The Punisher (2004)

Director:

Jonathan Hensleigh

Writers (WGA):

Jonathan Hensleigh (written by) and
Michael France (written by)

Release Date:

16 April 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

This Is Not Revenge. It's Punishment!

Plot:

After his wife and family are killed, G-Man Frank Castle takes it upon himself to distribute punishment to those responsible for the vendetta.

Plot Keywords:

Undercover | Family Reunion | Revenge | FBI | Vigilante

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

A. Russell Andrews	...	Jimmy Weeks (as Russell Andrews)
Omar Avila	...	Joe Toro
James Carpinello	...	Bobby Saint / John Saint
Mark Collie	...	Harry Heck
Russell Durham Comegys	...	Tattooed Mike (as Russ Comegys)
Antoni Corone	...	T.J.
Rick Elmhurst	...	Bay News 9 Newscaster
Ben Foster	...	Spacker Dave
Michael Reardon	...	Toro Croupier (as Michael Francis)
Laura Harring	...	Livia Saint
William Haze	...	EMT (as William Hasenzahl)
Thomas Jane	...	Frank Castle (as Tom Jane)
Eddie Jemison	...	Mickey Duka
Marco St. John	...	Police Chief Morris
Marcus Johns	...	Will Castle
Bonnie Johnson	...	Betty Castle
Veryl Jones	...	Candelaria
Carleth Keys	...	Bay News 9 Newscaster
Alan Lilly	...	Accountant #3
Terry Loughlin	...	Spoon
Marc Macaulay	...	Dante
Samantha Mathis	...	Maria Castle
Jim Meskimen	...	Accountant #1
Kevin Nash	...	The Russian
Tom Nowicki	...	Lincoln
Robin O'Dell	...	Field Reporter
Will Patton	...	Quentin Glass
Yamil Piedra	...	Toro Pit Boss
John Pinette	...	Bumpo
Steve Raulerson	...	Yuri Astrov
Rebecca Romijn	...	Joan (as Rebecca Romijn-Stamos)
Roy Scheider	...	Frank Castle Sr.
Hank Stone	...	Cutter
Sonny Surowiec	...	Saint Puerto Rico Enforcer
Jack Swanson	...	Accountant #2
Josh Thomas	...	NBC Newscaster
John Travolta	...	Howard Saint
Eduardo Yáñez	...	Mike Toro (as Eduardo Yanez)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bobby Black	...	Chino Binamo (as Bobby Black)
Vincent Lecavalier	...	Himself (scenes deleted)
John Lynch	...	Himself (scenes deleted)
John Baker	...	News Reporter (uncredited)
David Broitman	...	Kyle (uncredited)
Jeff Chase	...	Enforcer (uncredited)
Georgia Chris	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Charleene Closshey	...	Castle Family Friend (uncredited)
Darla Delgado	...	Castle Family Member (uncredited)
Michael Thomas Dunn	...	Beach Visitor (uncredited)
Hatcher Flaschen	...	Sales Person (uncredited)
Khris Gibston	...	FBI Agent (uncredited)
Russell Hess	...	Underground Casino Winner (uncredited)
John Hill	...	Casino Patron (uncredited)
Jillian Kinsman	...	Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
J.C. Loader	...	Night Club Singer (uncredited)
Nick Loren	...	Agent Moss (uncredited)
Walter Medina	...	Flirt at Casino Tables (uncredited)
Michael A. Quill	...	Lieutenant (uncredited)
Kassie Spielman	...	Castle Family Member (uncredited)
Heather Trzyna	...	Castle Family Member (uncredited)

Directed by
Jonathan Hensleigh

Writing credits (WGA)
Jonathan Hensleigh		(written by) and
Michael France		(written by)

