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Movies / On DVD / Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone

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Punisher: War Zone (2008)

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66 %
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Reviews Counted:3

Fresh:2

Rotten:1

Average Rating:6.6/10

Consensus: Punisher: War Zone recalls the excessively violent, dialogue-challenged actioners of the 1980s, and coincidentally feels two decades out of date.

Rated: 18 [See Full Rating] for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:06-02-2009

Synopsis: PUNISHER: WAR ZONE, the third screen appearance from Marvel Comics' angel of death, continues the saga of Frank Castle, normal New York City citizen turned Mafia-slaying vigilante following the... PUNISHER: WAR ZONE, the third screen appearance from Marvel Comics' angel of death, continues the saga of Frank Castle, normal New York City citizen turned Mafia-slaying vigilante following the murder of his wife and daughter. Upping the violence level to the intensity of a horror film, this outing requires no prior knowledge of the character's screen antics and features an appealingly stoic performance from Ray Stevenson, who cuts an imposing physical presence, and is a more-than-worthy successor to previous Punishers Dolph Lundgren (1990) and Thomas Jane (2004). Six years after the death of his family, Frank Castle 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. Though there are plenty of tongue-in-cheek moments to lighten its impact, the graphic bloodshed in PUNISHER: WARZONE is often startling and is sure to satisfy the bloodlust of any fan of violent action cinema. Directed by former karate and kickboxing champion Lexi Alexander (GREEN STREET HOOLIGANS), the film is frenetically paced and retains a true comic book feel, mostly due to a colorful lighting scheme and a particularly hammy performance by West, who seems to be having a blast. [More]

Starring: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Doug Hutchison, Colin Salmon

Starring: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Doug Hutchison, Colin Salmon, Wayne Knight, Dash Mihok, Julie Benz

Director: Lexi Alexander

Director: Lexi Alexander
Screenwriter: Matthew Holloway, Art Marcum, Nick Santora, Kurt Sutter, Lexi Alexander
Producer: Gale Anne Hurd, Avi Arad
Composer: Christopher Franke
Studio: Lions Gate Films

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Punisher: War Zone

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1 - 2 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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[Blu-Ray DVD review] Punisher: War Zone is a genre-bending thrill ride that offers wall-to-wall gruesome for your viewing pleasure. See it asap!

Full Review Source: Dread Central | comment Comment
04/15/09
Uncle Creepy
Uncle Creepy
Dread Central

Shows there is fool's gold scattered amongst the riches of comic book adaptations.

Full Review Source: Popdose | comment Comment
03/18/09
Robert Cashill
Robert Cashill
Popdose
 
 
1 - 2 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Punisher: War Zone

March 16, 2009: RT on DVD: Exclusive Clips From Twilight, Punisher: War Zone
It's a big week for fans of Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance Twilight, which was adapted into the biggest movie phenomenon of 2008 and is headed to shelves this Saturday, March... More...

December 05, 2008: Female Directors Challenge Status Quo Opens in new window
Hollywood directors have always been a bit of a boys' club, but as the $70 million opening of Catherine Hardwicke's "Twilight" attests, that's slowly changing. More...

December 04, 2008: Critics Consensus: Cadillac Records Rocks, Punisher Hurts
This week at the movies, we've got red-hot rhythm and blues (Cadillac Records, starring Adrien Brody and Beyonce Knowles), vigilante justice (Punisher: War Zone, starring Ray... More...

December 04, 2008: Box Office Guru Preview: Punisher Heads Into Weak Frame
Following the Thanksgiving holiday frame, the North American box office should hit the brakes and see sharp declines in ticket sales. The action offering Punisher: War Zone is... More...

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