The Offical Punisher: War Zone Critics Review Thread

[ARBH]

Using that logic, anyone who dislikes the movie can be lumped into that category. I did not care for Tom Janes portrayal as Frank Castle, but I enjoyed far more aspects of the 04 Punisher film, than I did of P:WZ. If Ray Stevenson was in the '04 Punisher... Oh, SNAP that could have been great.

 

[hero79]

Here's a negative review that I find quite entertaining. I don't agree with any of it, but its funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2NjhpSDin8

 

[Nivek]

But that's stupid. AICN is antiPunisher: War Zone. Like Iesb. I remember to all people that AICN is the web site who published the letter from Tom Jane and his leaving. And yeah, AICN it's a Tom Jane fan.

I agree with almost every word of that negative review, the writer of that review was not biased, just incredibly disappointed like myself and many other Punisher fans that didn't want a Troma Films version of the Punisher. The guy was right on the money with almost all of the criticisms. Especially about the lame ass Villains and Lexi.

 

[The Guard]

Meh. That AICN review raises some decent points, but overall, it's one more "I can't get over the neon" and "I hated it because it wasn't all MAX-oriented", reviews that ignores the fact that The Punisher was around long before MAX, ignores every decent element in the movie and forgets that the "comedy/horror elements" DO still exist in PUNISHER: MAX. Even in THE SLAVERS.

Speaking of lame ass villains, let's talk about how deep and interesting and certainly nonstereotypical, oh, say...Barracuda is...

Or how deep and interesting the Bulat's are in THE SLAVERS.

 

[grout]

Meh. That AICN review raises some decent points, but overall, it's one more "I can't get over the neon" and "I hated it because it wasn't all MAX-oriented", reviews that ignores the fact that The Punisher was around long before MAX, ignores every decent element in the movie and forgets that the "comedy/horror elements" DO still exist in PUNISHER: MAX. Even in THE SLAVERS.

Speaking of lame ass villains, let's talk about how deep and interesting and certainly nonstereotypical, oh, say...Barracuda is...

Or how deep and interesting the Bulat's are in THE SLAVERS.

I agree and nicley said.. I have no idea what would make people (hardcore fans) happy when it comes to the punisher. But by this point its clear ..nothing... Punisher is a guy that everyone has a different take on.

 

[IDrawDeadPeople]

I personally hope that a hypothetical 'next' Punisher film is based completely on the story where Frank poses as a substitute gym teacher and uses fantastic lines such as "Those who can't - teach. Those who can't teach - teach gym". Awesome Punisher dialogue! I'll be here the day it opens to join in with the chorus of "OMGZORZ!!!1!!one!!! It looks just like Kindergarten Cop!!!!1!!!one!!!1!! This isn't teh Punisher!!! Why can't they use teh source materialz?!?!?!!??one!!?!"

 

[Joe Von Zombie]

I agree and nicley said.. I have no idea what would make people (hardcore fans) happy when it comes to the punisher. But by this point its clear ..nothing... Punisher is a guy that everyone has a different take on.

A film that doesn't play like the Toxic Avenger would be a great with a studio and a director that would take the character seriously, like I said in the other thread: If all Frank Castle is to you is a kickass skull and a body count, then by all means this is your movie, but fir those of us that veiw Castle a true trageic literary figure with a lot to say about neccicary evil and the currupt world around him, this film was a slap in the face.

Meh. That AICN review raises some decent points, but overall, it's one more "I can't get over the neon" and "I hated it because it wasn't all MAX-oriented", reviews that ignores the fact that The Punisher was around long before MAX, ignores every decent element in the movie and forgets that the "comedy/horror elements" DO still exist in PUNISHER: MAX. Even in THE SLAVERS.

Speaking of lame ass villains, let's talk about how deep and interesting and certainly nonstereotypical, oh, say...Barracuda is...

Or how deep and interesting the Bulat's are in THE SLAVERS.

