Third time’s a charm.
It took Marvel Entertainment three tries – two with Lionsgate – but I think they finally got it right. Director Lexi Alexander (Hooligans) takes a page from Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” and gives Punisher: War Zone a darkened setting. Fitting, especially for a grim and gritty character based on Garth Ennis’s Punisher Max comic book series through Marvel Comics.
Thankfully, Alexander avoided a detailed retelling of the origin of Frank Castle (the Punisher), instead opting to use the opening credits and brief flashbacks to inform the uninitiated. Ray Stevenson brings a certain gravity to the role of the Punisher, giving the character more life than its previous incarnations (I’m looking at you, Dolph). Dominic West (Jigsaw) does a pretty good job as the villain, being as equally brutal and ruthless as his anti-heroic counterpart.
Surprisingly, I didn’t notice the serious lack of explosions that usually accompany a solid dick flick until afterwords. This version of the Punisher prefers brute force and total annhiliation with bullets and fisticuffs, resorting to boom tactics where necessary and for comedic affect. Hell, even some of the brutality was hilarious. Followers of the comic book series will no doubt appreciate a nod to one of the more popular Punisher cover artists, Tim Bradstreet, when the stage for the final scene gets set.
If you love brutality in your movies, this ones for you. It’s up there with the new Rambo.
