Jon Bernthal was not the first Punisher actor. From today on Disney Plus you can stream a really hard Marvel hit that came before and was even indexed. Plus some beautiful sci-fi with Brad Pitt in space.
Before Jon Bernthal in the Netflix series, Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane and then Ray Stevenson played the vigilante avenger The Punisher in adaptations of the Marvel comics. “RRR” villain Stevenson did so in “Punisher: War Zone,” which you can finally stream on Disney+ starting today.
The controversial action thriller by German director Lexi Alexander (“Hooligans”) was even indexed in the uncut version in this country for quite a while. So now you can stream it on Disney+ – but is it worth it? Opinions are divided – but actually: YES!
“PUNISHER: WAR ZONE” DIVIDES!
At the centre of Alexander’s Hollywood debut is, of course, former elite soldier Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson), who at the beginning of the plot has been terrifying crime for several years as the Punisher. The police and FBI are also after him – especially since an undercover agent was killed during his latest “clean-up” operation in a Mafia hideout. The fact that he is responsible for this death also puts a strain on the Punisher, who at the same time has to deal with the psychopathic brother duo Loony Bin Jim (Doug Hutchison) and Jigsaw (Dominic West).
The official FILMSTARTS review of “Punisher: War Zone” gives it just one star. Besides a “stupid plot”, the “disgusting morals” are criticised. The author of these lines disagrees: “Punisher: War Zone” has its strengths because Lexi Alexander unleashes the character in a way that the other adaptations did not dare to do. Hollywood handcuffs can still be felt in parts, which prevents a bigger throw, but there are really nice cracking action moments. Now, as I said, you can see for yourselves at Disney+ which side of the debate you’re on…
ALSO NEW ON DISNEY PLUS: “AD ASTRA” WITH BRAD PITT
You can now get your own picture of “Ad Astra” on the streaming service. Only a few days after the space movie just landed on Netflix, it is now also available on Disney+. Brad Pitt plays an astronaut who sets out in the near future to find his father, who disappeared in space over a decade ago. Because only he could be the key to stopping electromagnetic storms that threaten humanity.
The FILMSTARTS review gives four out of five stars to this “thoroughly unique” science fiction film. “Ad Astra” is a feast for the eyes – with a very idiosyncratic pacing by acclaimed director James Gray (“The Sunken City of Z”). Not everything will be able to do anything with it, so we assume it will also split you in two between “boring” and “outstanding”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsCNKuB93BA
