Walktheline 47

I've been a huge Punisher fan since I discovered him on a 'Marvel Legends' trading card when I was about 8 or so...he's been my favorite Marvel character since then. I grew up watching the 1989 film over and over while consuming any comic I could get my hands on that was Punisher-related. My passion for this character has long been established in my mind for what feels like a lifetime. With all of that said I did enjoy the 2004 version for what it was when I first saw all those years ago but at the same time I must confess that even being so young and naïve I still felt a feeling of...disappointment. When you compare the violence/action of the '89 and '04 movies you'll find a stark difference. The '89 film for what it's worth, sported heavy amounts of Frank Castle doing what he does best, whereas the '04 film left me wondering why Castle wasn't being as brutal as I felt he should've been. *SPOILERS* The plot is sort of convoluted just for the sake of it, because instead of just systematically killing the Saints(the mob that slew his entire family) like he probably would have in the comics, he decides to try and make the family destroy themselves from within by sabotaging their business/personal affairs...and speaking of affairs, Livia Saint. the woman who ordered the death of his entire family died far too easily in my opinion, and with that said Castle should have been the one to do it. You'll understand this when you watch the film. In the extended cut, it was revealed that Castle's friend Jimmy was responsible for the Saints finding out about his identity which leads Frank to force Jimmy to commit suicide(yes, I'm serious). It sounds jarringly silly when you read it, but it's a dark, powerful scene that I REALLY wish would've been kept for the theatrical release as the sub-plot it revolves around would've tied up some loose ends and answered some questions. The score is sometimes really good at supporting a scene when it needs to and other times it's a bit off. The action sequences aren't quite as fluid I'd have liked them to be and the editing during those scenes can be pretty choppy. As far as the acting goes I've always thought that Thomas Jane was a strong, solid portrayal of The Punisher but in my opinion, not the best. In my mind that goes to Dolph Lundgren film-wise, and in general, Jon Bernthal. Anyway, I digress. This film is entertaining enough but always leaves me wanting more as a fan. It is a shame that it never got a sequel as the concept that was introduced here could have been GREATLY expanded upon with more focus and less fat. I honestly feel like the sequel to Thomas Jane's film is the best Punisher movie we never got and will sadly never see...but atleast we have the Netflix version to ease the pain.