“Women’s History Month” and “The Punisher” are probably not the first two things that come to mind when you think of both of them. But, I’m here to tell you that they indeed fit together, since a woman directed the grittiest Punisher movie of all time.
That woman in question is Lexi Alexander, and the movie is 2008’s Punisher: War Zone. P:WZ is actually one of many action movies directed by a woman, and it features my favorite live-action version of the character. In fact, Punisher: War Zone is my second favorite comic book movie of all time, right after Dredd.
Is it highly lauded like Black Panther or Joker? Of course not! But I’ll take this pulpy, no-holds-barred movie any day of the week over both of those movies. Here’s why.
First Of All, Punisher: War Zone Is Probably The Closest Movie That Captures The Feel Of The Comics
For those keeping count, there have been three Punisher movies and one series (with a special on the way!). While I think all of them have something to offer, the one that I find the closest to the Punisher comics is Lexi Alexander's movie, which has the perfect blend of grittiness and comic book silliness.
The 1989 Punisher movie with Dolph Lundgren is silly, yes, but not so much gritty. The Thomas Jane one tries to be gritty, but it kind of falls flat. The Netflix Punisher series was gritty, but not silly. Punisher: War Zone nails both, though.
For example, there’s a scene where a guy flips off a roof, only to get blown up by a rocket launcher. Or, what about the bathroom fight where Ray Stevenson faces off against a cannibal psychopath who keeps biting him? This movie just nails both grit and comic book looniness, and Lexi Alexander made it happen.
Alexander Also Perfectly Nailed Frank Castle With Ray Stevenson
Most Punisher fans will tell you that either Jon Bernthal or Ray Stevenson is the best live-action version of the character. But, for my money, it’s not even close. The late Ray Stevenson is by far the best version of Frank Castle, and I think it all comes down to Lexi Alexander’s direction.
This Punisher gets to scowl all the way through. He doesn’t take any glee in punishing his victims, as he just knows that it needs to be done. In fact, when he says, “Sometimes, I’d like to get my hands on God,” you get a sense that this is a Frank Castle who doesn't even want to punish his victims. It's almost like he feels like he has to - as if he’s an angel of death who regrets his fate.
Lexi Alexander gave us that Punisher - the perfect Punisher. And that's not all she gave us.
Her Version Of Jigsaw Is Also On Point
One reason I think the Thomas Jane Punisher movie stinks is that it doesn't have a solid villain, as John Travolta's Howard Saint kind of sucks (if it were up to me, Travolta would stick to movies like Phenomenon). But, do you want to know what antagonist rules? Jigsaw and P: WZ nails that character, too.
Jigsaw felt squandered in the Netflix series, but he's fantastic in P: WZ. Played by Dominic West, this Jigsaw does, in fact, feel like the polar opposite of Frank Castle, as he joyfully kills people. Like he's supposed to be, this Jigsaw acts as a distorted, mirror version of Frank, and Dominic West pulls it off with aplomb.
He’s ultraviolet, he's sadistic, and he's the perfect foil for Castle's gritty vigilante.
So, happy Women’s History Month, and happy Punisher: War Zone! See? They do fit!
