The best Punisher film ever is 10 minutes long.

[J Arcane]

[civil_dead]

That was pretty awesome. I recognized some of the actors so I assume there was serious money behind this. I'm not too familiar with the Punisher character so I don't know if it would be within his character to wait so long before acting. I was troubled that he let the rape happen and the kid get pretty beat up before acting, but if that fits within the Punisher universe it would make sense that it happened. I think he's supposed to be some sort of anti-hero, but even "bad" good guys know to step in before rape happens, right? It also says something that it was the child's beating that got him to finally step in, rather than the woman's rape. Though maybe she needed actual motivation to kill the bad dude at the end.

On a related note: I really, really wished she would have kicked the lighter over rather than pick it up. The minimal effort involved would have added to the revenge, IMO.

Also: Ron Perlman is one righteous dude.

[Squidbot]

I agree with civil on every point, including the point about kicking the lighter. When her feet came into shot I thought she was just going to casually and dismissively kick it over and walk away.

I have much man love for Ron Perlman.

[J Arcane]

I like that they got Jane to do it, and he did it better than he did in either of the films he actually got paid the big bucks for. Tells me the director was probably an idiot. He looks more like Castle in this film than he did in the previous two.

Him not stopping the rape, or even the beating until after the talk with Perlman, I'm not sure about, thematically. Maybe he figured on them being prostitutes made them lesser considerations maybe? Frank Castle is a pretty fucked up dude.

Cinematically, though, it was genius, it builds such a tension because you know who he is and what he's going to do but you're just waiting for that moment when he finally snaps and does it.

As for the lighter kicking, I almost got the sense from her performance like she was deciding what to do, and a non-chalant kick wouldn't sell that. Plus, the booze was already drying up on the pavement by the time she walked over, so I would've considered it a flub if a kick was enough to light it.

And yes, Perlman is always, always awesome.

[Squidbot]

Also, I have a bottle of Jack on my desk. I am eyeing it with consideration.

[Vandabo]

There were a lot of compound fractures in that film...

To me this either felt like an origin story, or a story where he has tried to stop being the Punisher (hence the comment about being sober and the reluctance to act). Mind you, I've never read any of the comics, so I don't know the background.

It was definitely enjoyable. Perlman is always a nice touch, and Thomas Jane is a cool dude.

Also, it's refreshing to see a glass bottle that doesn't atomize when swung at someone's head.

[Squidbot]

And another thing; what's with all these action heroes just throwing their zippos away? It's not like some crappy plastic disposable lighter! Wouldn't catch me throwing my zippo into a fuel spill and walking away in shades to The Who.

[J Arcane]

Yeah, my old Zippo cost me almost 30 bucks. I was pissed when I lost it.

However, I think the main reason they use them is because they stay lit. Safety lighters don't without modification.

[Squidbot]

Clearly action heroes need to be issued with splints.

[Vandabo]

You gotta have the windproof and safety-less zippo to toss around. Can't do that witha BIC lighter. It's not nearly as badass to sit there fumbling with the child-proofing and then gingerly touching the flame to the fuel while holding down the valve.

Plus, a zippo costs about as much as one clip of most of the ammo that is sprayed around... So it's not exactly their biggest expense.

edit: the clear answer to this is using a cigarette or cigar or something to light it off, but that's becoming so taboo now it isn't happening as often.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by J Arcane

I like that they got Jane to do it

That's because it was mainly Jane involved. He wanted to do this and got together with some friends of his to make it happen.

As he says, "I wanted to make a fan film for a character I've always loved and believed in - a love letter to Frank Castle & his fans. It was an incredible experience with everyone on the project throwing in their time just for the fun of it. It's been a blast to be a part of from start to finish -- we hope the friends of Frank enjoy watching it as much as we did making it."

Originally Posted by J Arcane

and he did it better than he did in either of the films he actually got paid the big bucks for.

He was only the Punisher in one film.

[J Arcane]

I thought he was in both? Or was it Hitman guy in the second one?

[Scaryfaced]

Ray Stevenson played the Punisher in War Zone, which is a surprisingly good movie if you give it a chance. Most people, myself included, ignored it when it came out. Then I listed to an interview with the director on How Did It Get Made and changed my mind.

Still, if i remember my internet rumors correctly, Jane was heavily researching the role after his first Punisher movie didn't turn out how he'd hoped. Word is he would frequent gun and knife conventions and grill the creepy people about how to kill someone in the most efficient way possible. He was planning a hard R second punisher film a little more in tune with how the character is currently portrayed, probably the MAX version.

[evilgoodwin]

Originally Posted by J Arcane

I thought he was in both? Or was it Hitman guy in the second one?

Neither. Second Punisher was Ray Stevenson (if you consider Jane to be the first and ignore Lundgren's version).

[Savok]

Originally Posted by civil_dead

That was pretty awesome. I recognized some of the actors so I assume there was serious money behind this. I'm not too familiar with the Punisher character so I don't know if it would be within his character to wait so long before acting. I was troubled that he let the rape happen and the kid get pretty beat up before acting, but if that fits within the Punisher universe it would make sense that it happened. I think he's supposed to be some sort of anti-hero, but even "bad" good guys know to step in before rape happens, right? It also says something that it was the child's beating that got him to finally step in, rather than the woman's rape. Though maybe she needed actual motivation to kill the bad dude at the end.

On a related note: I really, really wished she would have kicked the lighter over rather than pick it up. The minimal effort involved would have added to the revenge, IMO.

Also: Ron Perlman is one righteous dude.

Deep down Frank knows what he is. He spoke of killing as an addiction which for him it basically is. He's a serial killer and the film treats killing someone incredibly seriously, which is notable for anything involving action since the 80s. This is why the prostitute didn't just casually murder someone, the reality is taking a life is kinda a big decision. And of course the point of that is to show just how naturally it comes to Frank, how casual he is about it, because he's a monster that just feel off the wagon. But he's our monster so we like him.

[Zecon]

Oh God, That was the best thing I've watched all year.
Makes me hope for another Punisher movie.

[digitalErich]

Apparently Thomas Jane directed that himself. Maybe he wants to push Marvel to loop the character into their movie metaverse.

[J Arcane]

Ben Grimm over on G+ was saying that Marvel has the film rights to Punisher back in house now, so it could happen.

After that shoot, I kinda hope it does too, and with Jane in the role.

[Savok]

Originally Posted by digitalErich

Apparently Thomas Jane directed that himself. Maybe he wants to push Marvel to loop the character into their movie metaverse.

No no no. The biggest problem Punisher's always had is how the fuck can he function in the MU? Why doesn't any number of heroes who hate him and all his murdering shut him down?

[Squidbot]

Oh for fuck's sake. I agree with Savok, again!
He fits even less with the recent Marvel movies.