The Punisher was created in 1974 by Comic Book writer Gerry Conway. A veteran of the Military whose family was murdered by the mob. And Frank Castle became a vigilantie who would use violent methods to end crime.
By the late 1980s, the character was at the height of his popularity. A movie was made, but it was a critical and financial failure. You see, this was a time where every Marvel film sucked. Then, Blade came out and it showed that there could be good Marvel movies. In 2004, the film was rebooted and stared Thomas Jane. The movie was a decent hit, but comic book fans hated it, saying there was too much brooding. So, it was rebooted AGAIN, and it was an ugly sight. The movie became the lowest-grossing Marvel film. Howard the Duck made more money. That's sad.
So the rights went back to Marvel, because Lionsgate would be insane to make another film, and Jon Bernthal of Walking Dead and Fury fame will portray the character in the second season of DareDevil. However, before that happens, people started to try and figure out which is the better of the Punisher films. So which one is?
THE PUNISHER: WHO WAS BETTER?
IN THE CASE OF THE '89 FILM: Something I should have brought up is that while fans don't like any of these films, this is the one they hate the most. Why? Because if you thought World War Z or Super Mario Bros strayed from the source material, you ain't see nothing. The character doesn't wear the trademark skull symbol. None of his supporting cast is in this. His base of operations is a sewer. He meditates naked in that sewer. I'm not even sure if anyone refers to him as The Punisher.
IN THE CASE OF THE '04 FILM: This movie decided to focus a lot of the story on the development of Frank Castle. I think Thomas Jane was great in the role, as the Punisher, he was a cold-hearted killer. As castle, he was an emotional wreck after his wife and kid were murdered. A lot of people don't like the fact the he was brooding half the time. To which I reply: HIS ENTIRE FAMILY WAS MURDERED! (Plus, Jane made that kickass Dirty Laundry short).
IN THE CASE OF WAR ZONE: This movie was more of a gory cartoonish take on The Punisher. I thought Ray Stevenson was also very good in the role. Not only does he resemble the character from the comics, but he also breathes life into the cliched arc that he is given in the film.
WINNER:
THE PUNISHER (2004)
It was tough for me to choose between Jane and Stevenson, but I went with Jane because of that kick-ass Dirty Laundry Short.
THE VILLAIN: WHO WAS BETTER?
IN THE CASE OF THE '89 FILM: This movie has Jeroen Krabbe as mobster Gianni Franco... and he's a complete cartoon.
IN THE CASE OF THE '04 FILM: This movie has Howard Saint. At first, he's a pretty cool vilain. He's a pampered rich boy who's secretly a badass and ruthless gangster. However, there's one tiny thing holding this character back. See, John Travolta does a good job... as the pampered rich boy. When he's playing the sadistic and threatning gangster, he seemed more like... well, a cartoon.
IN THE CASE OF WAR ZONE: You may be tired of me saying this, but this villain is, once again, a cartoon, complete with a cartoon accent. This movir has Jigsaw, a vain gangster whose face is destroyed during a battle with The Punisher. While the makeup was great, the character is over the top, with his accent and with how vain he is. Plus, there's a scene with him stolen from Tim Burton's Batman. Plus, instead of going after The Punisher because of his face, Jigsaw starts to cry.
WINNER:
THE PUNISHER (2004)
While Travolta came off as cartoonish when he was supposed to be threatning, there were a few things I liked here. Like the character is pretty cool, and Travolta is good when portraying the snobby rich boy side.
THE COSTUME: WHICH WAS BETTER?
IN THE CASE OF THE '89 FILM: He looks nothing like he does in the comics. At least in other CBMs that change the costumes, you can kinda see a resemblence to the much more iconic costume, but nothing here.
IN THE CASE OF THE '04 FILM: At first, this costume is pretty cool. It's a bulletproof vest with the trademark skull on it. Then he gets stabbed in the arm, and you realize how stupid the costume is.
IN THE CASE OF WAR ZONE: Like the last film, he's wearing a bulletproof vest. Except this time, he's wearing more stuff.
WINNER:
WAR ZONE
I can't be the only one who thinks that this is a badass costume.
THE ACTION: WHICH WAS BETTER?
IN THE CASE OF THE '89 FILM: Nothing special here. The action here is something you could find in any Stallone or Arnold movie in the 80s.
IN THE CASE OF THE '04 FILM: The action here is pretty decent. However, while it's pretty good, it feels like it's missing something, and it feels lacking at some points.
IN THE CASE OF WAR ZONE: If there's one thing that people actually like about this movie, it's the gore. There's a lot of it in this movie and it's awesome. Plus, it gets very "creative" when it comes to ways for removing heads.
WINNER:
WAR ZONE
COOLEST PUNCH EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
STORY: WHICH WAS BETTER?
IN THE CASE OF THE '89 FILM: This is nothing but a generic '80s action movie. It's Commando if you ruined it by throwing an iconic comic book character that has doing to do with anything into the mix. The story is empty and there's nothing there.
IN THE CASE OF THE '04 FILM: At first, it's a generic revenge story. However, I admire the filmmakers for trying to add in a layer of character development. Although, I will admit that they could of cut about five minute of the brooding. Yeah, I know, his entire family was killed, but cut out a small chunk, and there wouldn't be a difference.
IN THE CASE OF WAR ZONE: As I mentioned before, the story is pretty cliche. Ray Stevenson tries his best to make it work, but his scenes are interupted by cartoon villains.
WINNER:
THE PUNISHER (2004)
A bit too long, but better than I expected.
BEING AWFUL: WHICH WAS BETTER?
IN THE CASE OF THE '89 FILM: If you couldn't tell, I hate this movie. May be one of Marvel's worst.
IN THE CASE OF THE '04 FILM: Every fan of CBMs has a few of them that many think are bad, but they like anyway. I have a few of them, and this is one. Sorry guys.
IN THE CASE OF WAR ZONE: Imagine if you took the cartoony aspects of the last two films, and crank them up to an 11 for this film. Although, I do admire what Lexi Alexander was trying to do with this movie, and I can say the movie was okay. Not good, not bad, just okay.
WINNER:
THE PUNISHER (1989)
Yes, I did add in this stupid category because I had to give the '89 trash SOMETHING.
AND THE BEST PUNISHER MOVIE IS...
THE 2004 FILM!
What? You thought I was going to do the thing I did in my F4 article, where I say a diffrent movie that's similar instead? Is that what you want? Fine! FINE!
THE BEST PUNISHER MOVIE IS DIRTY LAUNDRY!
EITHER WAY, THOMAS JANE IS STILL THE BEST PUNISHER.
AND NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THAT...
OH YEAH, THE TALENTED ZOMBIE-SLAYING BOXER IS THE PUNISHER NOW.
SORRY, TOM!