The Punisher (2004)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Gregory D

  
  This is one of those films that was dismissed before it was even given a chance. I understand the sentiment; comic book style films are usually not worth the time to watch, especially one with such a derivative name. However The Punisher is actually a very passionate, powerful film.… More
  This is one of those films that was dismissed before it was even given a chance. I understand the sentiment; comic book style films are usually not worth the time to watch, especially one with such a derivative name. However The Punisher is actually a very passionate, powerful film. Two actors in particular really impressed me: Ben Foster and Will Patton. Pay attention to Patton's interrogation scene with Foster as well as Travolta's confrontation with his right hand man (Patton's character.) Both are quite provocative. The film itself is violent at times, but the periods of calm are actually quite engaging. The side characters are memorable. This is definately a worthwhile film thats worth a shot.

• Brad W

  
  I didn't enjoy this movie, it has a cliche premise and doesnt let loose with the action. He isn't as cool as they make him out to be, but he is tough. John Travolta is a good actor in this, as for the rest of the cast, they all have fake accents and dumb names. The plot is… More
  I didn't enjoy this movie, it has a cliche premise and doesnt let loose with the action. He isn't as cool as they make him out to be, but he is tough. John Travolta is a good actor in this, as for the rest of the cast, they all have fake accents and dumb names. The plot is simple enough, hes pissed at people for killing his family, bad luck to The Punisher. I was bored to tears when watching thios movie because there were no exciring action scenes, they were all boring and cliche. So other than John Travolta and some interesting momenst in the movie, this was a very big dissappointment for me.

• Jeff "

  
  First of two Punisher reboots, this film has Thomas Jane playing Frank Castle /The Punisher. Now I have yet to see the original with Dolph Lundgren, but I enjoyed this film. For me though this is fairly interesting and action packed film that delivers the thrills. But theres something… More
  First of two Punisher reboots, this film has Thomas Jane playing Frank Castle /The Punisher. Now I have yet to see the original with Dolph Lundgren, but I enjoyed this film. For me though this is fairly interesting and action packed film that delivers the thrills. But theres something missing too. John Travolta is a good choice to play the villain, and he redeems himself with his crap performance in the ultimate crap fest, Battlefield Earth. Jane is good in the role, but he doesn't seem at ease in the part. Ray Stevenson was more convincing in the part. The action is great, the story could have been better.at times, and some characters could have a bit more developed. One thing that could have been better was the fact that the characters could have been a bit more serious. I thought that some of the scenes were silly. Thats one of the reasons why the reboot, Punisher: Warzone is a step up above this film. Warzone though lacking in story, was serious enough compared to this film. Despite this, This film does provide good action and thrills. But there is massive room for improvement. Thomas Jane's portrayal of Frank Castle isn't the best there is, Stevenson in Warzone definitely delivered a better version of Frank Castle. Jane seemed too dramatic, depressed (I know a mob hit squad killed his family) But being a drunk a recluse was odd. Jane didn't bring his all to the table, and I don't like Thomas Jane. Despite this, like I've mentioned, the film delivers on action, and the villains are simply intense. Thats one thing the following film couldn't do as good, the intensity of some of the villains, the cold blooded quality of travolta and Patton was chilling. This is what made this film watchable. A good film that leaves a lot for improvement, luckily, they delivered a terrific reboot in Punisher: Warzone.

• Anthony L

  
  The Punisher isn't all that bad but it isn't great. As an avid comic fan I have to say Punisher was one of my least favourite characters. The cast are pretty good here but ultimately wasted, it was a pleasure to see Roy Scheider as Daddy Punisher but I'm just not sure… More
  The Punisher isn't all that bad but it isn't great. As an avid comic fan I have to say Punisher was one of my least favourite characters. The cast are pretty good here but ultimately wasted, it was a pleasure to see Roy Scheider as Daddy Punisher but I'm just not sure it was worth the five seconds he was in it for. The story is based on the original story of how Frank Castle became the Punisher but it is full of holes, there are hints of great ideas (Harry Heck was ace but again, only in it for 5 seconds) but there are just too many awful ideas. Why was so much time spent with his stupid neighbours? Should have been a lot better but it could have been worse. I'm not to bothered though as I said, I was never a big fan in the first place and it was entertaining enough for a bit of silly action.