Produced by
Ari Arad	....	co-producer
Avi Arad	....	producer
Anson Downes	....	associate producer
Christopher Eberts	....	executive producer
Linda Favila	....	associate producer
Kevin Feige	....	executive producer
Andrew Golov	....	executive producer
Andreas Grosch	....	co-producer
Patrick Gunn	....	executive producer
Gale Anne Hurd	....	producer
Stan Lee	....	executive producer
John Leonetti	....	co-producer: animated intro (extended cut)
Amir Jacob Malin	....	executive producer (as Amir Malin)
Chris Roberts	....	executive producer (as Christopher Roberts)
Richard Saperstein	....	executive producer
Andreas Schmid	....	executive producer
John H. Starke	....	executive producer (as John Starke)

Original Music by
Carlo Siliotto

Cinematography by
Conrad W. Hall		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jeff Gullo
Steven Kemper

Casting by
Pam Dixon

Production Design by
Michael Z. Hanan

Art Direction by
John Dexter
John Hansen
Steve Saklad
Jarik Van Sluijs

Set Decoration by
Casey Hallenbeck

Costume Design by
Lisa Tomczeszyn

Makeup Department
Ozzy Alvarez	....	lab makeup effects
Carla Antonino	....	makeup artist
Michele Baylis	....	hair stylist: Tom Jane
Michele Baylis	....	makeup artist: Tom Jane
Deborah Brozovich	....	additional hair stylist
Michelle Bühler	....	makeup artist: Mr. Travolta
Leo Corey Castellano	....	assistant makeup artist: second unit (as Leo Corey Catalaneau)
Lee Grimes	....	key makeup artist
Jane Hassinger	....	hair stylist
Rodger Jacobs	....	makeup artist (as Roger Jacobs)
Kris Kobzina	....	special makeup effects artist
Matthew W. Mungle	....	prosthetics creator
Matthew Petty	....	hair stylist
Carol Raskin	....	hair stylist
Randa Squillacote	....	key hair stylist
Kathe Swanson	....	hair department head
Yolanda Toussieng	....	hair stylist: Mr. Travolta
Gary Walker	....	hair department head
Christine Wostak	....	makeup artist
Ann-Maree Hurley	....	day-check makeup artist (uncredited)
Diana Thomas-Madison	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Janet Fries Eckholm	....	post-production supervisor
Kiley Fascia	....	production supervisor
John H. Starke	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Steve Battaglia	....	second second assistant director
Christian Clarke	....	second assistant director: second unit
Gianna DeGiulio	....	dga trainee
Gary Hymes	....	second unit director
Richard Oswald	....	second assistant director
Marten W. Piccinini	....	first assistant director: second unit
David Sardi	....	first assistant director
Cheeba White	....	key second assistant director: second unit

