Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent and Oscar worthy
Review: In this intense action movie, Dolph Lundgren eerily portrays a perfect Frank Castle AKA The Punisher. My main opinion is this has to be the greatest "B" movie ever to exist (in the eyes of Marvel Punisher fans of course) My only complaint is the story flaws in relation to the actual comic.However, the laughable and remarkably unintelligent one liners by Dolph, along with guest star Louis Gosset jr. make this an unforgettable movie one must see over and over to appreciate the finer points. One noteworthy remark is the city bus driving skills of the Punisher are unparalleled in any movie to date, his seemingly impossible 90 degree turns are made to look easy as this one man war on crime dispenses his own form of justice: Punishment of the Guilty!!! Judge, Jury, and Executioner all in a days work END
Rating: 
Summary: If society won't punish the guilty, he will.
Review: Let's face it, before Blade (1998), X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002), Marvel Comics really didn't have much luck in getting successful films made based on their characters. The reason? Because they would often sell the movie rights to anyone who had two coins to rub together, releasing cinematic flops like Dr. Strange (1978), Howard the Duck (1986), Captain America (1989), and even a Fantastic Four movie that was so bad it never saw the light of day, as it was too bad to even release on video. And then there was The Punisher (1989), a character introduced in the 70's within the pages of The Amazing Spider-Man, issue 129, circa February 1974, a former police detective, now vigilante, taking revenge on criminals, motivated by the death of his family. Most people I know who've seen the film have pretty distinctive feelings about it, ranging from dislike to severe hate, but I always thought it was pretty good, considering...The film, directed by Mark Goldblatt, whose primary credits include editing films like The Howling (1981), The Terminator (1984), and True Lies (1994), stars Dolph Lundgren, Louis Gossett, Jr., and Jerome Krabbé. Yeah, I know what you're thinking...Dolph Lundgren? I think a number of people had instant reservations when hearing Dolph, certainly an interminable dweller of the B movie circuit, pre-judging the film unfairly. Lou Gossett, Jr. brings a little star power to the table, but he also is no stranger to B movie fans appearing in films like Jaws 3-D (1983), Firewalker (1986), and any of the four or so Iron Eagle films. The film opens with a television news report, giving us some expository background with regards to a mafia type recently acquitted of the crime of killing detective Frank Castle (Lungren) and his family five years prior. The report also speaks of an elusive character named the Punisher, who has been busy killing members of the mafia over the last five years, racking up an impressive body count. Any connection? Probably...anyway, the mafia guy, returns home to celebrate, and guess who crashes the party? Killing and explosions ensue. Enter Detective Jake Berkowitz (Gossett). Seems Detective Berkowitz has been leading the investigation of the Punisher for the last five years, and believes the Punisher is actually Frank Castle, despite his superior's beliefs that Castle is dead, as the thought of a rogue cop going around killing people would be unpopular. With the recent death of this mafia boss, there's a void of real leadership in the organization, one filled with the return of Gianni Franco (Krabbé) from Europe, who intends to unite the remains of the various mob families whose ranks have been severely depleted by you know who... Turns out the decimation of the mafia families hasn't gone unnoticed, as the Yakuza (Japanese mafia) has decided to move in and take a controlling interest in criminal activities within the city, a hostile takeover, to say the least. Sounds pretty to the Punisher, as if the criminals are killing themselves off, less work for him...until the Yakuza kidnaps children of the remaining mafia families in an effort to extort control and pressure them under the Yakuza's thumb. So Castle, feeling somewhat responsible as his five-year vendetta has left the families unable to protect even their own children, begins dealing with the Yakuza, which eventually leads to an unlikely alliance with Franco, who's son is one of the kidnapped children. Guns, knives, throwing stars, explosions, it's all here (well, as far as the explosions, at one point the Punisher is firing a grenade launcher, and the explosions seem less than spectacular, more flashy than boom boomy). Not only that but there's a good amount of karate. Lundgren, a former karate champion himself, performs most all of his own stunts, and there is almost no choreography within the marital arts scenes, as real artists were used, and training in stunt techniques. Does the film stay true to the original character portrayed in the comics? For the most part...some minor changes, along with a few major ones (he never dons a shirt emblazoned with a white skull on it). I think one of the main reasons this film was ill received is because comic fans are a particular picky lot, as they spend a lot of time getting to know these characters, and tend to have high expectations when someone adapts one of their favorite characters to the silver screen. I read comics from the age of 9 until I was 23, so I have intimate knowledge, or at least I did, of many characters, and I thought this particular rendition of this character retained most of the important elements. The main element I didn't care for was his living in the sewers. I brought to mind teenage mutant ninja turtles, which is an altogether different film. I did think Lundgren face makeup was overdone. I understand why it was done the way it was, to present the visage of a skull when the light hit his face just right, and it succeeded, but other times he sort of looked like a drag queen. The most painful element of the film was the dialog. I rolled my eyes more than a few times as the delineation between Frank Castle and the Punisher was examined, unsuccessfully. Some of it was extremely corny, more so combined with Lundgren's deadpan delivery. The direction was pretty good in most areas, given that this was Goldblatt's second film, his first being the Joe Piscopo/Treat Williams cop flick Dead Heat (1988). Goldblatt has since returned to editing, which seems a much better fit for him. Gossett is fun to watch, but again, given the dialog, he is given some completely rotten lines, but he does seem to try to make the best of it, earning whatever he got for appearing in this film. A nice wide screen anamorphic print here and good audio, with special features including production notes and a theatrical trailer. Cookieman108
Rating: 
Summary: As good as the new one.