• xGary X

  
  Undercover agent Frank Castle's sting operation causes the death of a crime kingpin's son who promptly has his entire family murdered in retribution, causing him to become a heavily armed vigilante sworn to vengeance. I never read The Punisher comics, mainly because I… More
  Undercover agent Frank Castle's sting operation causes the death of a crime kingpin's son who promptly has his entire family murdered in retribution, causing him to become a heavily armed vigilante sworn to vengeance. I never read The Punisher comics, mainly because I didn't really find the idea of a character who was just another meat head with a gun who had no powers or mystical back story very interesting. And if that is in fact an accurate description of the character, then the film has done a very good job of adapting it. In fact I don't really understand who this film is supposed to be aimed at; the attempts at humour that mainly involve the wacky nerds who live next door are childish and peurile, but the 18 certificate and grim violence mean that children are (supposedly) not the audience. The characters are all two dimensional even by the standards of a comic strip, their relationships completely unconvincing and the performances non-descript and bland, which is not helped by unimaginative direction that completely lacks the kind of visual flair that makes a comic book movie work. It is clearly trying to ape the atmosphere and tone of Batman or The Crow but the writers and director obviously don't realise that "gratuitously violent" is not the same as "dark". Basically all you're doing is watching a muscleman in black shoot a load of blokes with fat necks and bad haircuts which means it's indistinguishable from every other Hollywood action film. In its defence it is not boring, but in the end The Punisher is less a superhero than a Jean Claude Van Damme wannabe in an emo T-shirt.

• Cynthia S

  
  Thomas Jane did a great job!! An extra plus for this movie was that it also had some humor, which often draws me in.

• Film C

  
  I love this punisher, its brilliant, its a good adaptation of the game and succeeds into a good movie unlike some other movies from games!! Its got a good cast and is action packed, thats entertaining to watch!! if you like revenge, clever, action packed shoot em up movies and you… More
  I love this punisher, its brilliant, its a good adaptation of the game and succeeds into a good movie unlike some other movies from games!! Its got a good cast and is action packed, thats entertaining to watch!! if you like revenge, clever, action packed shoot em up movies and you enjoyed the game then you wont be disappointed in the movie! Worth a watch!!

• KJ P

  
  great action! One of marvels best R-rated flicks!

• Conner R

  
  What I dislike about this movie so much is that it could have been amazing. It has, for the most part, Garth Ennis' Welcome back Frank storyline. It has a good Punisher and supporting cast, but John Travolta as a ruthless mobster was completely unbelievable and destroyed the… More
  What I dislike about this movie so much is that it could have been amazing. It has, for the most part, Garth Ennis' Welcome back Frank storyline. It has a good Punisher and supporting cast, but John Travolta as a ruthless mobster was completely unbelievable and destroyed the movie. Add a Florida backdrop and it makes for a trainwreck of a movie.

• Wahida K

  
  The Scene in bank was Awesome. Playing cowboys in the Banks. great. lol Thomas Jane was an Awesome choice for this Movie and understandable he dropped out for the "sequel"

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"This Is Not Revenge. It's Punishment!"</i> After his wife and family are killed, G-Man Frank Castle takes it upon himself to distribute punishment to those responsible for the vendetta. <center><font size=+2 face="Century… More
  <i>"This Is Not Revenge. It's Punishment!"</i> After his wife and family are killed, G-Man Frank Castle takes it upon himself to distribute punishment to those responsible for the vendetta. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Dark, brutal and violent adaptation of the cult Marvel comics anti-hero rises above the genre with a pitch perfect Eastwoodian turn by Jane as recently retired federal agent Frank Castle whose world is turned upside down when his entire family is slaughtered by evil businessman Howard Saint (Travolta, practically licking his lips with vulpine ferocity) for the death of his own son. Left for dead Castle assumes the persona of The Punisher as a vigilante who will stop at nothing to avenge the memories of his beloved. Fantastic action sequences with pulpy undertones (including one priceless bout with Jane and Russian giant Nash that equals classic Bond bouts) and some welcome comic relief in the form of de facto family of misfits Stamos, Foster and Pinette in the dilapidated rooming house Jane sets up his arsenal of death. Veteran genre screenwriter Jonathan Hensleigh makes a fine directorial debut with kinetic skills and sharply observed nuances to the comic book stylings of the genre. Kudos also to cinematographer Conrad W. Hall's bruised palette of stark neo-realism with a touch of sinister sleek glitz.

• Dean !

  
  Have to say this one slipped me by, had no idea this was made so recently and had the likes of John Travolta in it! A very good action film with plenty of shoot outs and stunts. It has a well assembled cast of recognizable faces. A basic tale of revenge but how he goes about it, is… More
  Have to say this one slipped me by, had no idea this was made so recently and had the likes of John Travolta in it! A very good action film with plenty of shoot outs and stunts. It has a well assembled cast of recognizable faces. A basic tale of revenge but how he goes about it, is what makes the film good.

• Sanjaya &

  
  One of the worst movies I've ever seen... Not only the story which is very bad, the directing style, the cast, and the most disturbing thing is there is too many scenes taken in the dark places or it's a night scenes, so for me, it's pretty annoying...

