The Punisher (1989) [DVD]

Long ago in a far away land, long before the coming of the Marvel Epic, there was a rough and ready merc who appeared often as a guest character in Spider-Man and other books who got a film. The folks who read the book knew him right off the bat! The Punisher was coming to the big screen! They got a Hollywood Tough Guy, best known for his role ad Drago from the Rocky Movies, and put him in the roll of the gritty, take no prisoners merc. All told the body count was 91 people. The movie was gritty, dark, noir-esque.People, by and large, stayed away from the movie. He wasn't a loveable character like TV's Spider-Man, or Wonder Woman, not shiny/squeaky clean like Superman. He was a take no prisoners, deliver no one liners kinda guy. The thing that made him an outcast in the Marvel Universe and a HIT with it's readers made the viewing public uncomfortable. Much the same way those who came after him were (see also "The Punisher" starring Thomas Jane and "Punisher War Journal" with Ray Stevenson). This is not a superhero movie for kids. In fact, in this case, superhero is a bit of a misnomer, as The Punisher is just a really dedicated angry man, a Vietnam Vet fighting a war on crime to avenge his family... but he knows what most who seek to get revenge don't: That once you've made revenge your life's work and achieved revenge against those who wronged you (in this case killed your family), you are left with nothing but emptiness. The Punisher understands this, so he continues. Revenge is replaced by the mission, and the object of the mission is to wipe out crime so that no one else will suffer the fate of his family. Latter portrayals have cast the Punisher as a more and less fleshed out personality, Jane's was by far the most likeable of the actors who have taken on the role, Stevenson was by far the most taciturn in his portrayal, like an entity or spirit of revenge. Dolph Lundgren's performance strikes the balance between the two, portraying the anti-hero as both strong and at odd moments spiritual. Perhaps the greatest complaint was the absence of the trademark Skull Logo on The Punisher's chest. Less egregious, the absence of the Marvel convention of "mercy bullets" as referenced in a Marvel Team Up with the Punisher and Spider Man.The fact is, The Punisher will probably never gain the wide following of the rock stars of the Marvel Universe such as Thor, Captain America, and the Avengers. The bright shining lights of the Marvelverse cast a wide shadow, and that is where The Punisher resides. With the obsession of his DC counterpart, Batman, but without the fancy toys, The Punisher will forever occupy the dark and gritty alleyways while Iron Man soars high above, and that's all right. There is as much room in the spectrum for Film Noir as there is for the Musical.The first Punisher film is not the glitzy joyful romp of the recent spate of Marvel Studios films, but neither is it the abomination of the Sci Fi Channel's "Nick Fury," the rather goofy "Fantastic Four" films, or the earnest but over pronounced Daredevil. This isn't one you'll want to watch with the kids, but the teens might appreciate it. If you're a fan of the comic film canon, this film is a MUST have to add to your collection.

When TOM JANE'S PUNISHER was first released on DVD back in 2005Dolph Lundgren's version was also re-issued on DVD by the U.S. Distributor the same yearto promote the new remake with Tom Janethey are both Different versions of the Comic book Hero so it's up to personal preferenceof which version is the better versioni like both versions myself i think they are equally as GoodDolph Lundgren's version has different storyline to the Tom Jane versionwhich is interesting, Dolph Lundgren's version involves the Japanese mafiataking over the American mafia with the Punisher right in the middle of it which most of the plotBut this is about Dolph Lundgren's versiononly the Theatrical version has been officially released on DVD by the U.S. Distributorand on blu-ray years later by Anchor bay U.K.which again only has the Theatrical version with no extras of coursewhich is an excellent version goes for about 85minstons of action and violence but lacks storyline and plotThere is also a Workprint version of Dolph Lundgren's versionwhich has only been released officially by German DVD Distributor Starlightfilm/XT Videoreleased in 2005 to promote the Tom Jane remakein my opinion this workprint version is much much better than the Theatrical versionit's an extended cut version with about 8mins of extra scenes runtime about 95minsthis extended cut tells the story more thoroughly about Frank castle's family and their Deathby one of the Mafia family'sthe extra scenes also extend Lundgren's performance as the Punisher and how Frank castle became the Punisherwhen the Theatrical version does not have the backstorybrilliant performance by Dolph Lundren who Portrays the Punisher as a Psychotic cop hell bent on killing criminalsDolph Lundgren plays the Punisher broken down and burnt out on a murderous rampage that couldn't care about the Justice systemvery sad and tragic actuallyKim Miyori who plays Lady Tanaka gives incredible amazing performance as the lead Japanese mafiashe should've won an academy award her performance is that Goodthis extended version UNRATED version has more violence and killing scenes than the Theatrical versionthis extended cut is in Full screen only and has been Digitally remastered with 5.1 stereo soundso it's definitely watchable, sounds Good and Looks Good, not fantastic but Goodthis version has only been released on DVD once by German dvd Distributor Starlightfilms/XT Videoback in 2005and has not been re-issued since, i Don't know who holds the rights to this workprint versionbut the XT video dvd release is the only way to watch itvery very rare now 9 years later, i was very lucky to get myself a copy about 4 years agothere is a listing for it on amazon.com but no sellersAmazon.de is the only website you can still buy it but very expensive now.but definitely worth the cash if you can get a copy

I remember watching this movie with my Grandmother back in the day, she loved it and I do too because it reminds me of her. Plus it is just an awesome throwback action movie - turn the brain off and enjoy it.

Download and stream Slim Phast....Rivercat I thanks

I’ve seen this movie lots of time and will watch it even more now that I own it.

Danke

Buena película para los que nos gustó en su época solo recalcar que es un blu ray R es decir regrabable ,pero en España no existe en otro formato HD así que si la quieres es lo que hay

Es buena pero no trae subtitulos de ningún idioma, solo para que lo tomen en cuenta.

Coffret conforme à l'annonce, état neuf, superbe. Bien emballé, bien envoyé. Bonne transaction