The Punisher [Blu-ray] [2009] [Region Free]

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klass

not a bad reimagining

I knew this Marvel character from the original comic books drawn by John Romita Sr. so I rather knew what to expect from those; It`s basically a vigilante action movie with much emphasis on guns - more of a fantasy for we Europeans than those in America who can buy such weaponry alongside the six-pack of Buds and candy bars.It's a violent, at times sadistic movie that captures the darkness of the character's mindset and motivation, but it makes for a rather dour film, despite the bright sunny settings of Florida; the film doesn`t deserve the largely negative reviews it gained on release – it is no worse than a lot of the action movie genre and has a lot of impressive set pieces; as some have noted, it echoes action films of the 70s – if one discounts the Marvel heading it works fine as a brooding vengeance tale.I understand that an extended cut of the film is available; this review is for the UK DVD release of the theatrical version; extras are a commentary, two featurettes and deleted scenes – over an hour of running time in total; English subtitles are available for the film and the extras.

The Punisher: Extended Cut is director Jonathan (Kill The Irishman) Hensleigh's redux of a film he admits was never completed due to time and budget restrictions telling an origin story of one of Marvel's greatest ever icons. Go to IMDb.com for a full synopsis of The Punisher (2004) but this version is re-edited to include major plot-points left out by Lionsgate in order to appeal to younger audiences at the cinema.The film instead begins with the introduction of John Travolta as Howard Saint, opening up his new nightclub and how his youngest son set up the meeting with the Dutch arms dealer (undercover agent Frank Castle). From then on the film continues as normal but with entire scenes adding plots such as how Howard Saint bought out Jimmy Weeks (Frank's FBI partner), Frank trying to find out the truth of who sold him out and the shocking conclusion before the film's final battle.I recommend this version over the original. Not only does it make better sense, it comes off as more mature, intelligent, stylish and overall faithful to the character with its revised overtones of film noir and western feel. What started out as a short action feature is transformed into a modern comic book Sergio Leone classic!

I love this movie, which I first had on DVD, but wanted to get it on Blu Ray to experience the full quality of the film.The item arrived on time and undamaged and I'm please with my purchase

Item as described and fast delivery

Frank Castle is a man who has seen too much death. On his final assignment, Castle plays his undercover role perfectly, but the operation spins out of control and a young man, Bobby Saint, is inadvertently killed.Inflamed by the death of their son, the Saints are willing to risk their newfound legitimacy on a wholesale mission of blood-vengeance.Castle's worst nightmare is about to come true, as Howard Saint and his lieutenants unleash hell at the Castle family reunion.But Castle, to his everlasting torment, survives. Until this moment, he has spent his entire life adhering strictly to the law. However, experience has taught him that the law cannot adequately penalise the people who murdered his family.Drawing upon all he has learnt in twenty years, Castle sets in motion a plan to punish the murderers....Although in many ways it's better than the Lundgren version, this version does tend to drag a little. And when it drags is the most important part of the movie, the first act.I really don't feel that we need half an hour of bonding and pouting before the execution of his family. We know they are going to die, so why not reduce it to around fifteen minutes before we get to see the titular hero? Other than that, it's one hell of a ride. Jane is fantastic as the lead, and Travolta is doing his Face/Off schtick right down to a tee.A lot of the support gets way laid a little, and the comic relief feels a little too forced, but otherwise it's probably the most faithful version of the Punisher yet, and a lot more satisfying than War Zone.It's just a shame about the saggy beginning.