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!
