The Punisher

release year: 1989
genre: action
viewing setting: home DVD, 6/6/03

synopsis: Ex-cop who survives his family's murder becomes a one-man executioner of criminals.

impressions: I'd seen this many years ago, but what I'd forgotten was just how high its body count is: 88 confirmed kills! Rejoice, slaughter fans - this is your movie. Things worth seeing here: Yakuza, secret underground casino, martial arts dojo, M60 with shotgun attached underneath, annoying lady partner who can do anything with a computer, stretching torture racks, hot evil henchwoman, deadly diner, bus hijacking and chase.

things to watch for: Any of the big fights: mansion at beginning, boat shortly thereafter, skyscraper at end.

something this movie has that no other movie has: a fight with machine-gun-wielding ninjas at Coney Island

acting: Dolph Lundgren does okay in the action scenes and even the regular acting, but the lines he was given for the brooding voiceovers just sucked. Louis Gossett Jr. and some woman were good in cop supporting roles. Jurgen Prochnow did a good job as the head gangster, as did the woman who played the head Yakuza.

final word: Lots of mayhem, via fist, gun, and blade.

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