Punisher: War Zone

I caught on to this a little late, but I discovered news of “Punisher: War Zone” by happenstance the other day, and I can see how this might or might not work.  “The Punisher” was a film I enjoyed, but I did not love it.  Just like with ”Constantine,” I went to see this movie with a fondness for the comic upon which it was originally based, the onewritten by Garth Ennis.  Instead I got this existential, alcoholic shadow of the Punisher I’d come to love in “Welcome Back Frank” living with a couple of the oddball neighbors from the comic.  I forgave this oversight, though, because Tom Jane’s Punisher made sense as Frank Castle coming to terms with what he’s become following his family’s murder. 

“Punisher: War Zone” is basically following the same plan as the “Hulk” franchise, where the sequel has a new director, writers, and cast.  Ray Stevenson (”Rome”) is playing the Punisher, Dominic West (”The Wire”) is playing Jigsaw, and Wayne Knight (”Seinfeld”) is playing Microchip.  Dash Mihok (”Cavemen”) is cast as Detective Soap, which tells me Garth Ennis’ work will have some influence on this incarnation of the film. 

I have one suggestion for the filmmakers: don’t make the mistake of making Frank Castle remorseful and angst-y.  Other superheroes have emotional problems because they don’t kill people.  What makes the Punisher interesting is that he feels no emotional pain regardless of how many people he kills.  The Punisher is Batman with an uzi, a deeply traumatized man who obsessively hunts and kills bad guys with machine-like efficiency.  If you intend to make an R-rated film, treat the audience like adults, not teenagers.  I actually think this installment could be pretty good, but I sincerely hope they treat the character with the maturity the subject deserves.