The movie opens during a sting operation in the works.  Frank Castle (Thomas Jane) plays an undercover FBI agent.  
Something goes wrong with the sting operation and this is where all of Castle's problems start.  This is Castle's last FBI
undercover assignment.  He is moving out of the field and taking a desk job, but first he is going to take some time off.  
The Castle family is having a family reunion, including extended family members.  

Now revenge is the word in this movie.   Tampa businessman Howard Saint (John Travolta) and his glamorous wife Livia
(Laura Harring) are not the saints people think they are...they have underworld ties.  The Saint’s are about to reak havoc
on Frank Castle's family to avenge the undercover sting that went wrong.

Frank Castle's worst fears come true as his entire family, including his wife and son are murdered.  Castle lives through
this nightmare and is tormented by the loss of his entire family.

Castle, takes all his training as a former Special Forces operative and FBI undercover agent, and plans his revenge on the
"Saint's."   He plans their punishment...thus giving him his name "The Punisher."  The skull logo he wears is a tribute to
his dead son.  

Castle moves into a rundown apartment building in an industrial area.   He starts building a special car, and starts arming
himself with various guns, fixes his apartment incase someone comes after him.  When you first see him fixing the
apartment up, you wonder what he is doing.  Not until later in the movie do you find out and it really is an action filled
event, which Thomas Jane says he did about 90% of his stunts.  He mentioned in the press conference at ShoWest that he
kept looking for a body double (stunt person) and there was not one, so he did the stunt.  He also had to beef up for the
role.  He gained about 32 lbs. all muscle and you could see it in the movie.  

Castle is a loaner in the apartment building; he does not mix with the other tenants.  They wonder about him, but these
people are losers and afraid to ask him what he is doing in his apartment.  This is the best place for Castle to hide out
while getting ready to punish those who killed his family.

Soon this weird trio of Castle's fellow tenants becomes his new family.  The trio includes Joan (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), a
waitress at a diner who is trying to get her life back on track.   The other tenants are two men who are fearful of
everything...but they do come to Castle's defense in an odd way when needed.

Castle seeks his revenge and this is where the writing is so great.  There are some humorous parts, but mostly action,
violence and a bloody mess.  Castle seeks to punish the murderers and finds redemption.

According to information obtained on this Marvel Comic..."The Punisher" character appeared in a comic book over 25
years ago.  He became so popular with avid comic book readers, "The Punisher" changed course as a background character
to a lead character in the 1990s, about three times a month.  By 2000 "The Punisher" became one of Marvel Comics'
highest selling comic books and has remained a top seller.

This film contained a lot of great acting and was action packed.  Thomas Jane was very good as the lead character Frank
Castle ("The Punisher").   When you meet him he is so the opposite of his character.

Rebecca Romijn-Stamos plays a loser, a recovering drug addict, and a woman who seems to always pick the wrong men.  
She does not wear sexy costumes or body paint and fight off bad people.  It was nice to see her in this role and she said that
was why she picked the part.  This role shows that she is not just a pretty face...she can also act.   I found Romijn-Stamos
and the other two losers in the movie quite enjoyable and they added to the storyline.  

This was Jonathan Hensleigh's directorial debut, and he did not disappoint those who were at this screening during
ShoWest in Las Vegas.   Check out our link to the Lions Gate Films' Press Conference for "The Punisher" at ShoWest
2004.  

I understand "The Punisher 2" is in the works.  Like I said these types of movies are not my cup-of-tea, but I think I
might have to see the sequel.  If you can get through the intense violence, plus the bloody-scenes there is a moral to the
story.

For a trailer of the film check Lions Gate Films' official Website.

Vegas' Arts & Entertainment Corner

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