The chief virtue of this otherwise flaccid and frankly lame film are two pretty great fight scenes that involve Castle mutilating two of the myriad assassins sent to annihilate him. Obviously, said hit men aren't avid Marvel readers.
Okay, okay, I know I shouldn't be so scornful, I just feel a bit hard-done by. I've been an avid reader of this psycho vigilante for a while, and quite frankly this film doesn't come close to capturing the central darkness. The rebuke to my disappointment will be that I can't expect to have a character worked on by so many writers to be placed cogently on the screen in all his disturbed glory. But I think I can. Otherwise why bother to make another film about revenge?
A number of problems surface early. A (relatively) low budget, relocation to Tampa (thus losing the engrossing urban alienation/Gothic themes), some hoary contrivances (Castle's Dad having an arsenal at hand), Castle's background being very sketchy, off the shelf dialogue, leaden editing and a lack of brutality. Regardless of the much-touted opening massacre and R/18 rating, the film's tame and not particularly graphic. No comic-book nastiness here.
Worse, the actors have nothing to work with, and the cast IS pretty decent. It is to the credit of Jane and Travolta that they lend their characters an intensity and confusion not mirrored in the script. Will Patton, as henchman Quentin Glass, makes the greatest impression with a more layered persona. This version also lacks the fetishtic element of the Dolph Lundgren version, though it manages to bypass the camp, and it goes without saying the inherently evil, narcissistic and psychotic nature of The Punisher's actions goes unexplored.
But if you're looking for a beer and pizza movie, then this is an okay night out, that almost gets the seductive edge of a tawdry B-movie working for it. Despite dull patches the fights do have a faintly sadistic edge, Conrad W. Hall's cinematography is colourful and understands the need for a comic-book pallet, and there is humour to be found in the albeit condescending presentation of The Punisher's loser neighbors. Plus, the filmmakers leave enough questions hanging to provide material for a sequel, which isn't an unwelcome prospect.
Hell, I'll admit it, I enjoyed it. And there's that bit with piercings ow
Okay, okay, I know I shouldn't be so scornful, I just feel a bit hard-done by. I've been an avid reader of this psycho vigilante for a while, and quite frankly this film doesn't come close to capturing the central darkness. The rebuke to my disappointment will be that I can't expect to have a character worked on by so many writers to be placed cogently on the screen in all his disturbed glory. But I think I can. Otherwise why bother to make another film about revenge?
A number of problems surface early. A (relatively) low budget, relocation to Tampa (thus losing the engrossing urban alienation/Gothic themes), some hoary contrivances (Castle's Dad having an arsenal at hand), Castle's background being very sketchy, off the shelf dialogue, leaden editing and a lack of brutality. Regardless of the much-touted opening massacre and R/18 rating, the film's tame and not particularly graphic. No comic-book nastiness here.
Worse, the actors have nothing to work with, and the cast IS pretty decent. It is to the credit of Jane and Travolta that they lend their characters an intensity and confusion not mirrored in the script. Will Patton, as henchman Quentin Glass, makes the greatest impression with a more layered persona. This version also lacks the fetishtic element of the Dolph Lundgren version, though it manages to bypass the camp, and it goes without saying the inherently evil, narcissistic and psychotic nature of The Punisher's actions goes unexplored.
But if you're looking for a beer and pizza movie, then this is an okay night out, that almost gets the seductive edge of a tawdry B-movie working for it. Despite dull patches the fights do have a faintly sadistic edge, Conrad W. Hall's cinematography is colourful and understands the need for a comic-book pallet, and there is humour to be found in the albeit condescending presentation of The Punisher's loser neighbors. Plus, the filmmakers leave enough questions hanging to provide material for a sequel, which isn't an unwelcome prospect.
Hell, I'll admit it, I enjoyed it. And there's that bit with piercings ow