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Punisher, The
(2004)
Starring:
Thomas Jane, John Travolta
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Rating: R
Studio:
Lions Gate Films
Release Date:
04.16.04
Review
Posted: 04.16.04
By
Rachel Sexton
Comic Book Equals
Decent Action Film
"Revenge is an emotional
response," Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, says in a voiceover. "This
is punishment." Revenge is a theme that films have always likened.
Lately, the use of it as a plot device or as a motivation for lead
characters seems to have hit a small peak. Kill Bill, the
second volume of which is also debuting this weekend, is just one such
film that comes to mind. Comic book adaptations have also increased in
recent years. The Punisher combines the theme of revenge and a
comic book source into an above average action film.
The Punisher is the name
taken by FBI undercover ops agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane). On his
last job before retiring, Castle's team kills Bobby Saint, the son of
bad guy Howard Saint (John Travolta). Talk about an inaccurate last
name! In retaliation, Saint kills all of Castle's family during a
family reunion in Puerto Rico. Castle sees his wife and child die,
then is brutally left for dead himself. After recovering, he
single-mindedly doles out punishment.
Though it isn't perfect,
the film is one of the most realistic-feeling comic book adaptations
Hollywood has made recently. Castle has no special powers, just
determination and lots of weapons. His motivation is more than
understandable, and it's effectively presented. I think the
establishment of Castle's connection to his family is sufficient
enough to believe he'll do what he needs to get revenge. There is even
a scene, when all the bad guys are dead, where Castle takes a gun and
almost commits suicide. This mimics a scene in Lethal Weapon
with Mel Gibson's Riggs feeling as sad and helpless as Castle. The Mel
connection is even further strengthened when one remembers that the
plot of this film is almost identical to that of Mel's first big film
Mad Max.
There were also some
other things I enjoyed about the script. Some of the dialogue is
particularly good and there is some really effective humor also,
mostly due to the characters of Frank's neighbors, Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos (X-Men), Ben Foster, and John Pinette. Foster in
particular
is hilarious. Overall, none of the performers feel out of place here.
Thomas Jane is especially well-cast as Castle. He is convincingly
tough, tortured, and commands the screen. John Travolta seems to have
found a small niche for villains it seems. I was also psyched to see
Samantha Mathis as Castle's wife and Roy Scheider as his father.
Also, the era of the Old
West is evoked in some dialogue about the Booey knife and in the
staging of the final showdown between Castle and Saint. I do wonder,
however, why Frank doesn't have more of an interaction with his old
co-workers after returning. There is only one scene of this to imply
that the law can't help to stop Saint. The action sequences are well
done. The ending also sets up for a sequel, of course.
Jonathan Hensleigh makes
his debut as a director here, and he is also co-writer of the script.
His direction is better than that of a lot of the new directors. For
example, he neatly transitions the end of the title sequence into the
first shot of the film. In another scene, the use of smart camera pays
off very nicely during a car chase.
The above average action
film The Punisher takes its comic book source material with its
revenge theme and completes it with memorable lead Thomas Jane.
Superior to last year's Daredevil and with a grittier tone than
many other comic book adaptations, this film deserves to be
successful. See it or be punished. Just kidding!
Film Rating:
κκκκ (out of
5) Film Grade:
B
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