The Punisher (2004)

There are very few movies which make for a fun repeat watch. The 2004 version of 'The Punisher' belongs to this rarefied category. I watched the movie almost 10 years ago and then caught up with it again last month. The plot twists were familiar the second time around but the fun was still the same. That's what probably got me started off on this movie review. 

 

Tom Jane as 'The Punisher'

The Plot: 

When the younger son of mafia boss Howard Saint (John Travolta) gets killed in an FBI operation headed by Frank Castle (Tom Jane), Saint swears revenge and wipes out Castle's entire family. Castle himself barely survives before emerging from his injuries as the crusading 'Punisher'. 'The Punisher' resolves to extract payback from Saint and proceeds to punish everyone on the wrong side of law with his brand of justice. Will 'The Punisher' succeed (Of course he does)? Watch this lesser talked about installment from the Marvel Cinematic Universe for an enjoyable action-packed experience. 

The blast which almost kills Frank Castle

The Good:

• Revenge dramas only succeed when the feud between 'Good' and 'Evil' is thoroughly established. 'Punisher' does this fabulously by giving us an insight into Castle's personal life. Frank Castle is a family man who not only adores his wife and kid but also reveres his father (played splendidly by Roy Scheider). The destruction of his loved ones at the hands of Howard Saint transforms Frank Castle into 'The Punisher' and lays the foundation for an adrenaline filled action drama.  

Frank Castle's Family Reunion

• The bad guy is only as good as the henchmen he has at his disposal. Realizing that 'The Punisher' has become a menace for his business and safety, Howard Saint sends a number of sharpshooters after 'The Punisher' but none of them is as deadly as the indestructible 'Russian'. The tussle between Castle and 'The Russian' is one of the highlights of the movie. As 'The Russian' swings Castle from pillar to post, Castle desperately struggles to find a footing and mount a fitting reply. 

Kevin Nash as the 'The Russian'

• The stronger the nemesis the greater the superhero. John Travolta infuses Howard Saint with a psychotic charm and adorns him with an air of invincibility. Howard Saint is also well served by his main man Quentin Glass (Will Patton) and his nefarious bombshell of a wife Livia (Laura Harring). Frank Castle's foray towards Saint runs through these formidable villains. The climax where Castle pummels Saint and his entourage into human rubble delivers the ideal payoff for the heinous acts performed by the bad guys. 

Howard Saint at the beginning of the movie

Howard Saint after meeting 'The Punisher'

The Funny

I know I am nitpicking here but why does the crack team sent down to hunt top-notch FBI Agent Frank Castle have three middle-aged guys in it? Sure, age has nothing to do with toughness but isn't aesthetics central to movie making? You guys be the judge.

Will Patton as the 'Quentin Glass' the right hand man of Howard Saint

The Mediocre

• Howard Saint resolves to find the identity of the secret agent who caused his son's death and does so with relative ease. Whom did Saint contact to get this information? Was the identity of those colluding with Saint from within FBI supposed to part of a sequel? Guess we will never know the answers to these questions.

• Similarly when Castle decides to punish Saint he knows exactly where to go and whom to pickup in order to get all the inside information about Saint. I know cinematic liberties exist but had this entire act been tightened up a bit I would have been able to better appreciate Castle's acumen.

• While the casting of Travolta as Saint is an inspired choice, Saint's characterization by itself is uneven throughout the movie. The character hastily morphs from being confident to neurotic to paranoid, all within the same frame. Saint's bipolar characterization lends the necessary edginess to the scenes but prevents the character from reaching the exalted level of a super-villain.  

Castle attacking Saint's establishment

The Verdict

When was the last time you watched an action thriller which chugs along at a remarkable pace and keeps you glued to the screen. If the action tires you out there's an arresting sidetrack with a bevy of strong supporting characters who help 'Castle' regain his faith in humanity.

Rebecca Romjin, Ben Foster and John Pinette round out the supporting cast

The remarkable Tom Jane (in what could be called his best screen outing) donning the titular role of  'The Punisher' holds the movie with his metamorphosis from the amiable 'Castle' into the distant and dark 'Punisher'. Tom captures the soul of 'The Punisher' through his brooding eyes and delivers the final salvo by eventually letting out a roar of emotion in the climatic battle. Of all the movies on 'The Punisher' that were made this one's the best because Tom Jane is the best 'Punisher' of all.

'The Punisher' wrecks Saint's empire

Rated: Time Pass

Note: Not for Children

Until Next Time,

Your Movie Buff,

Chaitanya J.J.