The Offical Punisher: War Zone Critics Review Thread

[ARBH]

I remember ARBH is a troll.

Because I did not like the film? That is precious.

 

[nomad662]

http://www.**************.com/fansites/reviews/news/?a=5361


Finally A True Punisher Movie

It's a movie. Not a film.

Meaning, it wasn't meant to be as serious, realistic, or deep as The Dark Knight. That would be a film.

Punisher: War Zone is a movie, meant to be enjoyed but not analyzed.

To start with, the creative team behind this movie clearly went to the source material (Punisher Max Series), and it really shows. Not only are there several side characters from the series here in the movie, but the colors, tone, dialogue, and look of the characters (especially big Frank himself) are right from the comics. Sure some of the side characters aren't true to the comics, but I'm pretty sure they were just thrown in for the enjoyment of the fans.

Ray Stevenson was great as the Punisher. Again, very true to the source material. While Dolph Lundgren seemed sleepy & burned-out, and Thomas Jane was a depressed drunk, Stevenson's Punisher is sharp and inconsolable. Not only does he have the right look and voice, but it's clear he's and actor with talent. If the studio decides to make any more Punisher movies, Ray Stevenson should continue to play the part.

Dominic West was excellent as Jigsaw, and although some reviews feel he was a little over-the-top, I felt it was necessary to provide some balance to Ray Stevenson's Punisher. Julie Benz showed great balance as the female lead, and thank the comic-book gods, they did NOT try to invent a romantic storyline here.

I've read some reviews where people are complaining about the plot, but again, this story could have been taken right from the comics. There was no need for several storylines intertwining, or plot twists, it was a simple story about the Punisher working his way through the mob, and having to protect a couple of innocents along the way.

Why is this finally a true Punisher movie:

1) Ray Stevenson - he looks and acts the part. Instead of trying to create and origin story, they start with the Punisher 5 years into his rampage. The flashbacks and narrative tells the viewer all they need about the origin. Just like the comics, he is sharp and professional about what he does. And like the comics, he is direct. He doesn't waste time setting the villains up, he simply takes them out with military precision & strategy.

2) Interesting villains. Sure they are a little over-the-top, but they need to be to offset the darkness of the Punisher.

3) A director with the guts to show the Punisher as a relentless murdering vigilante. The previous Punisher movie tried too hard to make him a soft, sympathetic character, and dulled his violent edge. This movie displayed a Punisher that quite frankly, not everyone will like, but the same could be said about the comic.

Congratulations, and thank you Lexi Alexander.

It's really a shame that so many critics are giving it such a harsh, unfair review. Either they were spoiled by The Dark Knight & Iron Man, or they've never read a Punisher comic. Probably both.

If you like the Punisher comics, you will really enjoy this movie.

Nomad

 

[Kable24]

We can read all of the positive reviews we want until we are blue in the face. fact of the matter is this movie is the worse Marvel opening ever. The shame of it all is that it's not the worse Marvel movie. it's actually a pretty decent movie. But LGF wanted to bury it. They pretty much pulled a Midnight Meat Train on it.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

The reason this movie tanked is because of promotion. In a month ive only seen 10 trailers on TV. Sure it isnt a gem of a movie, I'll admit, but it wasnt abysmal.

Isn't this doing well on the fan meter at RT anyway?

 

[Kable24]

yeah RT and IMDB fans are giving it pretty good reviews. And you're right LGF buried it. They wanted to something out there just to retain the rights. Basically what Roger Corman did to keep the F4 rights back in the early 90's.

 

[cryptic name]

We can read all of the positive reviews we want until we are blue in the face. fact of the matter is this movie is the worse Marvel opening ever. The shame of it all is that it's not the worse Marvel movie. it's actually a pretty decent movie. But LGF wanted to bury it. They pretty much pulled a Midnight Meat Train on it.

but at the end of they day, if you liked the movie...who gives a s**t?

