I adore everything about this film - plot, locations, characters, dark atmosphere. Dolph Lundgren is not a great actor but he was brilliant in this role. Dark hair suited him so well.
Lady Tanaka was a perfect villainess too
I appreciate it for these exact same reasons. Not great by any means, and for a Punisher adaptation, it is arguably the least faithful of all three movies (still has a certain grit to it that the more popular Thomas Jane movie lacks). Regardless, the movie is enjoyable, well-paced, and it is perhaps the atmospheric of all three Punisher movies. Dolph does a respectable job in the role, too. So despite its flaws, I can’t say that it isn’t a worthwhile movie. It’s solid.
As for my favorite? The Jane one used to be my favorite, however I find myself becoming less impressed with Jane’s portrayal and the movie’s overall tone. His performance is, in all fairness, very good, but as far as I see it he fails to represent who The Punisher really is. The writing is to blame here, I guess, but still he doesn’t come off anywhere near as brooding and PUNISHING as Jon Bernthal - and even Ray Stevenson - flawlessly depicts him. And apart from having a 70’s vibe, it fails to feel any different from your average revenge thriller. Out of all three movies though, it’s the most competently-made, memorable, and serious one.
So is the 2004 one my favorite? Idk, maybe. If I’m being honest, I appreciate the ludicrous WarZone the most — mainly for how true it stays to the character’s unrelenting viciousness (Max series in particular). Granted the villains and violence becomes cartoonish, yet the movie’s look and tone just feels right. And as I previously indicated, Stevenson’s portrayal is on point. That said, can’t wait to see more of the current Punisher. Bernthal unequivocally owns the role.