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After exacting revenge on the people responsible for the deaths of his wife and children, Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than New York's criminal underworld.
- Marvel's The Punisher
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Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/06/23 Full Review Michael Antony A Mikey's TV Review: Marvel's The Punisher (2017) Frank Castle, Marvel's off beat, side lined...
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- November 17, 2017
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By David Griffin
Updated: Nov 21, 2017 8:41 pm
Posted: Nov 17, 2017 8:00 am
Now that Marvel's The Punisher is live on Netflix, please keep up with all of IGN's reviews as we complete them below. We'll be binging along with you to try to find out what happens with Frank Castle's story.
We've completed all of our individual episode reviews (see below) as well as our full season review.
Marvel's The Punisher: Episode 1 - "3 AM" Review (Spoiler-Free) - COMPLETED
It may not come as a surprise, but subtlety is not the show’s strongest suit. There are times when the show shouts its political overtones at the viewer, instead of hinting at them, like they need their characters to literally say “gun control” several times before it sinks in.
The Punisher does excel in the way it handles the issue of PTSD. Frank’s brothers at arms each deal with trauma in different ways. None of the veterans are exactly alike, which adds to their authenticity. The effects on Frank’s mind as a direct result of his violent lifestyle is explored in greater depth as the season progresses. The series is essentially a character study on what being exposed to violence can do to the human psyche. It’s a brutal exploration, but one worth taking.
Jon Bernthal proves that he can headline his own series. He gives an excellent performance as Frank Castle, which is a difficult role to play. In a single interaction, Bernthal can cover a wide range of emotions. When he’s about to kill his enemies, Frank is the scariest guy imaginable, but when he’s around Karen or someone else that he cares for, he’s a completely different person.
Like any good show, The Punisher wouldn’t be as good as it is without a talented supporting cast of characters to back it up. Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s (Girls) portrayal of David Lieberman (aka Micro) is incredible. His relationship with Castle is the glue that holds the series together. The unlikely pair is terrific every time they're on-screen.
Another actor that gives a standout performance is Daniel Webber (11.22.63). His portrayal of Lewis Walcott is dynamic. Watching him struggle to live his life outside of the military is a difficult reminder that many of the problems showcased in The Punisher are very real.
The Punisher does stumble in its depiction of the Homeland Security team, led by Agent Dinah Madani and her partner Sam Stein. At times, they feel like they’re part of another show entirely. Madani and Stein rarely get a chance to do anything interesting, which is a shame, since they are both skilled actors.
There’s also the issue of Karen Page. Deborah Ann Woll (Daredevil) and Bernthal established that they have chemistry back in Daredevil Season 2, but most of her story here feels forced. The Punisher works so well on its own that it’s easy to forget that it’s part of a larger franchise. Karen is acting as this show’s Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson). Sure, Frank will presumably work alongside the rest of the Netflix superhero gang, but there’s no need to remind the viewers of that with Karen’s cameos.
Those few quibbles aside, Marvel’s The Punisher does a great job of building its own unique world away from The Defenders. If you can handle the violence, then The Punisher is worth your time.
Marvel’s The Punisher is a great addition to the Netflix superhero catalog. The show is elevated by strong performances from Bernthal and the supporting cast. Its fearless approach to tackling tough political issues doesn’t always work, but it’s an admirable try. Even in its weaker moments, the series never goes completely off the rails.
Steve Lightfoot. Stars. Jon Bernthal. Amber Rose Revah. Ben Barnes. See production info at IMDbPro. RENT/BUY. from $24.49. Add to Watchlist. Added by 288K users. 892 User reviews. 88 Critic reviews.
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Nov 13, 2017 · Nov 13, 2017 12:01am PT. Critics Pick. TV Review: ‘Marvel’s The Punisher,’ Starring Jon Bernthal. Bernthal is perfectly cast in the comic-book character's surprisingly great standalone...
Nov 17, 2017 · Summary. After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal...