Art Department
John Balling	....	scenic gang boss
Paul Catling	....	concept artist
Don Cinderella	....	set dresser
Gina B. Cranham	....	set designer
Stephen P. Durante	....	lead man
Stephen I. Erdberg	....	buyer
Michael J. Flynn	....	greensman
Richard Fojo	....	set designer
Daniel J. Gillooly	....	greens coordinator
Charles Guanci Jr.	....	prop master
James Harris	....	general foreman
Jeffrey P. Harris	....	painter
Paul J. Hendricks	....	construction gang boss
Steven Kerlagon	....	paint supervisor
Karey Kersey	....	art department production assistant
Robert Loring Jr.	....	greens foreman
Jeff 'J.Mac' McDonald	....	set dresser
Marc Messenger	....	storyboard artist
Michael Metzel	....	construction coordinator
Rosa Palomo	....	buyer
Linda Pilgrim	....	scenic
Chris Purser	....	assistant property master
Jeremy Alan Read	....	on-set greensman
Doug Relkin	....	construction production assistant
Alan S. Reynolds	....	scenic artist foreman
Christopher Scheetz	....	construction gangboss
Roger Sherman	....	scenic artist
Chad Simpson	....	paint foreman
Rich Swim	....	set dresser: dayplayer
Sean R. Wilson	....	props
Ben Wolcott	....	graphic designer
Carla Bailey	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Layron DeJarnette	....	opening title sequence animator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Steve Bartkowicz	....	re-recording engineer
Vladislav Boyadjiev	....	sound assistant
Kelly Cabral	....	supervising sound editor
Paul Timothy Carden	....	co-supervising sound editor
Tim Cooney	....	sound mixer
Rickley W. Dumm	....	sound effects editor
Jason King	....	sound effects editor
Ai-Ling Lee	....	sound effects editor
Chris Navarro	....	adr recordist
Thomas O'Neil Younkman	....	sound effects editor
Aynee Osborn	....	assistant sound editor
Sarah Payan	....	sound editor
Alberto Rossetto	....	sound assistant
Mike Schmidt	....	boom operator (as Michael Schmidt)
Brad Sherman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Randy Smith	....	utility cable
Unsun Song	....	re-recording recordist
Edward M. Steidele	....	foley artist
Marco Streccioni	....	sound engineer
Jon Taylor	....	re-recording mixer
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
Chris Trent	....	foley mixer
Jerry Trent	....	foley artist
Lars Bjerre	....	dialogue denoising (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Robert Caban	....	special effects technician
Michael H. Clark	....	special effects technician
Peter Damien	....	special effects technician
Kevin Harris	....	special effects director
Thomas Kittle	....	on-set coordinator
Jack Lynch	....	special effects technician
John Patteson	....	special effects
Richard E. Perry	....	special effects foreman
Durk Tyndall	....	special effects
Damon Wellner	....	special effects
David McElroy	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Carl Beyer	....	visual effects production manager
Steven Fagerquist	....	visual effects compositing artist
Peter Koczera	....	senior digital artist
Derek Ledbetter	....	visual effects artist
Ramjasha Rhodes	....	visual effects production assistant
Andrew Shuford	....	visual effects assistant
Brian Smallwood	....	digital compositor
Norie Varga	....	visual effects artist
Gene Warren III	....	model supervisor
Gene Warren Jr.	....	visual effects supervisor
Christopher Warren	....	director of miniature photography
Damon Wellner	....	production assistant: Fantasy II
Johnny Wilson	....	compositor
Rick Won	....	model foreman
Tony Magaletta	....	first assistant cameraman (uncredited)

Stunts
Tom Akos	....	stunts
Peter Donald Badalamenti II	....	stunt double
Jennifer Badger	....	stunt double
Chick Bernhardt	....	stunts
Joe Bucaro III	....	stunts
Jeff Chase	....	stunt double: russian
James M. Churchman	....	stunt rigger
Dane Farwell	....	stunts
Sean Graham	....	stunt double
Gene Harrison	....	stunts
Gary Hymes	....	stunt coordinator
Keii Johnston	....	stunts
Rick Le Fevour	....	stunts
Paul Leonard	....	utility stunts
Mike Massa	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Tom McComas	....	stunt double: Frank Castle
Tom McComas	....	stunts
Jeff Moldovan	....	stunt double
Phil Ortiz	....	stunt double
Michael Owen	....	stunt double: Thomas Jane
Bill Scharpf	....	stunts
Kimberly M. Turvey	....	stunts (as Kimberly Turvey)
John Zimmerman	....	stunt double
Robert Scott	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Tommy Mack Turvey	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Kurt Beckler	....	grip
Robert Beverlin	....	assistant camera
Josh Bleibtreu	....	director of photography: second unit
Stephen Campbell	....	camera operator: second unit
Stephen Ciffone	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, second unit
Carl Coleman	....	video assist: second unit
Doug Dalisera	....	best boy electric
Eric Felland	....	grip
Sean Fisher	....	grip
Ralph Flores Jr.	....	gaffer: visual effects unit
Jeff George	....	camera production assistant
Shawn Greene	....	rigging gaffer
Marvin Haven	....	grip
M. Todd Henry	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Charles 'Tom' Hinson	....	daily grip
Alex V. Hurley	....	video tape operator: second unit
Gordy Jorian	....	electrician
Jamie Klein	....	rigging key grip: Florida
Michael Klimchak	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Marvin Lee	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Jack Nealy	....	electrician
Louis Normandin	....	rigging electrician
John Oliveri	....	film loader 1st unit
Gene Page	....	still photographer
Ken Palladino	....	rigging electric
George Patsos	....	key grip
Earl Perque	....	grip
Richard Rammee	....	electrician
Agnes Rodriguez	....	camera loader: second unit
Bryce Shields	....	video assist operator
Louis Smith	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Dave Sonnenberg	....	electrician
Jonathan Stoll	....	electrician
Eric Swanek	....	Steadicam assistant
Eric Swanek	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Rick Tiedeman	....	Steadicam operator: second unit
Rick Tiedeman	....	camera operator: "b" camera, second unit
Robert Ulland	....	Steadicam operator
Robert Ulland	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Marc Wostak	....	rigging gaffer
Jon Bowen	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
Rick Climenhaga	....	electrician (uncredited)
Larry Markart	....	computer/video playback (uncredited)

