Movie Review: The Punisher

The New One (Mostly)


This is a movie based on the classic Punisher comic book.  A respectable piece of fiction in and of itself.  While no movie can really do the comic justice, I think this movie did a fairly good job of depecting ole Frank Castle.  Break out the popcorn kids, this might be a long one.


The Good


Let's start with Frank himself.

Before I go on to this movie I must honor the previous Punisher movie and Dolf Lungren, who was the first Frank Castle. 



 
Look at this crazy mofo. Would you want to run into him in a dark alley? Hell no. We who are about to Dolf salute you!


The new movie's Frank Castle is Thomas Jane. He is the more human of the two Punishers. Dolf has the personality of an alien cyborg compared to Jane.



 
Thomas Jane gives the Punisher a more human face.


Jane kicks ass in this movie.



 Rebecca-Romijn Stamos, what a hottie. I mean, her acting was great in this movie.




 To your left.... The Russian, just look at that monster.



 This car makes me weep with joy.





John Travolta was also good in this movie, but he is always decent. He was almost too good for this film though.



The Bad



The plot. Very basic, very straightforward.  I would say that is unusual, but its not.  The Punisher is a straightforward guy, you are bad, he kills you.  It makes for fun comics and ok flow for movies.


Continuity issues, they had this with the first one too.  It is what happens in Punisher flicks.  Like the part where the Russian fucks Castle up and he drinks half a bottle of Wild Turkey in one gulp.  Then the Jolly Blonde Giant stitches his ass up.  There is no way he would come out of that elevator all sober and mentally aware like he was.  They made an effort to have this movie more grounded in reality and then went and did that scene.  That pisses me off.


It is another origin movie.  The did it in the first movie version, and they did it here too.  They basically did the "why the punisher is the punisher" story. Thats cool and all, but hey I have an idea. That wheel has already been invented, lets not reinvent it over and over.  Why not just have a movie of the punisher whooping some more ass and taking more names next time?



 No Louis Gossett Jr., that's who the Punishers partner should have been.  Of the two movies he was the best partner/supporting actor. 







The Rating


I would give this movie an 7-8/10.  Jane made a great Punisher, and he was human.  Which was Marvel's big thing with the ole vigilante.  The plot was lame, but the actors ruled.  The fights were well done.  It also had Rebecca Romijn in it.  I think it stayed pretty true to Punisher cannon, so yes, it has my highly sought after stamp of approval.

Happy New Year... or something like that

I am the harbinger of luck.

Thats right. I said it, I am the harbinger of luck.

Did you know....

0 It was considered lucky to eat food that was circular in shape on new years, as it represented the completion of a full circle.
0 It was considered particularly lucky to have the first visitor you see in the new year be a tall, dark haired man. No bullshit.
0 Rice and cabbage are considered lucky foods to eat on new years day/night.
0 Jan 1 is just an arbitrary day, the real new year occurs on the first new moon after the vernal equinox.

That being said, let me share with you dear reader, my new year eve. This year of course, actually... no less than four hours ago. Here I sit, in the darkened chamber of my room with naught but a lit candle and a half full bottle of wine. The snow is falling lightly if relentlessly outside. By lamplight it provides sufficient illumination to see as if it were twilight. Given this atmosphere and the onset of some inebriation... I think I'll actually write one post here with some unique if non-specific substance about me.

That being said, it was a fairly decent new year eve. I hardly drank at all, visited three parties, and felt at home in none. They were all full of friendly people, all had plenty of drink and things to eat. However, I realized what was lacking was someone to share it with. I suppose being around people on the new year is better than being alone, but a step up from that would be being around someone or someones you can share a night of revelry with. Being a fairly recent arrival here I have found that making friends is a more difficult prospect that I anticipated. I know many, but have few friends. I suppose it just takes time. Though with a few good friends you wouldnt need parties, the party would be where you are.

The eve also makes me re-evaluate the nature of my relations with people and how I conduct myself. I suppose such things are natural. I think I need to rededicate myself to not persue happiness. Many great writers have asserted that when one is consumed with action one can find happiness. But when one is searching or even dare I say the ugly word, grasping.. for it, one finds it not. I think I shall focus this year on deepening ties with people I know and perfecting what it is that I do. I know, not great revelations in themselves, and certainly not original ideas. They are significant for me nonetheless.

With that dear reader, I will leave you with this. I wish you a most productive and happy year. I wish upon you fortune and good fruits borne by your labour. May this year be better than your last one.