2) Punisher: War Zone (2008)
Punisher: War Zone is hands down one of the best times I’ve ever had in a theater, and it’s the type of movie we just don’t see enough of on the big screen. As far as full-throttle, adrenaline-fuelled, R-rated American action flicks go, they don’t come much better than this. Heads roll, blood sprays by the gallon and the body count is higher than your average battlefield. But what else do you expect from a movie called Punisher: War Zone?
Frank Castle is an avenging angel of death, and Punisher: War Zone sees Ray Stevenson embody the character with aplomb. The plot is basic: Frank, after years of mourning the loss of his family, isn’t done cleaning up the city of its criminals, and he massacres his way through everyone who stands in his way as he pursues the big dogs. Thus, mayhem ensues and bloodletting begins.
Say what you will about the final product, – I get that mindless splatter isn’t for everyone – but War Zone channels the anarchic spirit of Garth Ennis’ insanely good Punisher Max comics. With the upcoming Netflix series set to give Frank Castle the treatment most fans will inevitably get behind, Punisher: War Zone is furthered destined to become a footnote in the franchise’s history on screen. But this is a movie that deserves to be remembered and appreciated for the good time that it is.