This is a simple piece of entertainment, that with the exception of a few key scenes you would never guess has anything to with Marvel Comics, unless you have read them. The plot as outlined many times before is that special forces guy Frank Castle kills a gangsters son in his last mission and the Gangster (John Travolta) attempts to kill all of Castles family as well as him in revenge. Castle survives and seeks his own revenge.

Its reasonable well done, and certainly entertaining. I was particularly fond of Castles relationship with his oddball neighbours and the loyalty that they both show to each other in the end. However in my view it was let down by a slightly wooden performance from Thomas Jane in the leading role. I never really believed in him... I could imagine this role being done very well by Hugh Jackman. Naturally John Travolta is good in his role.

Look out for Kevin Nash, an ex professional wrestler as "The Russian" who is almost a foot taller then The Punisher!

The video I ordered as a Christmas present came quickly and in plenty of time for the holidays!

Thomas Jane in "The Punisher" proves brawn and good looks don't necessary make for a compelling "Superhero." Jane lacked the prerequisite charisma necessary for audiences to root for his ultimate victory. John Travolta's character, Howard Saint, is cool and collected, but underneath his calm exterior beats the heart of his "Swordfish," character--- Gabriel. Travolta is so riveting, as a bad guy, that you hope he wins in the end. Cheering for Travolta says more about the ineptitude of Jane rather that the tour de force of Travolta. Even when Jane's entire family is exterminated by the hired guns of Howard Saint (Travolta), you don't sympathize with him. Typically, when the protagonist is laying the foundation for his motivation and concurrent actions, you either lament with him through extreme "pathos" for his lost or ponder his next move. The internal dialogue being, "I'd feel the same way if someone killed my family in such a heinous fashion." The second option would be sympathizing with the character's "Ice in the veins." Denzel Washington did it adroitly in "Man on Fire." By taking the only person he loved, Washington made you feel his extremes for retribution were warranted. Not so with "The Punisher." No feelings are evoked. The brooding, mysterious man of action, just doesn't work for Thomas Jane. Actor Josh Hartnett would have done for "The Punisher" what Christian Bale did for "Batman". Largely, provide depth and context to the action.

I recommend "The Punisher" for Travolta's portrayal as well as the supporting cast as organized criminals with charismatic edges. Absent the supporting cast, "The Punisher" feels like punishment.

Edward Brown
Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute
www.core-edge.com

The Bottom Line:

Unfairly maligned by critics, The Punisher offers a appealingly retro vigilante movie that slides nicely up against the Mad Max movies, (which it strongly resembles) albeit without the flair of Miller's trilogy.

This is not a review of the Movie itself so may others have already done so.

Rather It is to make others aware that this is NOT the EXTENDED CUT previously released on DVD. This is the basic version shown in theaters. The EXTENDED CUT has a running time of 140 mins, where this version is only 123 mins. Every other Marvel Blu I have purchases has been the EXTENDED, or DIRECTOR, or UNRATED CUTS. I was Disappointed that I did not check this info out before placing my order. It was my assumption this Blu would be on par with the rest of them.


I hope this help others who might also prefer the EXTENDED CUTS of the films. Learn from my mistake =)