Punisher: War Zone
Metascore
30 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 24
  3. Negative: 12 out of 24
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  1. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: David Hiltbrand
    38
    The acting is better than the script deserves and Lexi Alexander's cut-to-the-hearse direction lends the film considerable kick.
  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    38
    The dialogue is beyond clichéd, and performances feel cobbled together from other movies.
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    38
    If most December movie releases are epic-length and Oscar-ambitious, then Punisher: War Zone has to be considered Hobbesian counterprogramming: It's nasty, brutish, and short.
  4. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not credited)
    38
    A disappointingly schlocky effort that gives up on trying to make a realistic Punisher movie, settling instead on a hokey, multi-colored-neon gun rave best enjoyed in Rob Zombie's family room.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    30
    So unrelentingly violent that all but teen boys might as well stay home.
  6. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    30
    This awful sequel dispenses with any such pretense, its cartoonish characters running an endless gauntlet of hypergruesome violence.
  7. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Sean Axmaker
    25
    There is no stylistic thrill to this blunt object of a callous action film. It's content to bludgeon the audience into numb resignation.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    25
    This is junk, a bunch of hard-R action scenes kept together by the thinnest of plots.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    20
    Does it have to be so witless, so stupid, so openly contemptuous of the very audience it’s supposed to be pandering to?
  10. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Michael O'Sullivan
    20
    Anyone with a modicum of good sense -- or a weak stomach -- will take it as a warning to stay the heck away from this literally and figuratively deadly "War Zone."
  11. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    0
    With its dopey fight scenes, grimy look and goopy gore, this movie is so far from ept that inept is the wrong word. It's anti-ept.
  12. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Michael Sragow
    0
    All Alexander proves in Punisher: War Movie is that a martial-arts-trained woman can make a film just as stupid, coarse and numbing as any muscle man.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 43
  3. Negative: 9 out of 43
  1. Longbottom94
    5
    Ray Stevenson and a few ridiculously funny scenes can't completely save this rather dull and forgettable movie. Although some poeple were not fond of the previous film, I found some interesting aspects that kept my interest. This is just cinematic chewing gum, quite enjoyable while its on but has no lasting impressions what-so-ever. I can only recommend this to die hard Punisher fans.… Full Review »
  2. GeorgeM
    5
    First, off...its better than the first attempt...but not by much. The first Punisher film (IMO) was horribly miscast and was totally lacking in substance and character...this version of the Punisher stays true to the brutality and "no nonsense" of the Punisher character himself...but its thrown in with some of the most over the top, gratuitous "action" ive ever seen in a movie...it will probably tickle your funny-bone more than it will raise your pulse. One thing they nailed was the casting of the Punisher...Ray Stevenson walks the walk and talks the talk...and has the "look" down to a T and unlike the first film, this movie has a Punisher that truly has NO problems dispatching the guilty without remorse (as the Punisher character should)...but the weak story tarnishes this. There is a story...its just not in the least bit interesting, which is fine, because i dont think this film was going for anything "thought worthy"...but more "balls to the wall". Dominic West plays a decent enough villain...and he plays the character well, seemingly having a good time being a slimy, tough talking mob boss...obsessed with his looks (his accent during some of the dialog gave me a HUGE chuckle). If you are looking for something action packed, story-less, and hammy then this will be your "cotton candy" for an evening...cant recommend as a buy however. Overall...its worth a look...if anything, just to watch something loud and dumb which is nice from time to time...but to also see a potentially cool Punisher character...and afterwards, you can wonder what wouldve have happened had they gotten it right...oh well. Recommened as a RENTAL… Full Review »
  3. Captain_Kirk
    7
    Where the 2004 'Punisher' movie was more focused on a revenge-fueled story rather than blood-fueled carnage, 'Punisher: War Zone' flips the table completely. While there is a story to be found in here, this sequel undoubtedly works more as an action film than it's predecessor. I didn't find it as good as the first film, but I did enjoy it nonetheless. The action and violence may turn some off, but I was enjoying myself as The Punisher was blowing people to bits and destroying faces with the might of his fist.… Full Review »
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