Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3198 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-06-22
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Synopsis
PUNISHER - WAR ZONE is the third screen appearance from Marvel Comics' angel of death, and continues the saga of Frank Castle, a normal New York City citizen turned Mafia-slaying vigilante following the murder of his family. Six years after the tragedy, Frank is still waging war against organized crime in New York. After he ambushes a party for an aging mob boss and turns it into a bloodbath, the battle moves to a recycling warehouse where Castle pushes gangster Billy Russoti (Dominic West) into a swirling vat of broken glass. During his escape, Castle accidentally shoots one of the FBI men who have arrived on the scene. Russoti undergoes plastic surgery, but after seeing his badly disfigured face for the first time, he shoots his surgeon and dubs himself "Jigsaw." While a deeply regretful Castle attempts to make amends with the widow (Julie Benz) of the agent he has slain, Jigsaw rallies an army of criminals in an attempt to take down the seemingly indestructible Punisher.

Customer Reviews

Ray Stevenson IS the Punisher
I never watched the original Punisher film starring Dolph Lundgren, though that was apparently less about the Punisher than a vigilante film.

I am a big fan of Thomas Jane's Punisher. Although it wasn't true to the comic book origins (Castle's family is killed by mobsters after they witness an execution in Central Park), it gave an air of humanity and allowed us to side with the Punisher in his quest for justice.

Stevenson's Punisher is far more darker, grittier and truer-to-life than Jane's. You could see it as the Punisher years after he has taken on the mantle, becoming less human and more killing machine. It stays true to the comics and fits in with Garth Enis' Punisher MAX series (which I'd recommend to all fans of this film).

As others have said, the villains aren't really 'villainous' - rather like the Saints in the first film, there's no reason to fear them.

But the film itself has many characters from the MAX series, giving it almost a comic book feel as you instantaneously recognise all the characters.

The Punisher MAX comics were awesome and this film is as brilliant as any of them. I hope Stevenson comes back for another round.

Hard, fast and dark
This is one of the toughest and darkest comic adaptations I've seen in quite a while. It has more in common with films like "Shoot 'em up" and "Hitman" than "Batman" or other superhero ilk. The Punisher is a vigilanty methodically killing off every mafia gang member in the city after they murdered his wife and child. It's a big dumb action film and yet it has a unique odd quality to it. Whether that is because most of the cast are British putting on American accents or because the kills are unusually violent I'm not sure but the end effect of seeing lots of badies so ruthlessly slaughtered is supremely satisfying.

A Total Thrill Ride
Great fun! The action never lets up for a minute and the multiple deaths are very creative. Disengage your brain and just enjoy the thrill ride.

Ray Stevenson is outstanding, just the right mix of menace and compassion. My only quibble is that Julie Benz's role was so limited.

Would make a fantastic shooter for the Wii!