not for kids
Violent vigilante comic book story is gory, grim stuff.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this over-the-top action movie is unrepentantly violent, with a body count in the dozens and constant extreme, grisly depictions of hand-to-hand combat, gunshot wounds, explosions, industrial accidents, and much more. The movie's tone is also very moody and bleak -- it may be based on a popular Marvel comic book character, but it's not kids' stuff. It's more akin to the adventures of Dirty Harry than those of Spider-Man. Not only does the film tacitly endorse the vigilante "hero" and his violent methods, but so do law enforcement characters -- who either turn a blind eye to his activities or actively help him. Characters also use extremely strong language, drink, and use drugs (some are shown snorting cocaine).
- Families can talk about the appeal of extreme violence on screen. What draws viewers to this kind of movie? What are the effects of watching so much grisly violence, even if it's intended to be deliberately over-the-top and cartoonish? Families can also discuss the film's endorsement of "going outside the law" to punish criminals who've evaded the consequences of their actions. Do the ends ever justify the means? What other recourse do people have when the system doesn't work?
What to watch for
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Violence: The movie's body count is in the dozens, with constant, extreme, and bloody/gory violence -- including shootings, fights, bare-handed neck-breakings, decapitations, several point-blank shotgun blasts (viewers see the victim's face obliterated), stabbings, death by explosion, and more. A man stabs another man through the neck with the stem of a broken wineglass. A man is killed by having a chair leg thrust through his face. A man is seen devouring another man's kidneys after murdering him. A man is hurled into an industrial glass crusher; viewers see his face, stripped bare of skin and pouring blood (later his face is a grotesque patchwork of scars, grafts, and transplants). Several extremely detailed special-effects deaths -- like when the "hero" punches someone so hard that he penetrates their skull. A man is hurled onto the sharp metal posts of a wrought-iron fence.
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Sex: A brief refrence to "screwing hookers."
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Language: Constant strong language, including "f--k," "motherf--ker," "s--t," "ass," "a--hole," "crap," "c--ksucker," and more. Some Italian vulgarities.
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Consumerism: Some brands -- Range Rover, Krispy Kreme, Beretta -- are mentioned by name.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters smoke, drink hard liquor, and are seen snorting cocaine. References are made to crystal meth and anti-psychotic drugs.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
The Punisher , Take 3 by wwbird
Third time's the charm, at least it seems to be for Marvel Comic's The Punisher. Yes he spends the entire movie either; a) shooting bad guys, b) brooding, c) shooting bad guys or d) having flashbacks about the death of his family and that leads to more brooding. Yes, the violence is excessive. But that's what the punisher is, it's what he does. If you're looking for the visceral experience of lurking in someone else's first person shooter, this is the movie for you.
I don't say it's a great movie but they did succeed in presenting a version of the Punisher that is true to his comic origins and pulls it off on the screen.
5
This Is The Movie For Male Viewers Who Play M Rated videogames by aja3787
Ok, I have read so many reviews trashing this film. It's unapologetically violent. Grim. Very little story line. Etc, etc, etc...Did Dirty Harry movies get terrible reviews? I dunno, but I know I loved 'em. Did Charles Bronson's "Death Wish" movies get great reviews? I dunno, but I loved 'em. Were "Sin City" or "Kill Bill" over the top and gross? Maybe, in parts....but I LOVED THEM! Sometimes, men just want to see things get blown up, bullets flying, high tech weaponry lighting up the night sky, and baddies getting what baddies deserve so richly for about 2 hours. It's a guilty pleasure, but the film seems to hold to the grim, humorless violent vision of the comic. It's not for everyone. I wouldn't suggest it as a blind date (or first date, or maybe any date) movie. But if you wnat to see what the high tech weapons on the "Military Channel" can do when fired into a room packed with heavily armed thugs, see this movie! If you play M rated video games, see this movie! GUYS, GO SEE THIS!
3
3rd time wasn't much of a charm. by alacran79
I was a hardcore Punisher fan waaay back in the early 90's, so I have a soft spot for the character. Out of the 3 flims, this one is easily the closest to the way Frank Castle should be portrayed. Thomas Jane missed the mark in the last Punisher film, while Ray Stevenson pretty much nails it. Watching Stevenson play a non neutered Frank was basically the only reason I stuck around for the entire film cuz there were a ton of spots that were hard to sit through. We had throwaway characters with horribly cheesy/stereotypical accents, unnatural dialog, forced acting, odd uses of slow motion...I could go on, but don't wanna ruin it for ya.
