This weekend will provide comic book fans with plenty to talk about. Not only are we finally getting the Justice League movie, but also the new Netflix Punisher show. It is hard to consider the release of this show as counterprograming, since they are both comic book properties - but the down-to-earth, gritty tone of Frank Castle’s character might provide a nice juxtaposition to the over the top, world-ending stakes of the new DC movie.
Marvel has been hit or miss with the television shows, but from what we have seen so far, this portrayal of the Punisher works.
Although the 2004 Punisher movie, and the 2008 Punisher War Zone movie have good moments, they didn’t stick the landing with many fans. During Daredevil season 2, we got to see a version of the Punisher reminiscent of the Garth Ennis run. Jon Bernthal and the showrunners seem to have a grasp on what fans enjoy about the character.
In an interview Bernthal stated:
“I love to read a script and not really know who I'm "rooting for," or who I "believe in." I like it to be challenging. I like there to be a lot of grey area. Yeah, I think all the projects I've done lately, that's in there.”
Bernthal shows an understanding of the complexity behind the character, and gets that this isn’t your typical Marvel good guy,
“I think Frank is brutal. Frank is damaged. Frank is tortured. I think Frank, when he engages in violence, there's something utterly satisfying and addictive for him to be doing that, and that may not be something that the audience can agree with or get behind. But I've always fought to preserve that, and I think that that's a part of him."
The show is currently sitting at a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes with a total of 32 reviews, as well as 58% on Metacritic, based on 12 reviews. It is difficult to not have reservations about aggregate sites, but these ratings do indicate that the show is at least entertaining. Early reviews, combined with the characterization we have already seen in Daredevil, only boosts the anticipation for the property.
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