Punisher: First Round

It's hard to judge independent movies like you would a regular feature film. Obviously, there are some issues with acting and effects, but I enjoyed it because it captured the essence of The Punisher. The two movie versions could not do that. The opening title with the comic book is awesome! I have to admit, with the two Christmas music choices I felt like I was watching Die-hard (same music used in the opening sequence). I liked some of the dialogue (what am I on mute?), but like it's been said on the boards, Punisher spoke too much. I met Cory at the Comic-con in Chicago and that's how I heard about this movie and of course bought it there. He has a genuine appreciation for the characters of Punisher and Wolverine and he's a comic fan like the rest of us who wants to see a good Punisher movie like all of us do. Basically, most Punisher fans should enjoy it for it's attempt to bring Punisher back to his rawness, even if it lacks in the acting and effects department. By the way, the women are hot!!!!

Much as I liked the Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane versions of The Punisher, there was always something missing, from the first film there was a lack of dark humour that was always present in the comic character, from the second there was attempting to stuff too much into the film from the comic, meaning it swung from gritty to funny and back again without warning, unbalancing the film.

Corey Sosner's film First Round manages to significantly show up both films in a short 12 minutes. The necessarily swift pace and brutal action mirrors the comic, the Punisher's route up the ladder of the underworld needing little explanation or dialogue - they're bad guys, he's big and mean with a skull on his chest - nuff said.

The addition of the character of Wolverine, a long time/some time combatant and some time ally of the comic character, will appeal to the comic fans who thought Hugh Jackman a little too clean, tall and slender to be the sideburned one.

Sosner's short seems to scream 'look what I can and could do'. The use of comic frames showing the Punisher's origins over the credits and the slightly 'video game' look to some of the special effects illustrate effective innovation, but also show the possibilities and potential of Sosner as an actor and director, given sufficient funding.

I will be looking forward to second round, third round etc, lets hope that this fight goes the distance!

I saw this movie this past weekend when I acquired the DVD at Wizard World Boston. If you want to see a movie that truly catches the essence of the punisher books: SEE THIS MOVIE! It has everything any one would ever want in a Punisher film. As much as I enjoyed the Thomas Jane version, I think I'd recommend this more to my friends. Fast paced action, loads of violence, gorgeous dames, and one the best match ups in comic-film history. Sosner's portrayal as Castle is dead on and totally bad-ass. The editing makes this 15 minute thrill ride loads of fun. And like most, I was so skeptical about this movie. Most fan films are shoddily done, but this is right up there with Worlds Finest or Grayson. Check it out as soon as you can.

Punisher: First Round is a great film, with all the action quality a hero movie must have. Really it was the first time that i see the real punisher on screen. A nice story events that leads (anti)heroes on crash course, non stopping action and villains united. This movie really rocks, Punisher on "punishment mode", blood and bullets. The characters are in good looking way. It's like a comic book screenplay. The bullets on the punisher belt are a nice added from the visual of the punisher. Also the making off, that is available, is a very cool reporting for the film. Looks like a "war journal" film-making. The dude begging for help is fun. The movie really fulfill the expectation about the punisher himself, not a drunken dude or a mental disturbed man prayer.

Excellent film!

Well I was really excited about seeing this as Punisher and Wolverine are some of my favourite characters. The whole VS thing is a fantastic idea in the world of comics and to have them turned into films is a great idea but this film just doesn't cut it. The acting is very poor and there is something about The Punisher that I really didn't like, maybe the constant talking through all of it. Even for a low budget film it wasn't very good. I help my friend out with films and I would even go as far as to say that ours are much better than this, at a cost of £10 too.

If you want to see a good Punisher/Wolverine fight I suggest reading the comic.