THE PUNISHER (2004)

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"The movie’s overall content’s just too sperficial to deliver anything better than a below average action flick."

Some of you might have watched the 1989 version starring Dolph Lungren...not exactly a masterpiece but still, the movie had an identity of its own, typical of some of those eighties B flicks. At many levels, this version strayed from the comics, the most blatant one being the character not even wearing the trademark "skull" on his chest. Still I remember it as being kinda fun to watch ...Castle fights the mob, yakuzas and even some ninja/geisha chick at some point. Nothing too serious...I'd watch the same lighthearted way I'd watch a fan film on you tube.

Bunch of years later Hollywood goes crazy over adapting as many comic book titles as it can, good news being The Punisher's not being left out. Clearly, there was every reason to believe this time we'd get the movie the character deserved. A decent cast, the origin story better suited to our time (Castle's no longer a veteran from nam', Tampa Bay setting...all of which I didn't mind) and at least a dozen year's worth of Punisher storylines to inspire a fast paced, clever vigilante/real world superhero movie. As much as I believed in this movie I'm one of those who found it to be a disappointment. So where did it all go wrong? Simple : the movie's overall content's just too sperficial to deliver anything better than a below average action flick.So here we are... watching one of the deadliest marksmen and hand to hand combatants of the Marvel Universe ,scheming some telenovella intrigue,involving moving water hydrants, shooting pictures of mobsters instead plainly shooting them and teaming up with the local buffoon just so the Saints clan can rip themselves apart from within...some other movie it might have been okay; but something written 'Punisher' on it? No way.

If there's a point to all this, like say: outlining the methodical aspect of the character then it's a failed attempt. The comics themselves are rife with solid storylines that admirably dispelled such an idea. Going against the clichés that the Punisher's not all brawl and no brains was definitely a good call. Still, this effort is carried out so awkwardly that it simply falls flat and gets nowhere near being really entertaining let alone captivating.

What really saved the movie from being a total wreck remains the finale. It's very close to the "Punisher Year One" graphic novel and seeing it adapted onscreen, albeit for only a few minutes was gratifying enough to feel I hadn't entirely wasted my time and bucks on this one. The final gunfight's packs enough punch to keep the audience immersed; Its fast paced and believable. I particularly enjoyed the work on lighting during this part of the movie and it's really a shame it didn't feature more of this kind of action. Don't get me wrong :I didn't come in looking for some dumb Van Damme or Segal styled flick. Yet, the least I'd expected was enough of a clever storyline and action packed gunfight to meet the standards "Punisher MAX" comics' for instance had set.

One of the most entertaining scenes was Frank going mano a mano with the Russian. Slight downside: he's not a as colorful as he is in the comics. Still, the Russian serves as an efficient 'prop' to bring back some much needed action. This whole scene was actually one the most memorable chapters of the "Welcome Back Frank" storyline, whether or not you've read the comics you'll still enjoy this one hell of a fight scene for what it's worth.

I won't be one to bitch about Ray Stevenson being the new Punisher(actually, I'm quite willing to let WarZone prove itself) but I'll definitely miss Tom Jane in that role. The guy's got exactly what it takes to play Caste: he's buff; he's got grit and yet conveys enough emotion for the audience to sympathize with the character and his gradual transformation into a brooding anti hero as the Punisher. All the more reason for me to believe it's a crying shame this movie didn't live up to it's potential: seeing the franchise thrive with Tom Jane leading the way as Frank Castle was the best I could have hoped for it.