The Punisher

This 1989 version of the Marvel Comics character was deemed so bad by the studio as to warrant a direct to video release and this is a cruel injustice. Yes, THE PUNISHER is one hell of a bad film but this rest more in the budget department than anywhere else. For once, Dolph Lundgren is perfectly cast as Frank Castle, the cop who had his family wiped out by the mob and turned to vigilantism for justice. His face, even with black GREASE PAINT applied five o'clock shadow, is perfect, so much so it's as if THE PUNISHER jumped right off of the comic book page and landed on the big screen and there is where THE PUNISHER succeeds despite itself as a film. It is a real live action comic book from start to finsh and should be viewed as such. As director Mark Goldblatt can usually be found in the editing room rather than the helm this film ends up being a lean mean killing machine. With support from Lou Gossett Jr. and the great Jeroen Krabbe and Kim Miyori supplying the baddies THE PUNISHER manages to be good clean violent fun suitable for all ages.