Comments on: Punisher: War Zone Flops

By: Lions Gate Buying Summit » DVDs Worth Watching

Lions Gate Buying Summit » DVDs Worth Watching — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:30:02 +0000

[...] Their slate has included American Psycho, Dogma, Fahrenheit 9/11, the comic book movies Kick-Ass, Punisher: War Zone, and The Spirit, the Conan the Barbarian remake, and the upcoming Hunger Games film [...]

By: Who Wants to See Kick-Ass? » DVDs Worth Watching

Who Wants to See Kick-Ass? » DVDs Worth Watching — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:41:58 +0000

[...] so it’s coming out from the smaller independent Lionsgate, producers of The Spirit, Punisher: War Zone, and horror films like Saw. That track record doesn’t give me a lot of confidence, but [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:54:49 +0000

I have to dissagree, Kill Bill, Desporado, even Punisher (Thomas Cane)did good enouth….Lions Gate should of got on the ball an kept Thomas Cane, The Punisher should be the easiest of Super Hero movies to make, and one of the cheapest, get Quinton Taratino involved, get some B-list c-list actor that an average moviegoer will recognise, oh and a script w/ some sort of plot, you can torchure the heroes friends, but killing everyone associated w/ the hero of the film is sure to cause dissaster when releasing a major studio film.

By: Andrew K

Andrew K — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:48:44 +0000

Hello! Long-time reader, first time poster here.

The problem with the Punisher is that, in the Marvel U, he’s a unique anti-hero fighting alongside and/or against the ‘goody-goodies’ (not to disparage Ennis’ great superhero-less MAX series), whereas on film, he’s just another action hero.

The best Punisher stories are when he clashes with other heroes, particularly Daredevil, and well… you can’t really do that on film.

By: Ralf Haring

Ralf Haring — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:45:31 +0000

The new Punisher was what it was, a hyper-violent R-rated action movie. It wasn’t good, but it was fun. I think Stephenson literally doesn’t even talk for the first twenty minutes of the movie.

By: Paul O'Brien

Paul O'Brien — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:41:49 +0000

I think the problem with the Punisher, as a movie franchise, is that movies don’t need him. In comics, he has a niche: he’s the go-to character for a particular type of B-movie revenge thriller. In movies, they already HAVE B-movie revenge thrillers, and they don’t need to re-import the Punisher just to make them again.

By: El Santo

El Santo — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:38:50 +0000

Ebert gave it two stars, which isn’t so bad considering he gave Fantastic Four only one. I think the timing’s just bad; I personally don’t feel like going to a hyperviolent movie this time of year.

Kinda sad since Ray Stephenson actually looked like Frank Castle.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:01:21 +0000

I think Howard the Duck has a certain amount of unique charm. And a wider potential audience.

I don’t think I’d say “it sucked” (especially since I haven’t seen it), but it didn’t seem to have the quality to transcend its niche, either.

By: George S.

George S. — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:47:58 +0000

Did it flop because it sucked, or because people don’t want to watch these sorts of films on holiday season?

Regardless, I hope I get to watch it when it comes to the Philippines. :)

By: odessa steps magazine

odessa steps magazine — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:45:05 +0000

As I’ve written elsewhere today, two people from work saw it opening day and had a good time with it. It was exactly what they expected: a hyperviolent movie with plenty of black comedy.

It sounds like the Ennis version of the Punisher.

Hard to imagine this movie made less money opening weekend than HOward the Duck did back in the mid 1980s.

By: Tom Sanchez Prunier

Tom Sanchez Prunier — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:42:30 +0000

Just some thoughts from someone who has seen none of the three “Punisher” movies. First one had Dolph Lungren, then Thomas Jayne a couple of years ago. Didn’t recognize the actor from the poster, but wasn’t interested.

If it is to spin off from comic/graphic novel, maybe it should be a video game first? Or is it already? The fact that it flopped during the holidays is no surprise; you nailed it that this season is about family films and Oscar contenders, not action films.

I bet tomorrow’s “Dark Knight” DVD sales will outdo “Punisher” receipts through the end of the year.

Too bad. Good character.

By: Freaky Weasel

Freaky Weasel — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:10:41 +0000

I can’t believe anyone is surprised. In all of comicdom I don’t think there is a more one-note character.

The fanboys that supported his rise in the 90s have grown up, and can’t be entertained (in my opinion) by such a simple story.