does blow some, and surprising my wife truly enjoyed the movie also. (Though some of the more bloodier violent scenes where missed because she had her eyes closed and their where a few more she wish she had her eye closed for.)
There’s no doubt that Frank wasn’t mindless thug murdering SOB that everyone seems to have been hoping for. Then again he’s always stuck me as rather smart and that he enjoys making sure that the criminals suffer before he kills them and that’s exactly what he did in this movie.
I found most of the acting to be on the above decent side and some of it was indeed remarkable.
Its not a perfect film, I had three things that bugged me but consider the movie had to set up the whole back story, and that most of the back story was indeed their I found it all acceptable and I expect me and the wife to find us in the movie theater again if it has a squeal.
and I will be buying the DVD.
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