(Film Review) The Punisher

Time to read: 2 min read

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I have work to do. Read your newspaper everyday and you'll understand.

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Obituaries.

Review

Punisher has always been one of my favourite superheroes from the Marvel universe because unlike other heroes who are clearly a force for good, Punisher is nuanced and he has no superpowers except his willpower to take revenge on people that have wronged him. Unlike the other heroes, Punisher feels more human. The Punisher portrays Punisher’s origin story, from an undercover FBI agent to a bitter and ruthless vigilante.

The story stays true to the source comics; it’s extremely violent and filled with non-stop action. Thomas Jane, in the role of the titular character, portrays a deeply troubled and driven avenger on a bloody path of revenge. Jane portrays the strong and silent archetype very well. John Travolta plays Howard Saint, the chief antagonist; while not outstanding, Travolta gets the job done.

With its corny dialogue and badass one-liners, the film feels old-school, almost like an 80s action movie. Although Jane’s Punisher has not returned to the big screen after this film, he did star in an excellent short film in this role.

Conclusion

A superficially entertaining film.

Overall rating: 7.8

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