Punisher – War Zone (2008) 

Punisher – War Zone (2008) 

How strange! I’ve just seen this film recently and, as I write this, the lead actor has already left us almost three years ago. And I didn’t know it. It’s a strange feeling to become attached to an actor and then discover that he’s no longer with us when you read about him.

In this Punisher (another Marvel comic book adaptation, this time from 2008), Ray Stevenson played the title role. The film apparently failed in the US and was therefore distributed directly on DVD in Germany. Despite this failure, he landed another role in a Marvel film adaptation in 2011, in Thor, as well as its sequels Thor – The Dark World and Thor: Judgement Day, where he played the role of Volstagg.

I don’t know whether I loved this Punisher or just liked him. It’s a bit too brutal and gory for me. Well, I suspected as much! The Punisher, who like Deadpool is more of an anti-hero, has never been one for lace! And being directed by the German-Palestinian Lexi Alexander, it promised to be a blast! She’d had no qualms about creating Hooligans (2005), three years earlier, where half the film was already nothing but fighting.

There’s a commentary that says: “Hardcore action at its best! It’s not for wimps!” So be it!!!

That said, I like this character and I’m a fan of superheroes in general, even in the comics, long before the films. But I didn’t like The Punisher (1989), despite the fact that I adore Dolph Lundgren and will watch any film with him.

I can’t remember if I liked The Punisher (2004) with Thomas Jane. I have to give him a second chance. But it doesn’t seem to have made much of an impression on me. Some people thought he wasn’t the right choice to play the Punisher, far too soft. And yet, many of us really like Thomas Jane. It’s just that it was a nice little mainstream film that didn’t bother anyone, if not extremely tepid and watered down compared to this one. There’s a good chance that this second opus will end up being my favourite.

So, you’re absolutely entitled to think that the film with Lundgren (who’s fairly unknown in Europe) is the one that best captures the spirit of the comics, that the one with Jane is far too inoffensive and doesn’t capture the atmosphere of The Punisher and that this one with Stevenson is the toughest and most convincing.

Some people think that this second part isn’t as good despite some good actors or ‘Not better than the first, but more brutal!’ or ‘An old-fashioned action bomb as it should be!’
Right!
Let’s face it, this is THE Punisher of the comics: simply ruthless, uncompromising and merciless! Yes, some of our contemporaries would do well to inform themselves before proclaiming their outlandish ideas loud and clear, like this little review: “The first film adaptation with Dolph Lundgren was still good. The second one was also great
But this one is probably the biggest joke I’ve ever seen in my life…
It has absolutely nothing to do with the first part and that’s a real shame, because I was expecting a lot more from this sequel…”

So maybe in comics, depending on who it’s drawn by, it’s more bearable. Especially as when he ends up in Spider-Man, it’s even more mainstream!

In any case, if you want a good story, avoid this film, but if you want pure, unadulterated action and to discover the ‘real’ Punisher, go for it! You’ll see an offbeat film with some really great action scenes and a fair amount of black humour. A real firework display!

“At last, a Punisher who lives up to his name and gets straight to the point! Ray Stevenson is really good in this role, very convincing. A brutal action movie at its best.”
As a one-man commando of brutal destruction, the Punisher does exactly what he was created to do. In a chilling, emotionless manner, he takes out all the scum that have slipped through the cracks of justice.

Of course, you can hate the film and think that the actors are crap, the director is bad, the dialogue is stiff and what starts out as a springboard quickly turns into a coffin. Those who don’t want to see violence should watch something else. Fortunately, there are enough other kinds of films.

For once, I think there are too many interesting villains… and not enough of them. The trio who do acrobatics, for example, should have had a bigger role and been in a more spectacular fight.

Unfortunately, there’s always that annoying side to these films, that “Don’t ask questions, it’s just the way it is and that’s that! And you have to accept everything! Like the moment when we discover that the villains actually know where the hero’s hideout is (???), but decide to kill one of his friends and kidnap others… rather than wait for him at home!
And why send a whole army to eliminate him, when you know that the brother of the underworld godfather wants nothing more than to take him on! If it’s to send in cannon fodder and exhaust the main character, I can understand… but… whatever!

Conclusion:

Another straightforward action film that should also appeal to fans of gory movies. The Punisher is uncompromising in his bloody profession.

Entertaining, no-nonsense and no-holds-barred. The film may be quickly forgotten, except by its fans, but it’s worth the diversions!

Punish them all!!!
Tough and brutal: simply Punisher!
So, you bad guys, never forget: IF SOCIETY DOESN’T PUNISH THE GUILTY, HE WILL!

A hard-hitting film about a vigilante who lives up to his name. The picture and sound are very good.
There’s bound to be a modified, shortened and censored version… but what’s the point? You either like it or you don’t, do you?

RIP Ray Stevenson!