Lionsgate is hoping it’s third time lucky for the Punisher franchise as Punisher: War Zone marks the latest attempt of bringing the skull-fronted, gun-toting vigilante to the big screen.

While this latest shot at launching the character is by far the most enjoyable and faithful – it’s not a challenge given the special variety of turd the Dolph Lundgren version was – it still has a way to go before it gives Batman or Spider-Man a run for their sizeable current accounts.

The life of the Punisher, aka Frank Castle, is dark and brutal – he’s spurred by the death of his family, revenge and punishing crime. Yet so much hatred and violence could only be approached with a camp, over-the-top, skull-crushing style.

The problem with adapting the comic is the balance between hardcore, frat-boy slavering violence and sympathetic anti-hero. This is what the film adaptation so far have failed to balance on their muscular arms. Tom Jane was too much sorrow not enough head-kicking. This adaptation goes the opposite way – faces are punched in, kidneys chewed on and heads decapitated. As much fun as that is (and it is fun!) the lack of backstory or emotion gives an unfocused, slightly blasé feel.

Ray Stevenson does an admirable job and brings the suitable brawn to the role with little else to chew on. Meanwhile Dominic West (From the superb The Wire) playing disfigured Jigsaw channels Jack Nicholson to become the hammy comic-book villain of the year.

They are supported by a decent enough stock supporting characters – tough cop, comic relief cop, and moral compass friend – but the action is squarely what the film relies on. Fortunately the Punisher doses this out at regular intervals and, with an impressive mix of practical effects, stunt work and enough exploding squibs to fill ten Die Hard films, it definitely doesn’t disappoint.

Punisher will never get a faithful film adaptation; the source material is too dark and unflinchingly menacing to appeal to any mainstream audience. Director Lexi Alexander understands that the only way a Punisher film can appeal is to make it excessive, mildly comic and with plenty of red on the colour palette. It may not be a work of art but it certainly delivers plenty of bang for your buck – roughly about 157 bullets per pound.

Extras:

The DVD features a decent commentary and some interesting but short documentaries on the look of the villain, the stunts and the film itself. It seemed like a lot of fun making it so it’s a shame it couldn’t be more in-depth to reflect that.

You! Follow hecklerspray on Twitter!

You! Follow hecklerspray on Twitter!