• David S

  
  Not being as familiar with the Marvel character as I am Spider-Man and the X-Men, I'm not sure if this film adaptation is entirely faithful in terms of character. What I do know, is that this film is boring. It is dull. Most people who know me assume it's my lack of… More
  Not being as familiar with the Marvel character as I am Spider-Man and the X-Men, I'm not sure if this film adaptation is entirely faithful in terms of character. What I do know, is that this film is boring. It is dull. Most people who know me assume it's my lack of interest with the action genre. I retaliate by saying I've been able to enjoy more action these days, especially after seeing the first Die Hard film (ironic that the second almost reverted my thinking back. Can't comment on the last two installments as of this point). But this couldn't decide whether it was a shoot'em-all-let-God-sort-them-out action film or an action film with a character study on the man behind the gun. Doesn't help that I found Frank Castle's supporting cast annoying. Rebecca, why are you here? Isn't being Mystique satisfying enough? Are you here to be a romantic interest? The man's wife just died for crying out loud! And is Marvel obsessed with Amy Lee? Evanescence provided two tracks for Daredevil (My Immortal, which I actually like. Only the heavy version though, the one ending with little music is anti-climatic; the other track being the repulsive Bring Me To Life, or as I call it, the track Linkin Park had the good sense not to make. Don't think they were offered it, but it does sound like one of their cast offs) and now she's here with Seether for Broken. While the song itself is good, it doesn't fit with the Punisher. It's too angsty, instead of being a true reflection of Frank Castle. Wouldn't something with a "he who fights monsters" theme be more fitting? Hasn't Metallica done something like that? Short review since it was too boring to say much on. I end with this thought: I find it ironic that perhaps the easiest comic book character to make a film of, due to lack of special effects or fantastical elements, has had three attempts, none of which have worked. Let's face it, he's done for now. Maybe in another decade, sure. But let's get back to the Invincible Iron Man and the Caped Crusader and leave the Punisher to the comics.

• Khris N

  
  TOTALLY underated - comic book adaptations should be true to the comics - so stuff everyone's critics. This is meant to be a dark, brooding, violent movie no holds barred!

• Josh L

  
  A decent action movie, but nothing compared to recent comic book adaptations.

• Corey W

  
  Better than 2

• Julie B

  
  I finally broke down and watched this. It wasn't cartoony enough for the violence not to bother me, but I think I've just become a Thomas Jane fan :)

• Justin Y

  
  Another Marvel character comes to life in <i>The Punisher</i>. This time it is all about the punishment.<p>The story for <i>The Punisher</i> is really straight forward and it is not very deep at all, which is why it isn't as memorable as other… More
  Another Marvel character comes to life in <i>The Punisher</i>. This time it is all about the punishment.<p>The story for <i>The Punisher</i> is really straight forward and it is not very deep at all, which is why it isn't as memorable as other Marvel films. At least it is easy to follow. The plot actually tries to give a buildup in the beginning, but it is too long. I don't know, maybe Samantha Mathis and Roy Scheider needed the airtime. The rest of the film is all about the Frank Castle character and how he seeks his revenge on those who deserve it. This leaves for a rather unoriginal picture.</p><p>This film does have its share of action and the nice thing about it is that it doesn't rely on CG. This is straight forward explosive action. Although this picture has an R rating for the violence and the language, it is still a little conservative, except for the ending. This is the "Punisher" we are talking about here. Why hold back? Still, the action scenes are nicely written.</p><p>The casting is pretty weak. Thomas Jane doesn't fail at portraying Frank Castle, but he isn't exactly the best choice. The same can be said about John Travolta. Will Patton and Eddie Jemison are only so-so as well. Honestly, the only characters that have life and are enjoyable are Castle's neighbors, played by Rebecca Romijn, Ben Foster, and John Pinette.</p><p>In the end, <i>The Punisher</i> does have its moments and while it isn't a waste of time, it is average at best.

• Ginny  

  
  Perhaps Im rating this low cuz I dont really know the comic book story, but... There were only 2 things I liked with this movie, 1. Thomas Janes looks *ahem* and 2. The part where he blows stuff up. When I finished watching the entire film I was like... What?? That was it?? Eesh!!… More
  Perhaps Im rating this low cuz I dont really know the comic book story, but... There were only 2 things I liked with this movie, 1. Thomas Janes looks *ahem* and 2. The part where he blows stuff up. When I finished watching the entire film I was like... What?? That was it?? Eesh!! Watch it if you must satisfy your curiosity, but its not that entertaining at all... as for me I didnt like it so Im not recommending it to anyone

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