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Punisher: War Zone

  • 20082008
  • RR
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
63K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,388
1,670
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
This is the first theatrical trailer for Punisher: War Zone, directed by Lexi Alexander.
Play trailer1:08
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Crime
  • Drama
Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, ruthlessly demolishes organized crime, but it starts an even bigger war.Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, ruthlessly demolishes organized crime, but it starts an even bigger war.Frank Castle, known as the Punisher, ruthlessly demolishes organized crime, but it starts an even bigger war.
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
63K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,388
1,670
  • Director
    • Lexi Alexander
  • Writers
    • Nick Santora
    • Art Marcum
    • Matt Holloway
  • Stars
    • Ray Stevenson
    • Dominic West
    • Julie Benz
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lexi Alexander
  • Writers
    • Nick Santora
    • Art Marcum
    • Matt Holloway
  • Stars
    • Ray Stevenson
    • Dominic West
    • Julie Benz
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 350User reviews
    • 160Critic reviews
    • 30Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Punisher: War Zone -- Theatrical Trailer #1
    Trailer 1:08
    Punisher: War Zone -- Theatrical Trailer #1

    Photos148

    Doug Hutchison and Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Dash Mihok, Colin Salmon, and Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Julie Benz and Stephanie Janusauskas in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Doug Hutchison and Dominic West in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Mark Camacho, Keram Malicki-Sánchez, Romano Orzari, and Dominic West in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Wayne Knight in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Doug Hutchison and Dominic West in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Doug Hutchison in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Ray Stevenson in Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    Cas Anvar, Mark Camacho, Keram Malicki-Sánchez, and Dominic West in Punisher: War Zone (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ray Stevenson
    Ray Stevenson
    • Frank Castleas Frank Castle
    Dominic West
    Dominic West
    • Billyas Billy…
    Julie Benz
    Julie Benz
    • Angelaas Angela
    Doug Hutchison
    Doug Hutchison
    • Loony Bin Jimas Loony Bin Jim
    Colin Salmon
    Colin Salmon
    • Paul Budianskyas Paul Budiansky
    Wayne Knight
    Wayne Knight
    • Microas Micro
    Dash Mihok
    Dash Mihok
    • Martin Soapas Martin Soap
    Stephanie Janusauskas
    Stephanie Janusauskas
    • Graceas Grace
    Mark Camacho
    Mark Camacho
    • Pittsyas Pittsy
    Romano Orzari
    Romano Orzari
    • Nickyas Nicky
    Keram Malicki-Sánchez
    Keram Malicki-Sánchez
    • Inkas Ink
    Larry Day
    Larry Day
    • Agent Milleras Agent Miller
    Ron Lea
    Ron Lea
    • Captain Rossas Captain Ross
    Tony Calabretta
    Tony Calabretta
    • Saffiottias Saffiotti
    T.J. Storm
    T.J. Storm
    • Magintyas Maginty
    Carlos Gonzalez-Vio
    Carlos Gonzalez-Vio
    • Carlosas Carlos
    David Vadim
    David Vadim
    • Cristu Bulatas Cristu Bulat
    John Dunn-Hill
    John Dunn-Hill
    • Cesareas Cesare
    • (as John Dunn Hill)
    • Director
      • Lexi Alexander
    • Writers
      • Nick Santora
      • Art Marcum
      • Matt Holloway
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      "Sons of Anarchy (2008)" creator Kurt Sutter wrote an R-rated draft that, according to him, took "the Punisher character out of the comic books" and put him into a real-world drama set in the streets of New York. At the very last minute, however, the studio decided to revert to Nick Santora's comic-book-style script with the intention of creating a sequel from that. Disgusted with the actions by the studio, Sutter refused a story credit and demanded that his name be omitted from the final credits.
    • Goofs
      (at around 41 mins) When they show the moon rise, it goes up and to the left. In the Northern Hemisphere, the moon rises up and to the right. They took footage of a moon set and played it in reverse.
    • Quotes

      Priest: God be with you, Frank.

      Frank Castle: Sometimes I would like to get my hands on God.

    • Alternate versions
      German retail video version was cut by approx. 1 minute to secure a "Not under 18" rating. The uncut version was released with a SPIO/JK approval but can be sold only with restrictions.
    • Connections
      Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Makeup Effects in Comic Book Movies (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Get Away
      Written by Rick Riso and Mark Gasbarro

      Performed by Rick Riso

      Courtesy of 5 Alarm Music

    User reviews350

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Trigger-happy fun. Not for the squeamish!
    Okay, first off, let me put it straight... It's better than the first two films. There. I've said it. Why? Because this movie is the comic fan's wet dream come true. There's bullets, buckets of blood and guts, bodies flying, and explosions to boot, and did I mention blood and guts? Anyway, the movie is NOT meant for critics. Who in their right mind would walk into a Punisher movie and expect something like Citizen Kane? Of course, you put into account that The Dark Knight and Iron Man were released the same year, so people were expecting some intelligence from this film. No. This is a movie about a one-man strike force, and this will appeal to guys who like Rambo. The hint's in the title, critics: WAR ZONE.

    Ray Stevenson replaces Thomas Jane as the titular character. Here instead of Jane's sort of old-school action hero persona, we get a loyal interpretation of Frank Castle. It's wrong to compare the two Punishers, as they are completely different movies. The 2004 movie was more of a traditional revenge film, and this new one is a faithful, and bloodied, adaptation of the comics. (I am ignoring Dolph Lundgren's version as I haven't seen it yet) Technically speaking, the direction is fast-paced and energetic. The action sequences are nicely done without the usual chop-socky quick editing. The New York cinematography gives the film its distinct dark look that the comics had, and, of course, there is much blood to savor here. The violence, is, spectacularly brutal and sadistic, and that's all we want to see.

    However the film has its weaknesses. Most of these come from wooden acting, to over-acting, weak dialogue, and hammy moments involving a child. Dominic West, who plays the horribly disfigured main villain Billy "The Beaut"/"Jigsaw" Russoti out for revenge, and Doug Hutchison who plays his brother James "Looney Bin Jim" Russoti (love that name), hams it up every time they are on screen. Dash Mihok plays a dim-witted detective that looks out of place in a film this dark. Julie Benz is wooden as the wife of the undercover FBI agent which Castle accidentally kills during his outing.

    Watch the film with the intent of seeing a full-blown, graphically violent, no-holds-barred action movie, with a beloved character not just kicking ass, but shooting the living crap out of them. This is destined to be a cult classic, and sadistic entertainment at its finest.

    Entertainment value: 10/10

    Overall: 6.5/10
    helpful•6
    4
    • dvc5159
    • Feb 24, 2009

    FAQ8

    • Is 'Punisher: War Zone' based on a book?
    • Is "Punisher: War Zone" a sequel to "The Punisher"?
    • Is "PWZ" true to the comics?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 5, 2008 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
      • Germany
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Punisher 2
    • Filming locations
      • Station de métro Lionel-Groulx, Montréal, Québec, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Lionsgate
      • Marvel Knights
      • Marvel Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $35,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,050,977
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,271,451
      • Dec 7, 2008
    • Gross worldwide
      • $10,161,493
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

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