While true that The Punisher existed long before MAX, but when the Director and the star of the film constantly claim they stayed true to MAX, you tend to expect the film to mirror MAX narratively and visually and this film DOES NOT.

 

[DarkKnightFan]

I noticed the same kind of disagreement amongst the brothers at Brotherhood of the Bat when The Dark Knight and Batman Begins came out. Some of us loved it. Some hated it. Everybody has a different take on the character and he's one of those characters people get passionate about. I just saw it last night and thought it was the best Punisher movie made yet. Not perfect, but BEST yet. I also thought Ray Stevenson did the best job portraying The Punisher/ Frank Castle of any of the prior actors. Definitely worthy of a sequel with a bigger budget. Glad to see it getting some positive reviews. Well worth the $$$. I too would have liked to have seen it be a little longer, and seen Jigsaw a little more sinister, like Ledger did as the Joker but hey, not every performance can be Oscar worthy and I still was very happy with what they created for the character this time.

-DKF

 

[grout]

"A film that doesn't play like the Toxic Avenger would be a great with a studio and a director that would take the character seriously, like I said in the other thread: If all Frank Castle is to you is a kickass skull and a body count, then by all means this is your movie, but fir those of us that veiw Castle a true trageic literary figure with a lot to say about neccicary evil and the currupt world around him, this film was a slap in the face."

Jon thats your take, but I know thats overly exaggerated. Just sounds like a pickapart. Toxic avenger, batman and robin..gimme a break I have heard this too much. It clearly is nothing like that.

I will wait for "gone with the wind" starring Frank Castle next time. You know Frank is not there when the titanic is going down to save the day. There is no epic story through the span of time here. It is what it is and they did a good job. Frank is the kink in the food chain, he is there to hunt the hunters. They clearly portrayed that in the film, it was not just killing..It gave reasons why he is what he is. It showed him having a conscious about taking out the wrong people, giving money to the daughter, not allowing others to follow his path. He was not running around with guns blazing everyone in the entire movie with no thought.

 

[hero79]

Also, I didn't think the "Call me Jigsaw" felt forced at all. As soon as he sees his new face you can tell he realizes he's not Billy anymore and someone else has emerged.

 

[The Guard]

While true that The Punisher existed long before MAX, but when the Director and the star of the film constantly claim they stayed true to MAX, you tend to expect the film to mirror MAX narratively and visually and this film DOES NOT.

Lexi Alexander was very clear that the visuals and the violence was taken from MAX. She was specific about that. She talked about drawing from all eras of The Punisher. She never said "This movie will be just like X arc of the MAX comics".

 

[grout]

I think that the Karma was bad before PWZ came out with alot of guys in here for whatever reason. When you are in that state of mind going in its easy to pick it apart, you can do that with any movie if you wanted. I personally see that non fans like PWZ more. I liked it.

 

[Figs]

I agree with almost every word of that negative review, the writer of that review was not biased, just incredibly disappointed like myself and many other Punisher fans that didn't want a Troma Films version of the Punisher. The guy was right on the money with almost all of the criticisms. Especially about the lame ass Villains and Lexi.

I'm sorry Nivek but I have to say this.

I do feel sorry for you for hating this movie since you had really high hopes up to it's release.

This is the second time I've seen you compare this to a Troma film.

Sorry I've seen most of their films(if you can call them that) and as over the top and cheesy PWZ may have been it was STILL no where in the ballpark or vicinity as being as horribly bad as any Troma film.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy Troma films. They are the best example of movies that are so bad their good/entertaining. I've never taken acting lessons in my life and don't think but know I could out act most of the people(I won't call them actors)that appear in a Troma film.

Complain about the stereotype accents in this film all you want but the acting was still leaps ahead of any Troma film.

I just think your being over the top yourself with your exaggerated comparisons of PWZ and Troma films.

Troma films are fun but PWZ(even for not being a great film) is still alot better then them in quality and acting.

Doesn't mean you have to let up on your hate of PWZ, just think rationally and with a level head.

