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The Punisher

R Released Apr 16, 2004 2h 4m Action List
29% Tomatometer 173 Reviews 63% Audience Score 250,000+ Ratings
This dark action film, based on the comic book series, follows FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) as he transforms into the vengeful Punisher after criminals murder his family, including his wife and son. Castle is gravely injured in the attack and believed to be dead by Howard Saint (John Travolta), the crime lord who ordered the hit. Following his recovery, Castle becomes a heavily armed vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on Saint and dismantle his underworld empire. Read More Read Less
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Critics Consensus

A good cast fails to elevate this overly violent and by-the-numbers revenge flick.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Bad big screen adaptation of comic book. Rated: 2/5 Dec 28, 2010 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader There's something to be said for letting a comic book adaptation operate at the level of a comic book, dispensing cheap laughs and ice-cold sadism. Apr 25, 2007 Full Review Time Out Ultimately, Frank's victim -to-vigilante transformation is so morally unexplored it's emotionally alienating. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The Punisher’s anti-hero status is ignored altogether in this unchallenging movie; he’s reduced to being a homemade Good Guy without special powers, just a munitions store and a souped-up car. Rated: 2/4 Mar 7, 2024 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) For anyone ignorant of its pulpy pedigree... The Punisher presents itself as little more than a rather cheap and nasty actioner lifted wholesale from the they-killed-his-wife-and-child-and-now-they're-gonna-pay files. Rated: 1.5/5 Nov 17, 2020 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins For a movie about brutal eye-for-an-eye reprisal, there really isn't much savagery (or ferocity) taking place during the majority of the film. Rated: 3/10 Nov 9, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Rob E Honestly a bit underrated, the score is way lower than I expected. I loved this movie, I loved the acting and of course, the brutal ass kills. It's all amazing! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Vitoria F Ótimo filme. Cheio de cenas fortes. O elenco trabalhou muito bem e o filme foi muito bem feito. Tem uma seriedade que os filmes inspirados em personagens da Marvel não têm mais. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Leng W Simple and camp a 90s film in 2004 There's just something easy and compelling You expect a throwaway but in the end it's a polished gem dirty but gem all the same. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/15/24 Full Review matthias s As a die-hard Marvel fan, I went into "The Punisher" with Thomas Jane hoping for a gritty, action-packed ride. Instead, what I got was a mixed bag of lackluster storytelling and unintentional humor. Jane's portrayal of Frank Castle has its moments, but it often feels like he's more brooding than menacing. The plot is as thin as a comic book page, with predictable villains and a revenge arc that lacks the emotional punch it needed. While the action sequences are occasionally entertaining, they're often overshadowed by clunky dialogue and cheesy one-liners. John Travolta's villainous Howard Saint is more cartoonish than threatening, making it hard to take him seriously. The film tries to stay true to the dark tone of the comics, but it ends up feeling more like a parody. As a Marvel fan, it's a disappointing adaptation that misses the mark. Two stars for effort, but it’s no Jon Bernthal. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/27/24 Full Review Lanfranco C Conventional "punishment" movie Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/27/24 Full Review Stuart K Never understood the negative reviews in this film. Sure it’s a bit “by the numbers”, sure there are some well worn stereotypes, but the slow burn Thomas Jane brings to the avenger/revenger elevates it above standard fare. The planned subtle revenge on Glass and Saints wife brought to mind Mel Gibson character in Payback. Not great art, but amongst the films I occasionally watch again. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis This dark action film, based on the comic book series, follows FBI agent Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) as he transforms into the vengeful Punisher after criminals murder his family, including his wife and son. Castle is gravely injured in the attack and believed to be dead by Howard Saint (John Travolta), the crime lord who ordered the hit. Following his recovery, Castle becomes a heavily armed vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge on Saint and dismantle his underworld empire.
Director
Jonathan Hensleigh
Producer
Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd
Screenwriter
Gerry Conway, Jonathan Hensleigh, Michael France
Distributor
Lionsgate Films, Summit Entertainment
Production Co
Partnership Films, Artisan Entertainment, Marvel Enterprises, Punisher Productions
Rating
R (Language|Brief Nudity|Pervasive Brutal Violence)
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 16, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$33.7M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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