Netflix just never stops surprising me. The Punisher is an outstanding action series that only gets better with every episode. Having read no comics but seen only the Thomas Jane version movies (The Punisher, 2004 and Punisher: Dirty Laundry, 2012), I was already a fan of the character before starting this series recently. Having finished it last night, I can assure you I'm a bigger Punisher fan now and I can truly understand why fans still want a third season.
Season 1 is gritty, action-packed and dramatic with a lot of memorable characters. The best thing about this show is how it also adds the character drama without sacrificing a bit of the action we expect from anything that features The Punisher. However, while every episode delivered at least one memorable action sequence, it can't be denied that this season was at times pretty slow. It somehow didn't really have that sense of urgency to move on to the next episode very quickly, but this improved with the latter episodes.
Season 2 is where The Punisher triumphed in my opinion. While Season 1 was more about Frank Castle fighting bad guys, this season is more about him as The Punisher taking on bad guys. The slow pacing issue is fixed here, the action is more intense and there's a sense of urgency to move on to the next episode. I was planning to complete this season by today, but I found myself so gripped that I finished it yesterday itself. And that ending... Whoa!
Jon Bernthal truly gives in his best as The Punisher. Whether he's fighting, crying, smiling or simply grunting: I could feel all of that. I was similarly impressed with Amber Rose Revah, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore who played their parts with sincerity. Same for the rest of the cast. Josh Stewart came across as menacing and at the same time, a character you could feel for.
The action sequences are truly pure gold, done in a movie-style without an excessive shakycam effect, making it easier to watch and enjoy the action. There are some really gorgeous visuals too, and at times, the show feels like the live version of a comic book. The dark tone is just another plus point. If you ask me, I'd personally prefer season 2 over the first, because while I loved both of them, the second one was just so racy that I didn't have to think about anything else. I wish this was also available on DVD/Blu-ray as the quality is really something to remember and the action sequences, worth watching again.
Season 1 is gritty, action-packed and dramatic with a lot of memorable characters. The best thing about this show is how it also adds the character drama without sacrificing a bit of the action we expect from anything that features The Punisher. However, while every episode delivered at least one memorable action sequence, it can't be denied that this season was at times pretty slow. It somehow didn't really have that sense of urgency to move on to the next episode very quickly, but this improved with the latter episodes.
Season 2 is where The Punisher triumphed in my opinion. While Season 1 was more about Frank Castle fighting bad guys, this season is more about him as The Punisher taking on bad guys. The slow pacing issue is fixed here, the action is more intense and there's a sense of urgency to move on to the next episode. I was planning to complete this season by today, but I found myself so gripped that I finished it yesterday itself. And that ending... Whoa!
Jon Bernthal truly gives in his best as The Punisher. Whether he's fighting, crying, smiling or simply grunting: I could feel all of that. I was similarly impressed with Amber Rose Revah, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore who played their parts with sincerity. Same for the rest of the cast. Josh Stewart came across as menacing and at the same time, a character you could feel for.
The action sequences are truly pure gold, done in a movie-style without an excessive shakycam effect, making it easier to watch and enjoy the action. There are some really gorgeous visuals too, and at times, the show feels like the live version of a comic book. The dark tone is just another plus point. If you ask me, I'd personally prefer season 2 over the first, because while I loved both of them, the second one was just so racy that I didn't have to think about anything else. I wish this was also available on DVD/Blu-ray as the quality is really something to remember and the action sequences, worth watching again.