I really enjoyed The Punisher (2004) though I don't think Thomas Jane made a good Punisher he is a competent enough actor to have pulled it off.
When I heard about this one 4yrs later I had no interest, I was frustrated that it had essentially been rebooted and that Jane was no longer playing Frank Castle.
Here we are 9yrs later I've finally given it a chance and I'm saddened I didn't earlier. Punisher: War Zone is not the brainless action flick cash grab that I expected, in fact it rivals the 2004 version.
For a start Ray Stevenson is perfectly cast as The Punisher, he looks perfect and blows Jane & even Lungren out of the water. He thoroughly takes the role and makes it his amidst a host of great actors and characters.
Extremely violent and quite loyal to the original material this is something I could have gotten behind if it had become a franchise.
I'm not an action junkie, in fact I'd say it is by far one of my least favourite genres but when its done right like it is here it makes for some great entertainment.
Ignore the critics and put the 2004 version aside for a moment, War Zone is a damn decent film.
The Good:
Remarkably violent (As it should be)
Awesome soundtrack
Very competent cast
Ray Stevenson makes a great Punisher
The Bad:
Accents are hit and miss
Recasting/Reebooting so soon after the last movie was a stupid move
Hero is a Christian, villain is an atheist. Overwhelming irony
Jigsaw monologue scene was dumb
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
I would love to see this Punisher added to the Marvel Universe
R-Rated superhero movies were a thing before Deadpool
Julie Benz is ageless
