Aug 15 2008'Punisher' Might Lose Only Thing Keeping it Mildly Watchable
Whether you thought the red-band trailer looked bad-ass or like an embarrassing straight-to-DVD knock-off with none of the usual low-budget gore charm, the overall consensus on Punisher seemed to be that if it does prove itself entertaining, that value will be based solely on the gratuitous, insane violence. I mean, if you take away all the chairs violently shoved in eye-holes, what's left? Answer: a probably awful movie without any chairs violently shoved in eye-holes. But that may be exactly what we'll get, with Lionsgate reportedly pushing for a PG-13 rating:
One of my contacts deep within the bowels of Hollywood and close to the Punisher: War Zone project (source will not be named. Sorry!) told me today that the big fight over the Punisher project is Lionsgate wants a PG-13 cut to be released.Lionsgate can always say, "This was never intended to be PG-13. We always had an R rating in mind." but I trust Hollywood as far as I can throw it. I'm sure there's some Lionsgate exec thinking this film can do what The Dark Knight has done with a PG-13 rating.
Of course, this is all just rumor for now, but I think it's probably a bad sign that they're reportedly also changing the title from Punisher: War Zone to Punisher: Lazer Tag Adventure.
Lionsgate Wants A PG-13 Punisher: War Zone? [Latino Review]
Reader Comments
1. jeramey - August 15, 2008 2:48 PM
i think the R rating needs to stay
and possibly he needs to kill some naked bitches just to ensure the R rating
2. Rod - August 15, 2008 2:58 PM
Alright, Watcher, I argued with your red band post, but I agree here. The Punisher does not work in anything less than an R rating. It's taking away the one thing that made the comic great. I'm less than enthused, now.
3. Mr. Mason - August 15, 2008 3:01 PM
What the hell is the point? Is he just going to give his enemies a strong shove so they'll fall over and lie still? While The Dark Knight was able to get away with a lot of graphic imagery for a comic book movie, this ain't even close.
4. Count Orlock - August 15, 2008 3:07 PM
First the Max Payne movie gets a PG-13 rating and now fucking Punisher?!
Wtf are they thinking...you can't a hyper graphic idea like The Punisher and make it PG-13...
5. 1manarmy - August 15, 2008 3:12 PM
The Punisher is an extremely violent comic book what worked in the Dark Knight wont work here. The trailer alone was a hard R.
6. Nyck - August 15, 2008 4:25 PM
I was mildly interested in seeing this because it looked like a true capture of the punisher's mindset. Not so if they make it PG-13....if that's the case enjoy your week long stay in the theater and your 1.5 million dollar opening.
7. Morono - August 15, 2008 4:40 PM
whos stupid srsly wtf...
8. ryan - August 15, 2008 4:58 PM
i think if he choked a pimp with a bag of coke we might get the r rating we want...
9. Eddie - August 15, 2008 7:35 PM
Well I do not think I will be watching this movie now.
10. Ans - August 18, 2008 12:52 AM
ah dicks. Frank Castle wouldn't know what to do with himself if he lived in a universe restricted by a PG-13 rating.
11. Steve-o - August 18, 2008 9:14 AM
Nothing says "Cinematic Appeal" like a chair leg through an eye-socket. Bravo Hollywood, Bravo.
12. Devilsrain - August 18, 2008 10:09 AM
Thomas Jane was right for leaving this pile of crap movie.....
13. NastyBedazzler - August 19, 2008 2:50 PM
Wow Lionsgate has lost it completely.
I wonder if they're planning a sequel to Open Water because I don't think that would even surprise me after reading this.
But truth be told I probably wouldn't pay to see this movie either way.