Animation Department
Walter Santucci	....	opening title sequence animator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice casting
Ellen Jacoby	....	extras casting
Robert Mickelson	....	casting assistant
Kimberly Mullen	....	casting: Florida
Mark Mullen	....	casting: Florida

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Tiffany Busche	....	costumer
Wendy M. Craig	....	costume supervisor
James P. Cullen	....	costumer: Mr. Travolta (as Jim Cullen)
Dominick De Rasmo	....	fabric painter: costume crafts
Carol Demarti	....	head dyer and ager
Risa Garcia	....	set costumer
Danny Molaschi	....	set costumer
Joanne Trotta	....	cutter/fitter
Mélanie Turcotte	....	costume breakdown technician

Editorial Department
Ray Boniker	....	first assistant editor
Marisa Clayton	....	post-production coordinator: Modern VideoFilm
Michael Hatzer	....	color timer
Dave Jackson	....	assistant editor
Javier Mayol	....	post-production assistant
Felicia D. Moore	....	apprentice editor
Eric Putz	....	telecine colorist
Bob Wenokur	....	post-production executive

Music Department
Avi Arad	....	executive soundtrack producer
Christine Bergren	....	music legal and clearance
Ludovico Fulci	....	music assistant
Jonathan Hensleigh	....	executive soundtrack producer
Joel C. High	....	music executive
Gale Anne Hurd	....	executive soundtrack producer
Dave Jordan	....	music supervisor
Asen Kanchev	....	music production manager
Warren Luening	....	musician: trumpet soloist
Joey Moi	....	soundtrack producer
Nickelback	....	soundtrack producer
Philip Tallman	....	music editor
Bobby Tamkin	....	musician
Dave Tinsley	....	music editor
Jojo Villanueva	....	music coordinator

Transportation Department
David Neil Enfinger	....	picture car coordinator
Danny Mortenson	....	transportation coordinator
Miguel Sánchez	....	driver: Mr. Travolta (as Miguel A. Sanchez)
Tim Whisenant	....	transportation: John Travolta