 

[Punisher_MAX]

but at the end of they day, if you liked the movie...who gives a s**t?

those of us that still wanna see Frank on the big screen?

 

[Kable24]

exactly. I liked it. I will buy it on Blu-Ray and I will watch it.

 

[Microchip]

Maybe, just maybe they'll realize that they can't make a profitable Punisher movie, and decide that they're better off getting money selling the rights back to Marvel. Provided, of course, Marvel wants to do something with the character.

 

[Balthus Dire]

exactly. I liked it. I will buy it on Blu-Ray and I will watch it.

I knew you would.


What really sucks about this is so far there's pretty much zero chance of getting any kind of sequel. Three Punisher bombs in a row, PWZ being the worst of all 3 somehow, pretty much guarantees Frank won't be gracing the silver screen for a long time.

The best hope we have at getting a sequel is if the movie gets a huge cult following, which I think is very likely.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

im thinking bout playing the lottery and hoping I win so i can self finance a Punisher movie *sigh*

 

[Kable24]

I knew you would.


What really sucks about this is so far there's pretty much zero chance of getting any kind of sequel. Three Punisher bombs in a row, PWZ being the worst of all 3 somehow, pretty much guarantees Frank won't be gracing the silver screen for a long time.

The best hope we have at getting a sequel is if the movie gets a huge cult following, which I think is very likely.

I think I went in with such low expectations that I was pleasantly surprised with it. It was far from perfect, but my buddy and I had a good time watching it. And laughed our asses off when the guy jumped the roof and was blown apart by the grenade launcher.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

I think I went in with such low expectations that I was pleasantly surprised with it. It was far from perfect, but my buddy and I had a good time watching it. And laughed our asses off when the guy jumped the roof and was blown apart by the grenade launcher.

someone needs to make an avatar of that.

 

[cryptic name]

im thinking bout playing the lottery and hoping I win so i can self finance a Punisher movie *sigh*

i've got a script. find a director and we're good!

 

[Punisher_MAX]

If i get the $ and a script i'll run it by Kable24 before anything. id personally wanna adapt The Slavers

 

[Kable24]

if I won a 100 million power ball. I would definitely try to get the rights for a Punisher movie. I'd need a studio though to distribute it.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

New Line?

 

[Kable24]

New Line doesn't exist anymore, and if by chance they are still around they are a subsidiary of Warner Brothers which owns DC Comics.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

wasnt Blade on New Line? oh well...Universal? who the hell distributed Underworld?

 

[Nivek]

The Arrow from Joblo.com gave it 2.5/4

The Arrow Reviews Punisher: War Zone

PUNISHER WAR ZONE had the right actor in the title role, the proper M.O. in terms of its violence, a no BS 80s action feel and an army of tight action bits. It was closer in attitude (and low budget) to the Lundgren version than the 2004 Jane one. Sadly the screenplay was lazy and clunky at best, the humor too out of control at times and if I see one more neon light, I’ll start dancing… like a white boy… till the break of dawn. Following in the other PUNISHER films’ footsteps, it kicked ass with some elements and was “way off” with others. I laughed with it and at it. It's that kind of movie. It should be said though: any flick that has some dude getting his face caved into his skull by a mammoth Castle fist is all good in my books. So I guess I’m up for another one! Are you?

 

[rogue trooper]

A very positive review: http://www.411mania.com/movies/film_reviews/91894

....and at Rotten Tomatoes it's up to 18%.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

^doesnt matter now...i think all The Punisher fans should try and play the state lotto so if they win we can come together and buy the rights to The Punisher and finance a movie through a studio

 

[rogue trooper]

........ let's atleast try and see if we can can drag or make this film limp to $9 million at least.

 

[S. Grundy]

Doubtful, most people will probably be seeing The Day the Earth Stood Still and Gran Torino. PWZ is gonna limp with probably at least $5 million or so.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

Warzone is ****ed...whoever thought Xmas would be awesome for this was ****ing stupid...hell January wouldnt have been bad >_>