MovieChat Forums > The Punisher (2004) Discussion > Most underrated comic movie EVER.

Most underrated comic movie EVER.

posted 9 years ago by shelliiaae
24 replies | jump to latest

Without a doubt this is the most underrated comic book movie EVER.

So why did it not do so well? Simple, it was before its time. This movie came out in an era when comic book movies weren't doing much. Keep in mind, Iron Man Came out FOUR long years after this, which was the first giant Comic book hit... and Superman Returns (which at the time was seen as a mild success, especially among critics) in 2007. This movie was released in 2003-2004, and no one wanted to see comic book heroes, let alone ones cracking skulls! With the recent success of DEADPOOL, I believe this movie would be huge now.

The premise was very realistic and gritty, something that many of the modern comic fans crave. Why do we love Batman? He is a normal (except rich lol) guy who has a tragic past, and doesn't use any powers...the Punisher is even more relatable as his not even rich, just a guy...just a former law enforcement officer!

It's got the "Everyman" quality going for it, it's got the gritty realistic element going for it, and it's based in our own world, with a man fighting to "Punish" those who killed his family...how could this not be a monster hit now days!?

Then take Thomas Jane, who I believe was born to play this role, as much as Reynolds was born to play DEADPOOL! If you need anymore proof of that, watch "Punisher - Dirty Laundry" on YouTube and then come back...ill wait...*does a little dance*.... Do dee do doo bop boop be doo....oh hi, welcome back!! Did I tell you or what!? He was born for the role.

Then my last point is kind of just a mix of all my previous points. The movie is so gritty, I can't push this point enough! The fact that you have a broken man, the only thing he lived for was his family, and now his family is gone. And he's ANGRY, Frank Castle is gone along with his family, he's now. I love that, I love that he isn't on a mission of redemption, or of just "getting the bad guys" he's on a ruthless mission to PUNISH everyone just as they've done to him, he will take from them what they've taken from him, and he's not going to show mercy.

He isn't looking to just help out innocent people, intact he only really goes out of his way to help one woman, and it's only because the guy is in his way. Nothing comes of him helping her, not any romance...nothing! Nothing except one cheesy dinner that's meaningless. I
Love when a movie doesn't need a male lead (I'm a female so I'm not being sexist here lol) doesn't need a love interest! He's not interested in love.

It just gives the film such gritty situations! It's so dark, it's so real, it doesn't apologize for the intense violence, and it doesn't try to send any kind of message about "doing what's right".

Superhero movies didn't even come into their own long after Iron Man. Keep in mind even the first Captain America was only a moderate success, not anymore so than The Punisher, or Superman Returns.

This movie failed for one reason only...wrong place, wrong time. Which is so sad...Travolta was such a great bad guy, as he always is...Jane was such an amazing Punisher! (War zone SUCKED!)

Why did I love The Dark Knight movies? The same reason I loved Man of Steel, and the same reason I loved this...because it's not about "saving the world" or the flashy colors. It's about humanity, the very best and the very worst of humanity. Comic book movies are best when they don't try to be comics.

Anyways, sorry if I've repeated myself a couple of times, I probably have lol. I just love this movie so much, (and it hurts me to say that as I am a 100% DC fan-girl till I die!)

I can't understand why so many people don't like this film!? What is it? Is it TOO serious? The Punisher IS a serious character, he's not a goofy, silly character...he originally wasn't even a "good guy" ...he was created to kill Spider-Man for God sake!

If anyone disagrees with me, I will respect your opinions but I am very curious as to why you may not have liked this movie? To me this character is a lot what an "adult version" of Batman could/should be! Maybe not as vicious, as Batman isn't a total lost soul his entire life, but as far as the gritty nature.

Thoughts!? (I know this was long AF, sorry lol I am kind of a rambler)

[–] Steefnesss 8 years ago

TL;DR

You lost me at

So why did it not do so well? Simple, it was before its time.

If it's before it's time, I sure hope I don't live long enough to see it's time, because that will be a sad day for cinema.

This thread is full of people with horrible taste in movies.

Always remember to read the small print, it helps avoid confusion.

[–] snts6678 8 years ago

Just watched it with my friends last night. We return to it now and again because of how BAD it is...laughably so. I've read comics since I was a child and the Punisher has always been one of my favorite characters. No justice was done with him here.

You mentioned maybe the movie for some was "too serious". Are you kidding? We must have seen different movies if you missed all the ridiculous dialogue and tone-deaf almost comical moments that were scattered throughout. How about the scene with the Russian that was almost played as a Three Stooges gag? How about the dopey double crossing goon in the track outfit? How about the obligatory "fat character"? You know, the one who is constantly shown eating and holding loaves of bread? Need I go on?

As a bad guy John Travolta is atrocious. Hammy, scene-chewing performance that is just unbearable to watch. I HATE this movie more than I can express.

There was no right place, right time for this slop. It never should have made it to production. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

[–] redban (6645) 6 years ago

When Punisher was released, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, and X-Men had already been major successes. There were the Blade and Crow movies before, and just one year later, Batman Begins was released to critical acclaim.

So society did have an appetite for superhero movies, including mature ones (ie Blade, Crow).

I think 2004 was just a strange year for films. Movies like Punisher (like Man on Fire, Troy, and some others) just had a bad time with critics, for some reason.

I do agree that Punisher is better than the 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

[–] Jones70 (6650) 6 years ago

I agree with that, makes me think of this comment Roger Ebert made about someone saying that “this is the comic book movie that Sam Peckinpah would have made”.