Other crew
Pamela Alessandrelli	....	assistant production coordinator
Jillian Amburgey	....	script supervisor
Lillian Awa	....	production assistant
Cassandra Barbour	....	rights and clearances
Travis Bell	....	production assistant
Damian Beurer	....	dailies projectionist
Jason S. Blanchard	....	production assistant
J.P. Bleibtreu	....	production assistant
Robbie Bolick	....	title designer
Brett Botula	....	location manager
Mark Bowie	....	stand-in
Shawn Boyachek	....	assistant location manager
Sondra Dee Boyachek	....	production coordinator
Josef Brandmaier	....	bank manager
Ricou Browning Jr.	....	marine coordinator
Chris Burgoyne	....	make-up effects lab technician
Stephan Burle	....	title designer
Rick Callan	....	location associate
Ted Campbell	....	production coordinator: inserts
Robert Parker Clemente	....	production assistant
Sean Michael Davis	....	water safety
Michelle A. De Mayo	....	post-production accountant
Michelle A. De Mayo	....	second assistant accountant
Saundra Diardichuk	....	production coordinator: second unit
Kerstin Dyroff	....	production coordinator: VIP Medienfonds
Traver Farmer	....	assistant: Ms. Hurd
Julio Ferrario	....	creative director: main titles
Julio Ferrario	....	title designer
Alex Franklin	....	assistant to executive producer
James Gierman	....	location consultant
Ginger Gower	....	location department coordinator
Pamela B. Green	....	producer: main and end titles
Joanne Martin Hinson	....	assistant office coordinator
Deirdre Horgan	....	script supervisor
Keith Jackson	....	location assistant: second unit
Ryan Paul James	....	stand-in: male
Ross Jensen	....	first assistant accountant
Mike Khalil	....	production assistant
Aaron Koontz	....	production assistant (as A.B. Koontz)
Ryan Krayser	....	production assistant
Christian Labarta	....	set production assistant: second unit
Solomon J. LeFlore	....	production financing
Amy Leigh Johnson	....	unit publicist
John Leonetti	....	assistant: Mr. Hensleigh
Nick Loren	....	stand-in: Mr. Travolta
Daniel MacArthur	....	production coordinator: Lions Gate
Daniel F. Malone	....	assistant marine coordinator
Lisa Maniker	....	production assistant
John Marinaro	....	production assistant
Nicholas Masky	....	production assistant
Rob Matheson	....	assistant: Mr. Golov
Fred Moyse	....	key paramedic
Andy Ochiltree	....	assistant: Kevin Feige and Ari Arad
Andrew S. Patterson	....	location assistant
Brandy D. Pollard	....	set production assistant
Kelly Pontillo	....	production secretary
Audra Potz	....	production assistant
Joan Puma	....	script supervisor: second unit
Jennifer Radzikowski	....	assistant location manager: 2nd unit
Timothy Scott Ralston	....	studio projectionist
Chris Ranung	....	craft service second unit
Michelle Reihel	....	assistant: Ms. Hurd
Burke P. Robinson	....	location scout
Pascual Romero	....	promotional consultant
Jef Russell	....	assistant: Mr. Starke
Michael Russell	....	technical advisor (as Major Mike Russell)
Amanda Schreiber	....	production assistant
Rachel Schwartz	....	assistant: Avi Arad
Jorge E. Senisse	....	location assistant
Laura Sevier	....	rights and clearances
Gary J. Sims	....	payroll accountant
Bob 'Smitty' Smith	....	key craft services
Sherrill Smith	....	assistant location manager
Jillian Stein	....	assistant: Mr. Jane
Sheilah Sullivan	....	production accountant
Miguel Sánchez	....	security: Mr. Travolta (as Miguel A. Sanchez)
Jarik Van Sluijs	....	creative director: main titles
Magdey Vigoa	....	production assistant
Sharon Vise	....	production accountant
Andrew Wert	....	set armorer
Tim Whisenant	....	assistant: John Travolta
John Whitley	....	accounting clerk
Mary Adeline Wright	....	set production assistant: second unit
Andreas Zachai	....	location assistant
Andreas Zachai	....	location scout
Tony Armer	....	photo double (uncredited)
Jason Audette	....	utility stand-in (uncredited)
Jonathan Painter	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Emily Rice	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)
Cathy Ziehl	....	studio coordinator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Lions Gate Films (as Lions Gate Entertainment) (presents)
• Marvel Enterprises (in association with)
• Valhalla Motion Pictures
• VIP 2 Medienfonds (as VIP2)
• VIP 3 Medienfonds (as VIP3)
• Artisan Entertainment

Distributors

• Lions Gate Films (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (2004) (non-USA) (all media)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Columbia Pictures (2004) (Philippines) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Film Distributors (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Film (2004) (Germany) (theatrical) (cut version)
• Columbia TriStar Films AB (2004) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (2004) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Italia (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Prooptiki (2004) (Greece) (theatrical)
• Shaw Organisation (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Avsar Film (2004) (Turkey) (all media)
• Columbia TriStar Films de Argentina (2005) (Argentina) (all media)
• Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar (2005) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar (2005) (Brazil) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (2005) (Argentina) (DVD)
• LK-TEL (2005) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Prooptiki Video (2004) (Greece) (DVD)
• RTL Entertainment (2007) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL5)