If you're someone who's just looking for a movie with action/gore with inventive kills and action scenes, you might like this. If you're a fan of the Punisher comics, you might think Marvel is close to getting a Punisher movie right, but just not there yet.
4
Marvel Magic by stan.tech
I recommend this movie to any real Comic book fan. You will not be disappointed.
5
Ignore the negative reviews, its a good solid action movie worth seeing in the theaters by polderj1711
After seeing all the negative reviews on the movie before it was even released I actually made a fandango account to give an actually review of it.
I went into the movie expecting a cheesy B rated violent blood fest especially after the second trailer was released and I left the theater feeling as though I had seen a pretty darn good action movie.
Ray Stevenson did an excellent job as Frank Castle, Dominic West?s role as villain Jigsaw was truly terrifying. Not to mention the supporting cast did very well, much better acting than the previous 2004 punisher with Tom Jane which I am still a fan of.
If you have seen the trailer or are a Punisher fan and have thought about seeing the film, ignore the people posting negative reviews without seeing the film and go out and enjoy a solid action movie with great actors and an good story.
It is definitely worth the cash and not a, ?I?ll wait for it to come out on video? kind of film.
5
Great Movie by dallascowboys249
This movie was well made. The plot could have been better, but the violence mad up for it. Loved it! In fact this movie was one of the best action movies that I have ever seen. It was money well spend watching this movie. Great Acting also. The Punisher could not have been played better. The first 10 minutes had a "massacre" in it and I loved it! YOU HAVE TO SEE IT! VERY AND MOST RECOMMENDED! infact after I saw this movie I went to the comic book store and bought like 5 Punisher comic books and bout the original movie made in 2004. I LOVE IT NOW! HA HA! GO PUNISHER!
5
Hey not a sequel to the 2004 people by mlwraven
This was a great movie if you are really into the punisher then you will expect the violence and gore. This movie stayed more to the true Punisher from the comic books not like the first one. People go to these movies and put them down cause of the violence and gore what do they are what are they expecting when they go . Come on people its the Punisher people and critics what are you expecting other than violence this movie was entertaining action packed gave people who wanted to see the Punisher everything they wanted. To the critics out there that gave there opinions on this movie, I go to see all kinds of movies and most of the times I see you put them down for this and that and I still enjoy them so really I have to wonder how you got your jobs cause really your opinions suck mostly every now and then you get one right but mostly would never pay any attention to what those critics say. I truly do not understand what they expect out of some of the movies they put down.
3
Very dissapointing to true punisher fans by obi-homie
I was very dissapointed in this new punisher movie. Punisher has always been one of my favorite marvel characters.The Tom Jane and John Travolta movie was much better and true to the character. Although Ray Stevenson has the look of the dark horse comic punisher, hes not as good an actor as Tom Jane. The villians in the new movie were absolutley TERRIBLE!! Jigsaw and the brother, I couldnt believe it, I almost thought it was a joke, they really sucked. If your a Punisher fan, wait and rent the dvd. If your not, I would say no, dont go see it.
4
Lacking in plot, but that's not what you came for. You wanted violence? You're getting it! by PolarBer1
Punisher: War Zone is not for the squeamish. Not even a little bit. There are so many insanely graphic (and creative) kills that I was kind of surprised this maintained an R rating. The opening scene of the film has 3 times the action of the entire 2004 film, and if you don't go "holy ----!" by the end of that, you suffer from an adrenaline deficiency.
The sets are reminiscent of Tim Burton's Batman and **** Tracy. Just enough neon to give NY some color. The action is methodical, with few shaky-cuts.
If you're a fan of Garth Ennis' MAX series of Punisher comics, you'll see a lot of familiar faces (MacGinty, the Bulats/slavers, Pittsy & Ink) and a few familiar kills. But you'll see more blood than anything else, and it's strangely satisfying. Like taking the Ennis run and the 2005 video game and mashing them together into a movie. It's not smart, but it makes sure not to take itself too seriously. The bad guys get what's coming to them, and you get a thrill ride in the process
5
Hell yes! by nwogiant33
Now this is the way a Punisher movie should be. I actually liked the last Punisher movie with Thomas Jane, but this one puts that to shame. If you are a fan of senseless violence in movies from time to time, like myself, you'll have a good time watching this.