 

[S. Grundy]

But that's stupid. AICN is antiPunisher: War Zone. Like Iesb. I remember to all people that AICN is the web site who published the letter from Tom Jane and his leaving. And yeah, AICN it's a Tom Jane fan.

Not really, Moriarty loved the 2004 film while Harry apparently hated the **** out of it, not to mention he was pretty much champion Lexi from the start.

 

[Nivek]

I'm sorry Nivek but I have to say this.

I do feel sorry for you for hating this movie since you had really high hopes up to it's release.

This is the second time I've seen you compare this to a Troma film.

Sorry I've seen most of their films(if you can call them that) and as over the top and cheesy PWZ may have been it was STILL no where in the ballpark or vicinity as being as horribly bad as any Troma film.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy Troma films. They are the best example of movies that are so bad their good/entertaining. I've never taken acting lessons in my life and don't think but know I could out act most of the people(I won't call them actors)that appear in a Troma film.

Complain about the stereotype accents in this film all you want but the acting was still leaps ahead of any Troma film.

I just think your being over the top yourself with your exaggerated comparisons of PWZ and Troma films.

Troma films are fun but PWZ(even for not being a great film) is still alot better then them in quality and acting.

Doesn't mean you have to let up on your hate of PWZ, just think rationally and with a level head.

sorry to disappoint Figs, but in my eyes Punisher: War Zone has a lot of Troma elements to it, and I really do believe that much of the villains acting is damn close to Troma films like Nuke 'em High, Surf Nazis must Die, and Toxie's series. I wanted better, but got some really sub-par acting out of people I had high hopes for and stuck up for.

 

[rogue trooper]

Another positive review: http://illinoistimes.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:9100

....up to 21% at Rotten Tomatoes.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

^Will you give it up, the movie just isn't critically acclaimed. You have to be the most annoying poster on these boards.

It's not enough that you like the movie, you want everyone else to. Guess what? They don't and that shouldn't matter to you as much as it does.

21% on Rotten Tomatoes is a horrible number and the movie is having a terrible go of it at the boxoffice.

I feel sorry for you because you can't accept reality.

 

[S. Grundy]

It's a critical and financial bomb, it's time to accept that.

 

[Microchip]

It's the critics review thread... he's posting a critic's review.

 

[rogue trooper]

^Will you give it up, the movie just isn't critically acclaimed. You have to be the most annoying poster on these boards.

It's not enough that you like the movie, you want everyone else to. Guess what? They don't and that shouldn't matter to you as much as it does.

21% on Rotten Tomatoes is a horrible number and the movie is having a terrible go of it at the boxoffice.

I feel sorry for you because you can't accept reality.

Look, you, all you're doing on these boards is basically trolling around, so if you're gonna call somebody "annoying" go to your nearest mirror!!

Admit it. You don't like the idea of the possibility of this movie picking up a little, since you have trash talked it to death, you may have to swallow some of your words. Right?

 

[IDrawDeadPeople]

You tell him, Rogue Trooper!



... and then get back to the Spirit forums, so WE can get back to calling you out for the exact same crap over there!

 

[rogue trooper]

quote=IDrawDeadPeople;16101089]You tell him, Rogue Trooper

Hi, IDDP!! How unusually pleasant to hear from you! LOL!! Anyway, "him" is a she, but what the heck.

... and then get back to the Spirit forums, so WE can get back to calling you out for the exact same crap over there!

[/QUOTE]

....and viceversa!!

 

[Punisher 04]

I think that the Karma was bad before PWZ came out with alot of guys in here for whatever reason. When you are in that state of mind going in its easy to pick it apart, you can do that with any movie if you wanted. I personally see that non fans like PWZ more. I liked it.

I totally agree.

 

[Punisher 04]

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.

When the hell did they release Midnight Meat Train, I watched the trailers but never heard the announcement of its release??

 

[rogue trooper]

When the hell did they release Midnight Meat Train, I watched the trailers but never heard the announcement of its release??

It went straight to retail theaters.