Review: The action in this movie is the best. The effects this movie uses for being from 1989 are awesome. And take this tip from someone who cares. DO NOT BUY A USED VIDEO FROM TSA VIDEO IF YOU VALUE YOUR MONEY.
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad
Review: Not bad considering that Marvel Comics Company did not lend a hand with this film. They did the best with what they had. I think Dolph Lundgren did a great Job portaying the Punisher and in my opinion he should have played the Punisher in the new Punisher Movie instead of Thomas Jane, don't get me wrong Thomas did a good job playing the role of the Punisher, he just did not look enough like the Punisher, Dolph resmbles the punisher a great deal and played the role almost to perfection. But this version of the punisher does have it's faults like for example Dolph's version of the Punisher does not display the Trade Mark Skull on his shirt, and the movie took place in australia instead of New York. But overall the Movie was pretty good considering the lack of help from Marvel. Louis Gossett Jr. also played a good part in this movie, The new Punisher is a little more accurate than this version, but this movie is still a must get and see.
Rating:
Summary: punisher
Review: this dudes family gets wasted in front of him so he goes on a murderous rampage vs organized crime.the punisher is played by the russian dude from rocky 4.this ones more than the kids can handle.especialy the kidnapping parts.his enemy?the jap mob!the real deal is they could have done better but they didnt do bad!
Rating:
Summary: Fun Movie...And Drinking Game!?!?
Review: I agree the film is fun, in a mindless sort of way. It is as good as the 2004 movie. What I remember, that hasn't been posted on here is the the amaturish framing of shots. Watch where people are standing, or when an objest like a chair is moved. You can see the marks, literally white x spots, where people are supposed to stand or objects are supposed to be placed. I was waiting for an anvil to fall on one chicks head, Wily Coyote style. And you won't see this only once or twice, it is throughout the movie. Take a drink everytime you see one and you will be stone cold drunk before it's over. Enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: both punisher movies are fun
Review: This Punisher flick is one of my favorites. Some folks like to nit pick this one because it's a product of it's time but that's what makes it different from the more recent (and also entertaining) version and I like both versions. It's true that he doesn't wear a skull but the newer version makes changes in the story too (his family doesn't get killed in Central Park) and there are people who complain about that and other changes too. Both movie versions are slightly different from the comic and yet both are largely faithful. Most importantly: both are fun! I've got both Punisher DVDs and I'm glad I do. They are both entertaining in their own way. The more Punisher the better!
Rating: 
Summary: Has "The Punisher Feel" but weres "The Punisher"
Review: This movie was the thing that attracted me to the comics at the age of 7. Yet now today I realize that it really was disapointing. The film yes in a way had faith to the comic, but were was the Punisher. You cannot expect to put Lundgren in a film and get away with it on top of that trying to sneek passed the iconic skull emblum on the shirt. First I dont like martial art films, and this movie had revolving around a Japanesse mob, so thats not a another goodie. So yeah a good thanks to Jon Hensleigh for makin the new one.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the year 2004 version
Review: The 2004 version was too soft and watered down for my tastes. I didn't like it at all.
This 1989 version is how the Punisher is truely meant to be. He punishes the guilty with extreme prejudice, without hesitation and without regrets.
Rating: 
Summary: Leather Clad Sewer Rat with a Harley
Review: Having just bought, and reviewed, the most recent (and unquestionably better) version of the Marvel character adaptation, I thought I'd revisit this 80's action yarn, and say a few words. Which is about all you can say - Dolph Lundgren is even more wooden than usual, having been saved from Death by Louis Gosset, who I can only assume was flat broke, to have even wanted to be associated with this garbage. It's bad, I mean real bad - the plot is all over the place, with virtually no references to the comic book story. Scenes begin with no explanation whatsoever, and usually end in an enormous explosion. The Punisher has a weakness it seems, (aside from inability to act) and gets badly bloodied and beaten in a fist fight. But this is only a minor setback, as when faced with an army of machine gun toting goons he of course emerges completely unscathed. This is a cheap action flick of the type that were turned out by the 80's macho grist mill almost every week it seemed, and although some were good - this is one you'll want to forget in a hurry. Everything about it is says cheap and poorly finished, from characters to set design, and as for hiding out by riding around the sewers on a Harley that's loud enough to wake the dead - gimme a break! Average by Lundgrens standards, which is of course, not much of a recommendation - give this one a miss and catch the new one instead - you'll be glad you did.
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