Special Effects

• Fantasy II Film Effects (visual effects)
• Howard Anderson Company, The (additional visual effects)

Other Companies

• Mi Casa Multimedia  DVD audio mix & mastering 5.1, 6.1
• Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra  music performed by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  remote camera systems
• Ellen Jacoby Casting  casting
• Entertainment Clearances  rights and clearances
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Footage Bank  stock footage provided by
• Forum Music Village  music mixed at
• Forum Music Village  recording studios
• Getty Images  stock footage provided by
• Kaleidoscope Films Group  titles
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  transportation equipment
• Movie Movers  cast trailers
• Movie Movers  production trailers
• Movie Movers  transportation
• Post Modern Sound  ADR recording facility
• SIF309 Film & Music Productions  film score recording
• Sound Satisfaction  foley facilities
• Sud Ovest Records  music production
• Summit Entertainment  sales
• Title House Digital  end titles
• Todd-AO Studios  sound mixed at (as Todd-AO Radford Stage S)
• Viv Kim Negative Cutting Service  negative cutting (as Viv Kim Negative Cutting)
• Wilshire Stages, The  adr recording
• Wind-Up Records  soundtrack published by

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive brutal violence, language and brief nudity

Runtime:

124 min | 140 min (extended cut)

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Brazil:16 | Malaysia:18SG | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 | Iceland:16 | USA:Unrated (extended version) | South Korea:18 | Hungary:16 | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Italy:T | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Canada:18A | Chile:14 | Finland:K-18 | France:-16 | Germany:18 (JK/SPIO) (uncut version) | Germany:18 (cut) | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Mexico:C | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:M18 (original rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (edited for re-rating) | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Company:

Lions Gate Films

Trivia:

The house used as Howard Saint's mansion belonged to ex NBA player Matt Geiger at the time of filming.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Quentin shows Castle's classified dossier to Howard Saint it shows Castle's date of birth as 1972 but later when we see the gravestone it shows his date of birth as 1968.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Bobby Saint:So I'm gonna get a three-to-one return on my money?
Micky Duka:Otto is the real deal. I met him at a hash bar in Amsterdam. He speaks Russian, German, Arabic...

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: Episode #33.3" (2005)

Soundtrack:

Fourth Floor Ladies Shoes

Brilliant Revenge Film! Quality Acting, Deep Emotion and Dark Violence

Make no mistakes about it, The Punisher is a great action flick that's the proper mixture of quality acting, deep emotion and dark violence. The Punisher ended up being a much better movie than I was anticipating. I think it will please comic fans and action fans alike. I also think it will be accessible to mainstream audiences. Definitely check it out on the big screen.

The brilliance of this movie comes from the uneasy nature in which you spend your two hours riveted to the story. Yes, I did say brilliance. At first, you get that uneasy feeling as you watch the director set up a story which is pretty much common knowledge. You know that Frank's wife and son are going to get it. So, the exposition that sets up his love for his family and the tender moments they share are uneasy, sorrowful and touching. After the Punisher revs up into full `Punishing' mode, you're uneasy at the way in which he is dispatching villain after villain. I was squirming in my chair and I wasn't the only one in the theatre doing so. Sure it's violent but it borders on sadistic violence. What's makes you the most uneasy is the fact that you are actually enjoying the carnage. These guys are so vile and are so deserving of their `Punishment' but you still have guilt to go along with the pleasure of seeing Frank really cut loose. If you've seen The Punisher trailer then you see an image of him firing an arrow. You have NO idea where that arrow ends up but boy, that must have hurt. The one thing you don't have to worry about with this film is if the villain will get his. I hate movies that go so far to develop a villain as truly evil by having him do despicable things after despicable things but have his demise be quick at movies end. Well, you will feel sorry for Travolta's character at the end of this film and he does some very horrible things himself during the duration of this movie. Overall, this film is an emotional journey that will make you squirm. I experienced all of the following emotions while watching this movie: revulsion, sadness, satisfaction, compassion, anger, laughter, envy, thrills and thanks to multiple product placement, I really had to have a shot of Wild Turkey when I went home!